Galbanum
“Possibly from a root meaning 'fat' or 'resin'”
Summary
A gum-resin used as one of the ingredients in the sacred incense prescribed for tabernacle worship.
☩Biblical Use
Galbanum was one of the four 'sweet spices' commanded by God for preparing the sacred incense, along with stacte, onycha, and pure frankincense. This compound was to be burned exclusively in the tabernacle as holy incense before the LORD. The precise recipe was forbidden for personal use, being reserved solely for sacred purposes.
☩Nature and Source
Galbanum is a gum-resin occurring in small, round, semitranslucent tears or brownish-yellow masses. It possesses a distinctive aromatic odor and bitter taste. Though galbanum itself has a disagreeable smell, when combined with other ingredients it helps preserve the fragrance of the perfume longer. The substance is derived from certain umbelliferous plants of the genus Ferula, historically imported from Persia and the Levant.
Related Verses1 mention
Exodus· 1 verse
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Galbanum," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Galbanum," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Galbanum," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Galbanum," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).