Spikenard, Saffron, Calamus, Cinnamon and Frankincense - Song of Songs 4:14

In the book of Song of Songs, Solomon shared how the groom said to the bride, “Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, ...”, and in chapter four and verse fourteen of Song of Songs, Solomon shared how the groom acknowledged, “spikenard, saffron, calamus, cinnamon and frankincense” within the bride's garden where we read,

Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense;

myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

The verse begins, “Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense;” Solomon began with the word, “spikenard” or “nard which is an odoriferous aromatic plant from India” “and saffron” which means “and an orange-yellow flower of the crocus family which is used for flavoring drinks and confections in order to promote perspiration for cooling of the body”; “calamus” or “cane, stalk, bone and water plant reed” “and cinnamon” which means “and a fragrant bark used as spice”, “with all trees of frankincense” or “alongside and beside each, every, the whole and everyone of the trees containing frankincense which is a white resin burned as fragrant incense”. Solomon shared how the groom also included “nard, saffron, calamus, cinnamon and every tree of frankincense” to be within the bride's “orchard”.

The verse goes on to says, “myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:” Solomon continued with the word, “myrrh”which refers to “an Arabian gum from the bark of a tree which is used in sacred oil and perfume”, “and aloes” which means “and aloe wood sticks”, “with all the chief spices” or “beside and alongside each, every, the whole and everyone of the top, upper, choice and best balsam perfume which puts forth a sweet fragrance, aroma, odor and smell”. Solomon shared how the groom also spoke of“myrrh, aloe” and every other choice “spice” used for perfume to exist within the bride's garden. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn that Solomon continued to share how the groom spoke of many other plants which were within the “orchard” or “garden” of the bride. “Nard, saffron, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, aloes and every other choice spice” was included in the planted field of the bride. She was filled with an abundant supply, and this is just the way God wants it to be for us. God loves us even as this groom loved His bride, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind to prove it. When we humble ourselves, repent of our sins and believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and supply our needs according to His abundant riches in glory. (See Philippians 4:19) 

Next time Solomon shares how the groom adds, “a fountain of gardens” so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".