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μύρον

mýron

G3464 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Scented oil, perfumed ointment prepared from aromatic substances, especially used for anointing, healing, burial rituals, and personal adornment; the primary meaning refers to a fragrant liquid, often comprised of myrrh, but also designates perfumed oil or ointment regardless of its specific ingredients.

Semantic Range

perfumed oil, aromatic ointment, fragrant unguent, costly perfume, oil used in anointing rituals

Root / Etymology

Borrowed from a Semitic source, most likely from Hebrew מֹר (mor, "myrrh"); related to σμύρνα (smyrna, 'myrrh') in Greek. The formation fits Greek noun morphology, but the lexical root reflects foreign (Semitic) origin, originally referring to the aromatic gum resin myrrh and then more generally to any fragrant ointment or oil.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, μύρον denoted any fragrant extract or unguent, not limited to myrrh but applicable to several aromatic compounds used in oil-based preparations. In Hellenistic and Koine contexts (LXX, NT), it often referred to expensive, perfumed ointments—used for personal grooming (e.g., anointing the head or body) and in funerary practices (for embalmment or honoring the dead). In the New Testament, the term appears in contexts of burial rites (notably the women bringing μύρον to Jesus' tomb; Mark 16:1) and in acts of hospitality or honor. While English translations sometimes render μύρον simply as 'ointment' or even 'myrrh', this may obscure its status as a luxury good, commonly associated with costly perfume and unguents, not the raw resin itself nor medicinal salve. The term highlights differences in cultural practice, symbolizing honor, extravagance, or preparation for burial.

Translation Consistency

primary "ointment" 13 occurrences

μύρον in biblical contexts most commonly denotes a perfumed unguent or anointing oil. "Ointment" is a natural, idiomatic English noun that covers perfumed oil, fragrant unguent, and costly perfume used for anointing, healing, burial, and personal adornment—so it best preserves the typical sense across all occurrences while remaining consistent and readable.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"fragrant oil" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably of foreign origin (compare מֹר, σμύρνα); "myrrh", i.e. (by implication) perfumed oil:--ointment.

Root Family

μύρον (myron) — fragrant, aromatic, ointment, oil

Root μυρ- fragrant, aromatic, ointment, oil

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3464-04 μύρου murou N GEN N SG of ointment of perfumed oil of ointment 6
G3464-03 μύρον muron N ACC N SG perfume fragrant ointment fragrant ointment 4
G3464-02 μύρῳ muro N DAT N SG with ointment to fragrant oil to fragrant ointment 3
G3464-01 μύρα mura N ACC N PL perfumes perfumed ointments perfumed ointments 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3464-04 Matthew 26:7 μύρου murou N GEN N SG of ointment of perfumed oil of ointment
G3464-03 Matthew 26:12 μύρον muron N ACC N SG perfume fragrant ointment fragrant ointment
G3464-04 Mark 14:3 μύρου murou N GEN N SG of ointment of perfumed oil of ointment
G3464-04 Mark 14:4 μύρου murou N GEN N SG ointment of perfumed oil of ointment
G3464-03 Mark 14:5 μύρον muron N NOM N SG perfume fragrant ointment fragrant ointment
G3464-04 Luke 7:37 μύρου murou N GEN N SG of ointment of perfumed oil of ointment
G3464-02 Luke 7:38 μύρῳ muro N DAT N SG ointment to fragrant oil to fragrant ointment
G3464-02 Luke 7:46 μύρῳ muro N DAT N SG with ointment to fragrant oil with ointment
G3464-01 Luke 23:56 μύρα mura N ACC N PL perfumes perfumed ointments perfumed ointments
G3464-02 John 11:2 μύρῳ muro N DAT N SG with ointment to fragrant oil with fragrant oil
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