Spices in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

basam. Not pungent, as pepper, ginger, etc., but aromatic woods, seeds, or gums (Song of Solomon 6:2; Song of Solomon 5:1). Balsam or balm of Gilead, Amyris opobalsamum; a tropical plant that grew in the plains of Jericho and the hot valleys of southern Israel. KJV translated not basam, but tseri or tsori, "balm". (See BALM.) The balm of Gilead tree is not more than 15 ft. high, with straggling branches and scanty foil age. The balsam is procured from the bark by incision, and from the green and ripe berries. The nekoth, "spicery" Genesis 37:25, is the storax or gum of the styrax tree (Speaker's Commentary). Arabic nekaat, the gum exuding from the tragacanth (astragalus); when exposed to the air it hardens into lumps or worm-like spires (Smith's Bible Dictionary). In 2 Kings 20:13 margin, "house of spicery" expresses the original design of the house; but it was used ultimutely for storing Hezekiah's other "precious things." Sammim, a general term for aromatics used in preparing the holy anointing oil. Certain Levites especially "oversaw the frankincense and spices" (1 Chronicles 9:29-30). Myrrh and aloes were among the spices wrapped with Jesus' body (John 19:39-40; compare also 2 Chronicles 16:4; Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56; Luke 24:1).