Aloes in the Bible

also known as: aloeswood, agarwood, Aquilaria, gharuwood, eaglewood, oud or oudh

Hebrew: אֲהָלִים —transliteration: 'ahalim

This name refers to Aquilaria trees which have fragrant wood (Numbers 24:6; Psalm 45:8; Proverbs 7:17), or, its costly extract in the form of oil or gum used as perfume.

All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia —Psalm 45:8 excerpt

I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. —Proverbs 7:17

Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,
With all the trees of frankincense,
Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices. —Song of Songs 4:14 LSB

This is an entirely diffent plant from Aloe vera and Aloe vulgaris (aka bitter aloes), used for medicinal purposes.

Today, aloewoods (Aquilaria trees) are native to southeast Asia, including India, and is especially found in rainforests where there are 21 known species.

The wood is frequently used as an incense and its extracted essential oil is used as perfume.

Aloeswood was used by the Egyptians for embalming dead bodies.

Nicodemus brought it (pounded aloewood) to embalm the body of Christ; but whether this was the same as that mentioned elsewhere is uncertain.

And Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about one hundred litras. —John 19:39 LSB

Note: 100 litras (aka Roman pounds) = approximately 75 modern pounds or 34 kilograms

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Article Version: February 12, 2025