Greek word · G759
ἄρωμα
arōma
spices
Arōma: any aromatic substance, such as spices, resins or fragrant plant matter, often dry. Myron: a perfumed oil or ointment, usually liquid or semi-liquid, made by steeping aromatics in olive oil. In burial both were used to honour the body and to mask the smell of decay.
Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
- Range of meaning
Arōma: any aromatic substance, such as spices, resins or fragrant plant matter, often dry. Myron: a perfumed oil or ointment, usually liquid or semi-liquid, made by steeping aromatics in olive oil. In burial both were used to honour the body and to mask the smell of decay.
- Against the English
KJV, WEB and ESV say "spices and ointments." BSB, NIV and NASB say "spices and perfumes." "Perfumes" is a fair translation, but a modern reader may picture fragrance for the living. The pairing is about anointing a corpse.
- How it drifted
Modern "perfume" means personal fragrance; ancient myron had a wider range that included anointing oil for the dead.
- Used elsewhere in the period
John 19:39–40 describes Nicodemus bringing about a hundred Roman pounds of myrrh and aloes, with the body wrapped in linen "with the spices (arōmata), as is the burial custom of the Jews." Mark 16:1 has the women buying arōmata "so that they might go and anoint him." Myron is the ointment poured on Jesus by the woman in Luke 7:37–38.
- Range of meaning
A fragrant substance: aromatic herbs, resins and perfumed oils or ointments, used in incense, perfume, medicine and the care of the dead.
- Against the English
KJV "sweet spices" and modern "spices" make many readers think of the kitchen spice rack. The Greek means scent, not flavor. These were perfumed burial substances, probably including oils, since the women plan to rub them on.
- How it drifted
English "spice" once broadly meant aromatic goods traded from the East. It has narrowed to food seasoning.
- Used elsewhere in the period
In the Septuagint it is used for perfumed goods and incense ingredients (e.g. 2 Kgs 20:13; Song 4:10, 14). John 19:39–40 uses it for Nicodemus's huge amount of myrrh and aloes and calls this "the burial custom of the Jews". Luke 23:56 and 24:1 use it for the women's preparations.
Where it appears
Mark · 1
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Mark 16:1 ἀρώματα spices
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus.
Here: Sweet-smelling substances such as perfumed oils, resins and ointments (myrrh and the like) used to honor a corpse and cover the smell of decay. They are not cooking spices.
Luke · 2
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Luke 23:56 ἀρώματα spices
Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.
Here: Fragrant materials, often dry or resinous (such as myrrh, aloes or nard), laid with a body to honour it and to cover the smell of decay.
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Luke 24:1 ἀρώματα spices
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.
John · 1
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John 19:40 ἀρωμάτων, spices,
So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.