Bible Question: What is the new testament relevance of the scents and fragrances in this book? |
Bible Answer: Hello Crysty! Song of Solomon 1:12; 4:13,14 "perfume" (or "spikenard" in NKJV) See Mark 14:3; John 12:3 1:13; 3:6; 4:6,14; 5:1,5,13 "myrrh" - See Esther 2:12, Proverbs 7:17, Psalm 45:8, Exodus 30:23 and Matthew 2:2,11. 1:14; 4:13 "henna blooms" A shrub of the Holy Land whose white, spring blossoms give off a fragrant scent. I cannot find a NT reference. 2:1 "rose of Sharon" Probably a bulb flower like crocus, narcissus, iris or daffodil growing in the low country (plain of Sharon), south of Mt. Carmel. I cannot find this at any other place in the Bible. 2:3,5; 7:8; 8:5 "apple" an aromatic, sweet fruit, possibly an apricot. I cannot find a NT reference. 3:6; 4:6,14 "frankincense" or "scented powders", see Exodus 30:34, Matthew 2:2,11. 4:10,14,16; 5:1,13; 6:2; 8:14 "spices" - the sweet smelling oil from the balsam, see John 19:39. 7:13 "mandrakes" - a pungently fragrant herb considered to be an aphrodisiac (Gen. 30:14). For more on "mandrakes", such use the "Search" function to the right and type in 'mandrake'. I hope this helps! Nolan Sources: Zondervan's NASB Study Bible and The MacArthur NKJV Study Bible used "in concert" and in cooperation with each other. :) |