Encyclopedia entry
Aloes
(Heb. ‘ahalim), a fragrant wood (Num. 24:6; Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17; Cant. 4:14), the Aquilaria agallochum of botanists, or, as some suppose, the costly gum or perfume extracted from the wood. It is found in China, Siam, and Northern India, and grows to the height sometimes of 120 feet. This species is of great rarity even in India. There is another and more common species, called by Indians aghil, whence Europeans have given it the name of Lignum aquile, or eagle-wood. Aloewood was used by the Egyptians for embalming dead bodies. Nicodemus brought it (pounded aloe-wood) to embalm the body of Christ (John 19:39); but whether this was the same as that mentioned elsewhere is uncertain.
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The bitter aloes of the apothecary is the dried juice of the leaves Aloe vulgaris.
In the Bible
5
Verses where Aloes is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- John 19:39
Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
- Numbers 24:6
They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
- Proverbs 7:17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.
- Psalms 45:8
All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad.
- Song of Solomon 4:14
with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.
Scripture on Aloes
5
Entries that reference Aloes
1
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.