In Basket: Baking Bread Pudding (and more)

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Thank you for January 2009 article "Ancient Herbs, Modern Uses," by James A. Duke, Ph.D. I would like to share this clarification on the ‘aloes’ of John 19: 39, 40. It is taken from insight on the scriptures:

Aloe, Aloeswood [Herb., ‘aha-lim’ (plural) and ‘aha-lohth’(plural); Gr. a-lo’e]. A name applied to a variety if tree containing a fragrant, or aromatic, substance use a as perfume in the Biblical period. (Ps 45:8; Pr 7:17; CA 4:14) Most commentators consider the aloe tree of the Bible to be the Aquilaria agallocha, sometimes called the eaglewood tree and now found principally in India and neighboring regions. The tree is large and spreading, at times reaching a height of 30 m (c.100 ft). The inner core of the trunk and of branches in impregnated with resin and an odor perfume. Apparently attaining its most aromatic state when in decay, the wood is sometimes buried in the ground to haste the decaying process. In a finely powdered condition it is then sold commercially as “aloes.”

Following the death of Christ Jesus, Nicodemus brought “a roll of myrrh and aloes” weighing about 100 Roman pounds (33 Kg; 72 lb), to be used in preparing Jesus’ body for burial. (Joh 19:39) Nicodemus’ contribution must have represented a considerable outlay of money on his part, although the proportion of the less expensive myrrh included in the 100 pounds is not stated. While some apply the term “aloes” in this text to the plant on the lily family that now bears the botanical name of Aloe Vera, the product of this plant (a thik juice from the leaves) is employed not for its aroma but as a purgative and for other health-related purposes. The aloes brought by Nicodemus was likely the same aloeswood product as that referred to in the Hebrew Scriptures.  

As a Bible scholar, Dr. Duke will no doubt agree with another refinement. The magi were not present and giving gifts to ‘newborn Jesus’ in the manger in Bethlehem, as commonly depicted in Christmas art. The astrologers were first led by star to murderous King Herod then sent by him to search in Bethlehem. When they arrived, Jesus was a ‘young child’ living with his parents in a ‘house.’ (Matt. 2:1-18, Luke 2:1-20)
—Virginia Trull, Ohio

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