Aloe
ALOES [ălˊōz] (Heb. ˒ahālîm; Gk. alóē). A general name for the aromatic wood of various plants. Only John 19:39 refers to the true aloe (Aloe succotrina Lam.), a succulent plant which secretes a bitter fluid used as a purgative and in embalming. Most biblical applications of the term indicate the eaglewood (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.) or sandalwood (Santalum album L.), both trees native to India and Malaya but exported to Egypt in ancient times. At Cant. 4:11 the aloe is said to have been growing in the garden at En-gedi. The eaglewood and sandalwood were valued as sources for incense and perfume (Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17). “Aloes” at Num. 24:6 probably indicates an oak or terebinth (KJV “trees of lign aloes”).
Myers, Allen C. The Eerdmans Bible dictionary 1987 : 41. Print.
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