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Spikenard (Nerd, νάρδος)

From: Concise Bible Dictionary: S By: George A. Morrish

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A plant that grows in India: so called, it is said, because of the spikes that grow out of its roots. Its root and leaves are imported. A costly ointment was made of it, giving off a sweet perfume (Song of Sol. 1:12¹²While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. (Song of Solomon 1:12); Song of Sol. 4:13-14¹³Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, ¹⁴Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: (Song of Solomon 4:13‑14); Mark 14:3³And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. (Mark 14:3); John 12:3³Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. (John 12:3)). It has been identified with the Nardostachys jatamansi.

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Nardostachys Jatamansi

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Concise Bible Dictionary: S

• Soul, Spirit

• South Ramoth

• Sower, Sowing

• Sparrow (Tsippor, στρουθίον)

• Spikenard (Nerd, νάρδος)

• Spirit, the Holy

• Star-Gazers

• Star in the East

• Star, the Morning