Aloes/Sandalwood — Santalum album) It is believed that aloes of the Bible may have
been fragrant sandalwood, a spice accessible to the residents of ancient Palestine.
“And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and
brought a mixture of myrrh and Aloes, about an hundred pound weight.” (John 19:39)

 

Cassia — (Cinnamomum cassia) Cassia was a key ingredient in the temple incense.
“All thy garments smell of myrrh, and ales, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces,
whereby they have made thee glad.” (Psalms 45:8) 

 

Cedarwood — (Cedrus atlantica) From the mighty “Cedars of Lebanon” came the fra
grant and long-lasting wood used to build Solomon’s temple. “And he spake of trees,
from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the
wall.” (1 Kings 4:33)

 

Cypress — (Cupressus sempervirens) This oil is extracted from the cypress tree, which
has wood so durable that the cypress doors of St. Peter’s in Rome show no sign of decay even after 1,200 years. “He herewith him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and
the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest.” (Isaiah
44:14)

 

Frankincense — (Olibanum — Boswellia carteri) The Hebrew word for frankincense,
Levonah (sometimes translated as “incense”), is in the Bible 22 times. “Who is this that
cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?” (Song of Solomon 3:6)

 

Galbanum — (Ferula gummosa) This oil has a pungent, balsamic odor. “And the Lord
said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum;
these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each there shall be a like weight.”
(Exodus 30:34)

 

Hyssop — (Hyssopus officinalis) In 1975 one writer suggested 18 different plants for
the biblical hyssop. While the exact variety may not be known, an anticeptic or cleansing property is suggested because it was employed in many purification rites. “Purge
me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
(Psalms 51:7)

 

Myrrh — (Commiphora myrrha) Myrrh was used in burial and was highly regarded by
David and Solomon. It was one of the ingredients of the holy anointing oil. I have per
fumed my bed with myrrh, and aloes, and cinnamon.” (Proverbs 7:17)

 

Myrtle — (myrtus communis) Myrtle branches are still used by Jews for the Feast of
Tabernacles. “Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches,
and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths,
as it is written.” (Nehemiah 8:15)

 

Onycha — (Styrax benzoin) Onycha (‘Oh-nigh-kah’) was an ingredient in the holy
anointing oil: “And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and
onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there
be a like weight.” (Exodus 30:34)

 

Rose of Sharon/Cistus — Labdanum — Cistus ladanifer) This beautiful rose has a soft
honey-like scent and may be the small shrubby tree called the rose of Sharon. “I am the
rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley.” (Song of Solomon 2:1)

 

Spikenard — (Nardostachys jatamansi) A very expensive oil, spikenard was sealed in
alabaster boxes. “And [Jesus] being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he
sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard,
very precious, and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.” (Mark 14:3)