Aloes; Lignaloes
What Are Biblical Aloes?
The aloes mentioned in the Bible are not the medicinal aloe vera plant familiar to modern readers, but rather a fragrant wood known as eaglewood or aloeswood, produced by trees of the genus Aquilaria native to Southeast Asia. The two most valued species, Aquilaria malaccensis and Aquilaria agallocha, are fine spreading trees whose heartwood develops a richly fragrant resin. This resin-saturated wood, when burned or powdered, produces a deeply aromatic scent that was prized throughout the ancient world. The powdered form was known as "aloes," while the wood itself was called "lignaloes" (from the Latin lignum aloes, meaning "wood of aloes").
Aloes as Perfume and Luxury
In the Old Testament, aloes appear as a substance of great luxury and beauty. Psalm 45:8 describes royal garments perfumed with "myrrh and aloes and cassia," evoking the splendor of a king's wedding. Proverbs 7:17 mentions aloes used to perfume a bed, and Song of Solomon 4:14 includes aloes in a catalog of the most precious spices and fragrances. In each case, aloes represent the finest and most costly aromatics available, reserved for occasions of importance and intimacy.
Balaam's Prophetic Vision
The earliest biblical mention of aloes comes in Balaam's oracle blessing Israel: "How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters" (Numbers 24:5-6). This poetic comparison raises an interesting question, since aloe trees grow in distant Southeast Asia. Balaam likely used the aloe as a tree famous throughout the ancient Orient for its preciousness rather than describing a literal plant before his eyes. The poetic context, which also places cedars beside water (an unnatural setting for mountain-dwelling cedars), supports a figurative rather than literal reading.
Aloes at the Burial of Jesus
The most significant appearance of aloes in Scripture comes in the account of Jesus' burial. John 19:39 records: "Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds." This was an extraordinary quantity, far exceeding what would normally be used and reflecting both the expense Nicodemus was willing to bear and the honor he wished to show Jesus.
The mixture of myrrh and aloes was used in accordance with Jewish burial customs, packed around the body and within the burial wrappings. The lavish amount suggests that Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus secretly at night (John 3:1-2), was now making a bold public declaration of devotion, regardless of the consequences from his fellow religious leaders.
Distinguishing Biblical Aloes from Other Plants
It is important to distinguish the biblical aloe from several other plants that share the name. Medicinal aloes, derived from Aloe vera and related species of the lily family, have been used since ancient times for healing but are an entirely different plant. The American aloe (Agave americana), sometimes seen growing in the Mediterranean region today, is also unrelated. The biblical aloe is exclusively the aromatic eaglewood of Southeast Asia, a luxury import that traveled vast distances along ancient trade routes to reach the markets of the Near East.
Biblical Context
Aloes appear in Numbers 24:6 (Balaam's blessing), Psalm 45:8 (royal garments), Proverbs 7:17 (perfumed bed), Song of Solomon 4:14 (catalog of precious spices), and John 19:39 (burial of Jesus). In each context, aloes represent luxury, beauty, and honor. The association with Jesus' burial gives the substance its deepest significance, connecting the finest aromatics of the ancient world with the preparation of the Savior's body.
Theological Significance
The use of aloes at Jesus' burial carries rich theological meaning. Nicodemus' extravagant gift of seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes echoes the royal imagery of Psalm 45, where aloes perfume a king's garments. By anointing Jesus with a king's spices in death, Nicodemus unknowingly affirmed Jesus' true identity as the Messiah-King. The scene also demonstrates how Jesus' death drew people from secrecy to bold confession, transforming a cautious nighttime inquirer into a public servant of the crucified Lord.
Historical Background
Eaglewood (aloeswood) was one of the most valued trade commodities of the ancient world, originating in the forests of Southeast Asia and reaching the Near East through extensive maritime and overland trade networks. In Arabic tradition, this wood is known as 'ud,' and it remains highly prized today. The resin forms primarily in the heartwood of the tree; logs were sometimes buried to allow the outer wood to decay, leaving the resin-saturated inner wood intact. The Portuguese later confused the Malay name (agora) with the Latin word for eagle (aquila), giving rise to the English name 'eaglewood.' The enormous cost of transporting this material thousands of miles made it accessible only to the wealthy.