What is Spikenard in the Bible?
Spikenard is an aromatic oil mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in the New Testament. It was a very precious and expensive oil in ancient times, mentioned alongside other valuable oils like myrrh and frankincense. Understanding the significance and uses of spikenard in the Bible provides insight into biblical cultures and the meaning of certain passages.
The oil called “spikenard” or “pure nard” in the Bible is derived from a plant in the valerian family called Nardostachys jatamansi. It is native to the Himalayan mountains in India and Nepal. The oil is extracted from the roots and rhizomes of the plant through steam distillation. It has a strong, earthy and musky aroma. In the ancient world, spikenard was used both for its fragrance and for its medicinal properties. It was likely imported to Israel and the Middle East along spice trade routes coming from India.
Spikenard in the Old Testament
Spikenard is mentioned specifically only once in the Old Testament, in the Song of Solomon. The book poetically describes spikenard within a passage Laden with vivid romantic imagery: “While the king was at his table, my spikenard gave forth its fragrance. My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts. My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi.” (Song of Solomon 1:12-14). Here, spikenard’s luxurious and sensual fragrance is symbolic of the intimacy between two lovers.
More broadly in the Song of Solomon, spikenard would fit as one of the exotic perfumes, oils and spices that the lovers describe and praise in each other throughout the book. While not directly named, it would have been one of the luxurious fragrances known in ancient Israel, like saffron, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, aloes and others (Song of Solomon 4:14). The lovers’ mutual delight in extravagant perfumes highlights their desire to lavish each other with precious gifts and pleasant aromas.
New Testament Uses and Significance
Spikenard is directly mentioned three times in the New Testament, always in contexts involving Jesus. Understanding the cultural and symbolic importance of this expensive oil helps illuminate these passages.
Anointing Jesus’ Feet
In one of the most famous events involving spikenard, Mary (the sister of Martha and Lazarus) anoints Jesus’ feet with the oil six days before his last Passover in Bethany: “Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:3). Judas objects to the wasteful use of such a costly oil.
This vivid story highlights spikenard’s preciousness and luxury – Judas estimates its worth at 300 denarii, nearly a year’s wages. As one of the final sensory pleasures given to Jesus before his death, and sacrifice, Mary’s act has deep symbolic meaning. The richness and full sensory experience (sight, smell, touch) creates an intimate scene of love and devotion. Many see it as preparing Jesus for burial. The use of spikenard demonstrates the treasure Jesus was to Mary and the extravagance of her worship.
Gifting Spikenard
Spikenard makes another appearance in Jesus’ final week in the account of a woman anointing his head, two days before Passover: “There came a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head as he sat at table.” (Matthew 26:7). The disciples, like Judas earlier, complain about the wastefulness, but Jesus rebukes them and commends the woman’s act, saying “She has done a beautiful thing to me.” (Matthew 26:10).
Though not directly named here, the “very precious ointment” was likely spikenard. Again, the account highlights the preciousness of the oil – worth 300 denarii – and the willingness to pour it out lavishly for Jesus. The sensual intimacy noted in the previous account is also seen as she anoints his head. Jesus commends the extravagant gift as something beautiful and good in preparation for his burial.
Gifting Spikenard to Honor Jesus
Mark also describes this account but notes that the oil was “pure nard, very expensive” (Mark 14:3). Matthew and Mark specify the alabaster flask, showing the preciousness of the vessel containing such a luxurious oil. The woman’s gift to honor Jesus before his death was both socially and economically extravagant – pure nard in alabaster worth a year’s wages. This showcases her devotion.
The use of spikenard, one of the most precious oils of the ancient world, in these accounts adds vivid color and significance. Its luxury and fragrance filled the scene as Jesus was lavishly anointed and blessed in preparation for his burial and sacrifice. The spiritual and symbolic intimacy was as rich as the oil itself. Spikenard’s high value also created space for Judas’ betrayal, and for Jesus to preach love and generosity above economic costs.
Spikenard As a Fragrance and Medicine
Spikenard’s fragrance and healing properties show up in one other New Testament passage. Paul asks the Colossian church to convey his greetings to a woman named Nympha and to the church in her house, saying: “Greet the brothers at Laodicea, and Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:15-16).
Laodicea was an important center of trade between the cultures of the ancient Greco-Roman and Persian worlds. It is very likely that spikenard oil would have been available in the city, used by those who could afford it. Paul draws attention to the church gathering in Nympha’s home, a prominent house church in the city. It’s possible that some would have had and used precious oils like spikenard within their homes and gatherings, for fragrance, medicine, or to anoint and bless others.
So while not directly mentioned in this verse, it provides cultural context for how the early church may have utilized aromatic oils like spikenard within their communal life and homes.
Spikenard in the Ancient World
To better understand spikenard’s significance for Jesus and the early church, it helps to understand how it was viewed and used in the ancient Greco-Roman and Middle Eastern worlds of which they were a part:
- Luxury and status symbol – As an exotic import, spikenard oil was extremely expensive, indicating luxury and status.
- Medicinal use – It was used for treating ailments and believed to be medically beneficial for skin, stress, digestion, and inflammation.
- Perfume and fragrance – Culturally, its rich earthy aroma made it desirable as a perfume in foods, wines, oils, and ointments.
- Religious purposes – Like frankincense and myrrh, it was valued in religious rituals and ceremonies to honor gods and people.
- Funeral/burial rites – Spikenard and other aromatics Prepared bodies and shrouds for burial.
Within this cultural context, the use of precious spikenard in the New Testament takes on rich spiritual and symbolic significance. It underscores the preciousness of Jesus, the intimacy of devoted service to him, and the extravagant pouring out of valuable spices to prepare his body for burial.
Understanding spikenard as a luxury aromatic oil illuminates these Gospel accounts of Jesus’ anointing in the days before his crucifixion. It also provides insight into the wider cultural world of the early church within the Roman Empire and Middle East.
Spikenard Plant Description
The spikenard plant (Nardostachys jatamansi) that produces the fragrant oil grows today primarily in the Himalayan mountains spanning India and Nepal. It is a flowering perennial plant that grows to be about 1 meter tall. Key facts about the plant include:
- Rhizomes – The oil comes from the woody rhizomes underground.
- Pink/purple flowers – The plant has pretty clusters of pink or purple flowers.
- Valued fragrance – All parts are highly aromatic when crushed or distilled.
- Ancient medicinal uses – Traditionally used to treat skin, digestive, respiratory, and neurological ailments.
- Modern uses – Still used today in soaps, perfumes, oils, incense, and medicine, especially in Ayurvedic healing.
The spikenard plant thrives in cold, high-elevation settings in the Himalayan mountains. The prized aromatic rhizomes must be harvested by hand from remote, hard-to-access mountainsides. The challenging growing environment and harvesting process contribute to the high cost and preciousness of the resulting essential oil.
Meaning of Spikenard in the Bible
When we look at all the passages mentioning spikenard in the Bible, some key meanings and themes emerge:
- Devotion – The precious oil poured out lavishly showed the depth of love and gratitude toward Jesus.
- Jesus’ worth – The high value and cost of spikenard indicated Jesus’ surpassing worth.
- Preparing for burial – Anointing with spikenard had funerary and sacrificial connotations.
- Beauty – Jesus said the anointing was a “beautiful thing.” The oil’s aroma filled the scene with sensory beauty.
- Intimacy – The woman anointing Jesus’ head and feet created intimate, extravagant acts of worship.
- Fragrance of Christ – Like its literal aroma, the memory of the spikenard lingered as a fragrance pointing to Jesus’ identity and sacrifice.
Spikenard’s richness, costliness and fragrance gave it unique symbolic importance. Jesus’ supporters poured it out lavishly like one would a burial perfume. The selfless love shown in the anointing passages provides a contrast to Judas’ greed. Ultimately, spikenard exemplifies the beauty, intimacy and value of knowing Christ.
Significance of Spikenard in Religion Today
While spikenard itself is not as commonly referenced or used in modern religious rituals, some important connections can be made:
- Anointing oil – Some churches use special oil in ceremonies for anointing or healing the sick.
- Religious fragrances – Burning incense and fragrances like frankincense are still common ceremonial practices.
- Symbol of sacrifice – The costliness of spikenard oil parallels sacrificial religious giving today.
- Preparing for burial – Flowers, oils and spices continue to be used in preparing bodies for burial.
- Lavish worship – Spikenard mirrors believers today who seek to worship Jesus extravagantly.
While not widely used today, the lavish aromatics like spikenard in the Bible provide insight into religious practices that use fragrant fragrances, oils, incense and flowers to create sacred spaces. They also symbolize the extravagant devotion believers aim to show to God – giving their best within their means, out of adoration for Jesus.
Conclusion
Spikenard oil was a rare and valuable aromatic in the ancient world. By understanding it as a luxury item common in royal and religious rituals, we can better grasp its significance in Scripture. When Jesus was anointed with precious spikenard, it pointed to his surpassing worth as Messiah. The anointing also echoes Old Testament practices, as holy prophets, priests and kings were anointed with oils. Ultimately, the beauty and intimacy of the spikenard anointing foreshadowed Jesus’ burial and the sacrificial nature of his mission on earth.