ἀλόη
alóē
G250 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A fragrant resinous substance or aromatic wood, derived from certain trees, used primarily for its scent and for embalming preparations; occasionally, by metonymy, refers to the tree itself or, more rarely, as an ingredient in perfumes and burial spices.
Semantic Range
aromatic wood; perfumed resin; fragrant substance used in embalming; material for incense or burial spices; rarely, the tree yielding this substance
Root / Etymology
Borrowed from Hebrew אֲהָלִים (’ăhālîm, plural of אֲהָלֶה), which refers to the aromatic wood or resin known in English as 'aloeswood' or 'agarwood'. The Greek word reflects contact with Near Eastern trade and botanical terminology. Not related to the modern aloe plant (Aloe vera).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Septuagint and New Testament, ἀλόη almost exclusively designates the rare, fragrant wood or its resin imported from far eastern regions (notably South or Southeast Asia), most frequently used for perfuming, embalming, and in luxury contexts (e.g., John 19:39 for burial rites). The term should not be confused with the botanical genus Aloe, which does not produce aromatic wood or resin. In earlier Greek literature, this borrowing is found almost exclusively in contexts tied to the description of eastern luxuries, distinct from native Greek botanical vocabulary. English Bible translations rendering it simply as 'aloes' may mislead readers into thinking of aloe vera; contextually, it refers to what is known as agarwood or eaglewood. Related terms include σμύρνα (myrrh) and νάρδος (nard), other exotic aromatics.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of foreign origin (compare ἀκάνθινος); aloes (the gum):--aloes.
Root Family
ἀλόη (aloē) — aromatic wood, perfumed resin, burial spice material
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G250-01 |
ἀλόης | aloes | N GEN F SG |
of aloes | of aromatic resin-wood | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G250-01 |
John 19:39 | ἀλόης | aloes | N GEN F SG |
of aloes | of aromatic resin-wood |