Ointment in Scripture

Ointment in Scripture
Ointment in Scripture
• That the use of oily, fragrant materials to anoint the body is a custom going back to remote antiquity is evidenced by the Old Testament as well as other early literatures. . .

Catholic Encyclopedia. . 2006.

Ointment in Scripture
    Ointment in Scripture
    † Catholic_Encyclopedia ► Ointment in Scripture
    That the use of oily, fragrant materials to anoint the body is a custom going back to remote antiquity is evidenced by the Old Testament as well as other early literatures. Likewise the ceremonial and sacred use of oil and ointment was of early origin among the Hebrews, and, of course, was much elaborated in the prescriptions of the later ritual. The particularly rich unguent known as the "holy oil of unction" is frequently referred to in the "priestly" sections of the Pentateuch and in Paralipomenon. Its composition is minutely prescribed in Exodus, xxx, 23, 24. Besides the regular basis of olive oil, the other ingredients mentioned are chosen myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, and cassia, all of which are to be used in stated quantities. The making or the use of this holy oil by unauthorized persons was prohibited under pain of sacrilege. In many of the references to ointment in Scripture perfumed oil is meant, and it may have in some cases consisted of oil only. Oil and ointment however, are distinguished in Luke vii, 46: "My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she with ointment hath anointed my feet." Identical or similar preparations, in which myrrh was an important ingredient, were used in anointing the dead body as well as the living subject (Luke, xxiii, 56). Ointment of spikenard, a very costly unguent, is mentioned in Mark, xiv, 3, "an alabaster box of ointment of precious spikenard" (cf. John, xii, 3). So prized were these unguents that they were kept in pots of alabaster, and among the Egyptians they were said to retain their fragrance even for centuries. For the oil spoken of by St. James, v, 14, see Extreme Unction.
    Wilkinson, Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians,, I (Boston, 1883), 426; Lesetre in Vigouroux, Dict. de la Bible, s.v. Onction.
    JAMES F. DRISCOLL
    Transcribed by Lawrence Progel

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VIII. — New York: Robert Appleton Company. . 1910.


Catholic encyclopedia.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Confirmation — • Describes its origin from Biblical texts and how it has been handed down through the ages. The rite is briefly described, and the minister, matter, form, recipient, effects, necessity and sponsors are detailed Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • biblical literature — Introduction       four bodies of written works: the Old Testament writings according to the Hebrew canon; intertestamental works, including the Old Testament Apocrypha; the New Testament writings; and the New Testament Apocrypha.       The Old… …   Universalium

  • Judas Iscariot — • The Apostle who betrayed Jesus Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Judas Iscariot     Judas Iscariot     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Clement of Alexandria — Saint Clement of Alexandria Church Father Born ca. 150 Athens Died ca. 215 217 Cappadocia …   Wikipedia

  • High Priest —     The High Priest     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The High Priest     The high priest in the Old Testament is called by various names:     ♦ the priest (Num., iii, 6);     ♦ the great priest (Lev., xxi, 10);     ♦ the head priest (IV Kings, xxv,… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • The High Priest —     The High Priest     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The High Priest     The high priest in the Old Testament is called by various names:     ♦ the priest (Num., iii, 6);     ♦ the great priest (Lev., xxi, 10);     ♦ the head priest (IV Kings, xxv,… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Aaron — This article is about Aaron the Levite in the Hebrew Bible, the Qu ran, and other sources. For other uses of the word Aaron, see Aaron (disambiguation). In the Bible, Aaron ( he. אַהֲרֹן), or Aaron the Levite (אהרֹן הלוי), was the brother of… …   Wikipedia

  • Ark of the Covenant — The Ark of the Covenant (). Rashi and some Midrashim suggest that there were two arks a temporary one made by Moses, and a later one made by Bezalel.Hertz 1936] The Biblical account relates that during the trip of the Israelites, the Ark was… …   Wikipedia

  • Anointing of the Sick — is distinguished from other forms of religious anointing or unction (an older term with the same meaning) in that it is intended, as its name indicates, for the benefit of a sick person. Other religious anointings occur in relation to other… …   Wikipedia

  • Witchcraft — For other uses, see Witchcraft (disambiguation). Witch redirects here. For other uses, see Witch (disambiguation). The classic image of the witch astride a besom broom …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”