Apothecary
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Apothecary in the Bible?
An apothecary was a merchant or preparer of ointments, spices, and medicinal compounds, a role referenced eight times in the Old Testament and Apocrypha within English translations, where the Revised Version often clarifies the term as 'perfumer' to emphasize the preparation of aromatic substances.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the function of the apothecary illuminates the economic and ritual dimensions of biblical narratives, demonstrating how costly spices and medicinal ointments served simultaneously as luxury commodities and vital health resources in the ancient Near East.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Apothecary in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Apothecary clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.