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What does "Perfume" mean in the Bible?

The use of perfumery to give an agreeable odor to the person and apparel is and ever has been, widely prevalent in Eastern countries. Perfume appears in 9 verses across 4 books of the Bible.

What does the Bible say about Perfume?

PER'FUME. Ex 30:35. The use of perfumery to give an agreeable odor to the person and apparel is and ever has been, widely prevalent in Eastern countries. In the passage cited, however, the composition which is called a perfume was to be used in the tabernacle service. The composition of it is prescribed with great particularity, and the making or using it for any other purpose was forbidden under severe penalties. It is of little importance what the ingredients were, or what was specially denoted in the manner of using it. It had its value as a test of obedience, and may have had some significancy to the view which we cannot appreciate. The "art of the apothecary," after or according to which the compound was to be made, probably consisted quite as much in the preparation of perfumes as in the sale of drugs and medicines. See Incense.

Definition text: Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible · 1898. Public domain.

Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.

What is the Greek word for Perfume?

Greek · G3464

μύρον

muron

ointment

TBESG, from Abbott-Smith (1922). Public domain.

Where does Perfume appear in the Bible?

Perfume is referenced in 9 verses across 4 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.

John 3Luke 3Matthew 2Mark 1

What else appears in these passages?

These turn up in the same passages as Perfume.

MaryWomanLazarusJesusPoorFeet

Common questions

How many times does the Bible mention Perfume?

Perfume appears in 9 verses across 4 books, most often in John, which accounts for 3 of them.

Which books of the Bible mention Perfume?

John, Luke, Matthew, Mark.

Where can I read every verse about Perfume?

This page lists 9 of them. Protos carries all 9, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.

Read it in context

Read John with "Perfume" explained on the verse.

Tap any name, place, or word you do not recognize and the background opens on the verse you are reading. No second tab, no search, no losing your place.

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