νάρδος
nárdos
G3487 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An aromatic substance derived from the nard plant, especially its root or spike, used as an expensive perfume or ointment. In biblical and ancient Greek contexts, refers specifically to the fragrant ointment prepared from the roots of Nardostachys jatamansi (spikenard), commonly used for anointing and funerary purposes. The term may also reference the plant itself or the costly oil extracted from it, prized for its fragrance and value.
Semantic Range
nard (the plant itself), aromatic ointment derived from nard, expensive perfume, fragrance or oil used in anointing and burial rites
Root / Etymology
Borrowed from a foreign, likely Indic, source, related to Sanskrit 'nalāda' or 'narada' (the plant Nardostachys jatamansi); used in Greek as νάρδος to denote the aromatic plant and its perfume. The connection with Hebrew נֵרְדְּ (nerd) suggests early trade routes brought the term and substance from the east into the Greek-speaking Mediterranean world.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek literature, νάρδος refers to the valuable perfumed oil extracted from the nard plant, imported from India or the Himalayas. By the Hellenistic period, it is a luxury good, often linked with wealth, ritual, and burial customs. In the New Testament (e.g., Mark 14:3, John 12:3), νάρδος denotes a particularly costly ointment used in anointing contexts, indicating both the exoticism and high value attached to the product. The Septuagint uses the term to translate Hebrew references to aromatic substances and plants. Standard English Bibles often render it as 'nard' or 'spikenard,' capturing the botanical identity but sometimes obscuring nuances of ritual and economic significance. It is distinct from other ancient perfumes (like myrrh or frankincense) both in source and symbolic association.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of foreign origin (compare נֵרְדְּ); "nard":--(spike-)nard.
Root Family
νάρδος (nardos) — nard plant, aromatic ointment, perfume
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3487-01 |
νάρδου | nardou | N GEN F SG |
of nard | of nard perfume | of nard | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences