Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(smear). Highly prized, and made of perfumes in oil. For uses, see Oil.
Concise Bible Dictionary:
Except in Exodus 30:25 (where the Hebrew words are mishchah and roqach, and may be translated “an oil of holy ointment, a perfume”), and in 1 Chronicles 9:30 and Job 41:31 (where the words are derived from roqach), the Hebrew word is shemen, which is constantly translated “oil.” It is used for “fatness, oil, spiced oil,” and hence “ointment,” with which on joyful occasions the head was anointed (Psa. 133:2), and is elsewhere called: “the oil of gladness” (Psa. 45:7; compare Prov. 27:9,16; Eccl. 7:1; Eccl. 9:8; Amos 6:6). As an emollient it was applied to wounds or bruises (Isa. 1:6). In the New Testament the word is μύρον, “oil mingled with fragrant spices,” with such Mary anointed the Lord, and its perfume filled the house (John 12:3,5); it was also used by a woman “which was a sinner” (Luke 7:37-38). The ointment would be more or less costly according to the ingredients.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Meaning:
probably of foreign origin (compare 4753, 4666); "myrrh", i.e. (by implication) perfumed oil