the Third Week of Advent
Click here to learn more!
Bible Dictionaries
Spices
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament
or SPICES (Lat. species).—The word denotes primarily the kind of a thing, a sample or specimen of anything. Then it means a certain touch or taste of something. More definitely, it denotes any aromatic or pungent substance. In general, spices are aromatic condiments used for seasoning food, or fragrant ointments used as perfumes. In the NT the term is used in both of these senses; and, in a few cases, it has a somewhat wider meaning.
In the Gospels there are several words used to describe various kinds of spices. It is scarcely possible to classify them. See artt. Myrrh, Frankincense, Nard, Spikenard, Mint, Anise, Cummin, Rue.
Spices (Gr. ἀρώματα, Lat. aromata) are mentioned in Mark 16:1, Luke 23:56; Luke 24:1, John 19:40. We have here probably a general term to denote the mixed spices used in embalming the bodies of the dead.
Francis R. Beattie.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Hastings, James. Entry for 'Spices'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdn/s/spices.html. 1906-1918.
