Spikenard in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

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What is Spikenard?
SPIKE'NARD
, an aromatic plant from which was made the costly ointment poured on Jesus' head and feet. Song 1:12; Song 4:13-14; Mark 14:3; John 12:3. There is little question that the spikenard was the dried stem of an herb of the valerian family (Nardostachys jatamansi), which grows exclusively in India and was once very precious. If the penny (denarius) was Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi). equal to "fifteen cents, the pound with which Mary anointed our Saviour was valued at a sum equal to forty-five dollars. This ointment was evidently enclosed, like other unguents or perfumes, in a slender-necked and closely-sealed flask or bottle of alabaster. It is not agreed whether breaking this box was merely opening the seal or was the fracture of the frail neck, but probably it was the latter.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'spikenard' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
bible-history.com - Schaff's

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