by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: February 26, 2007   Last Updated: May 04, 2007

SPICES IN SCRIPTURE

Seeking a deeper meaning in your daily cooking? Did you know that several familiar spices and herbs have a biblical history?

Here are many popular spices, along with their biblical names and Scriptural citations.

ALOE

Aloe, listed biblically as ahalim, was used in ancient times to prepare a body for burial.

This biblical spice is found in John 19:39: "[Joseph of Arimathea] was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds."

ANISE

Anise, listed biblically as anethon, is also known as cummin. This biblical spice was viewed as a valuable commodity in New Testament times.

Matthew 23:23 mentions this: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spicesmint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the lawjustice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

BALM

Balm, listed biblically as tsori, was a comfort remedy.

Jeremiah 46:11 mentions this biblical spice: "Go up to Gilead and get balm, O Virgin Daughter of Egypt. But you multiply remedies in vain; there is no healing for you."

BAY LEAF

Bay leaf, a perennially popular herb, is listed biblically as ezrah.

This biblical spice appears in Psalm 37:35: "I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green [bayleaf] tree in its native soil."

CINNAMON

Cinnamon, listed biblically as cinnamon, was part of Moses' sacred anointing oil for the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony, the holy objects, and the high priests.

Exodus 30:22-24 mentions this biblical spice: "Then the LORD said to Moses, Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 500 shekels of cassiaall according to the sanctuary shekeland a hin of olive oil.'"

CORIANDER

Coriander is listed biblically as gad.

This biblical spice is described in Exodus 16:31 as similar in hue to heavenly manna: "The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey."

CUMIN

Cumin, listed biblically as kamon, is a Mediterranean herb in the parsley family.

This biblical spice is described in Isaiah 28:27, along with caraway: "Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is a cartwheel rolled over cummin; caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cummin with a stick."

FRANKINCENSE

Frankincense,

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