Ointment
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Ointment in the Bible?
Ointment denotes a thick, perfumed oil preparation, typically utilizing olive oil as a base, into which various aromatic resins and spices were infused for application to the body.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the composition and use of ointments clarifies the practical and symbolic roles of hospitality, healing, and royal or priestly consecration depicted in biblical narratives.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Ointment were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Ointment in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ointment clarify?
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Ointment." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ointment/