FRAGRANCE
The Israelites made great use of perfumes and scented oils to care for their hair and body (Eccl. 7:1; 9:8; Est. 2:12).
Aloes, cassia, cinnamon, myrrh, frankincense, spikenard, well cultivated in the Jordan Valley, well imported from Arabia and other places, served as a base for perfumes (Sir. 24:15).
Aromatic plants were carried in bags (Song 1:13); They were also pulverized or burned (Song 3:6). The aromatic essence, obtained by distillation, was placed in small boxes that were hung from the waist; Mixed with oil, this essence was sometimes used as an ointment (Is. 3:20; Song 1:3; John 12:3).
The perfumes were mixed (Ex. 30:23, 24; Jn. 19:39). They were applied to the body, clothing, and even furniture (Ps. 45:8; Pr. 7:17; Song 4:11).
The balm of Gilead and eye drops were used in medicine (Jer. 8:22; Rev. 3:18).
Jesus was anointed with perfumes of great price (Lk. 7:36-50; Mt. 26:6-13). To bury a deceased, perfumes and aromatic spices were used; Sometimes, although more rarely, corpses were embalmed (Lk. 23:56; Jn. 19:39-40).
The ointments of Palestine were made from perfumed olive oil (cf. 2 Kings 20:13; Pr. 27:9; Eccl. 10:1; Song 4:10; Is. 57:9; Am. 6 :6). (See BALM.)
Special consideration deserves sacred incense, “a perfume according to the art of the perfumer” (Ex. 30:35) to be burned in the Tabernacle. It was composed of stacte, aromatic nail, aromatic galbanum and pure incense in equal parts by weight. No one could prepare it for private uses, under penalty of death (Ex. 30:34-38).
Typologically, it represents the excellencies of Christ, which were an incense of a pleasant smell to God.