Aloes

Biblical aloes were a costly, fragrant substance, often named with myrrh and cinnamon as a perfume for garments and beds. Many scholars think the aloes of the Old Testament were aloeswood, an aromatic tree from southern Asia, while some think the aloes Nicodemus brought may have been the succulent aloe plant; the evidence is not certain. Balaam pictured Israel's tents spreading out 'as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted.' At Jesus' burial Nicodemus brought 'a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight,' an extravagant gift of honor.

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Strongest connections in Scripture

John 19 Psalms 45

Key Passages

Myrrh and Aloes for His Burial

John 19:38-40

Nicodemus, who once came to Jesus by night, now openly honors his body with costly spices.

A³⁸nd after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

³⁹ 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. ⁴⁰ Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Myrrh, and Aloes, and Cassia

Psalms 45:6-8

A royal wedding psalm pictures the anointed king's garments fragrant with aloes, a psalm Hebrews applies to Christ.

T⁶hy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

⁷ Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. ⁸ All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.