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בֶּשֶׂם

𐤁𐤔𐤌

besem

H1314 noun

SILEX Entry

Root בשם to smell sweet, be fragrant, emit fragrance

Definition

A fragrant substance; aromatic resin or spice, often used for its pleasing smell. Refers specifically to plant-based fragrances, including gums, balms, resins, and spices valued for their aroma. In broader contexts, can refer generically to a pleasant odor or perfume, whether naturally occurring or produced by plant extracts.

Semantic Range

fragrant spice, aromatic resin, perfume, balsam, sweet-smelling plant; pleasant aroma; fragrant substance in cultic or cosmetic usage

Root / Etymology

From root בָּשָׂם (possibly related to a Semitic root for 'fragrance' or 'spice'); with בֶּשֶׂם (besem) and בֹּשֶׂם (bosem) as variant forms. The root conveys the sense of emitting a pleasant fragrance, especially from aromatic plants or resins. Lexical form borrowed into other Semitic languages (e.g., Aramaic, Arabic) with similar meanings. The relationship to the root בָּשָׂם is morphological; both focus on substances with aromatic qualities rather than the act of smelling.

Historical & Contextual Notes

בֶּשֶׂם (besem) appears in reference to aromatic substances or spices used for cultic, medicinal, or aesthetic purposes. In the Torah and narrative books, it describes costly perfumes included in offerings, tabernacle anointing oils, or luxury items in royal contexts (Exod 30:23; Song 5:13). Its use is concentrated in ritual or elite settings, symbolizing luxury, sanctity, or abundance. Later translations (including Septuagint and Vulgate) often render the word with broad terms like 'spice', 'aromatic', or 'perfume', which may flatten the nuance of its references to specific plant derivatives (e.g., balsam, myrrh). In the Song of Songs, it contributes to imagery of desire and beauty. Distinguished from related terms like קְטֹרֶת (qetoret, 'incense') which often focuses on smoke offerings, or שֶׁמֶן (shemen, 'oil'), which may be perfumed or plain.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or בֹּשֶׂם; from the same as בָּשָׂם; fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant; smell, spice, sweet (odour).

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Root Family

בשם (b-š-m) — to smell sweet, be fragrant, emit fragrance

Word Forms

15 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1314-02 בְּשָׂמִים֙ besamim HNcmpa spices fragrant spices 6
H1314-10 וּ/בְשָׂמִים֙ uvesamim HC/Ncmpa and spices and fragrant spices 5
H1314-06 הַ/בֹּ֖שֶׂם habosem HTd/Ncmsa of balsam the fragrant spice 3
H1314-14 בְשָׂמִֽים vesamim HNcmpa of spices fragrant spices 2
H1314-04 בֹּ֜שֶׂם bosem HNcmsa fragrance fragrant resin 2
H1314-05 הַ/בְּשָׂמִ֜ים habesamim HTd/Ncmpa the spices the fragrant spices 2
H1314-11 וְ/הַ/בְּשָׂמִֽים vehabesamim HC/Td/Ncmpa and-the-spices and the fragrant aromatics 1
H1314-01 בַּ/בְּשָׂמִ֔ים babesamim HRd/Ncmpa with perfumes with fragrant spices 1
H1314-09 לַ/בְּשָׂמִֽים labesamim HRd/Ncmpa for the spices for the fragrant spices 1
H1314-08 כַ/בֹּ֨שֶׂם khabosem HRd/Ncmsa such spices fragrant resin 1

Occurrences in Scripture

29 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1314-02 Exodus 25:6 בְּשָׂמִים֙ besamim HNcmpa spices fragrant spices
H1314-02 Exodus 30:23 בְּשָׂמִ֣ים besamim HNcmpa spices fragrant spices
H1314-03 Exodus 30:23 בֶּ֥שֶׂם besem HNcmsa fragrant fragrant spice
H1314-15 Exodus 30:23 בֹ֖שֶׂם vosem HNcmsa fragrant fragrant spice
H1314-10 Exodus 35:8 וּ/בְשָׂמִים֙ uvesamim HC/Ncmpa and spices and fragrant spices
H1314-06 Exodus 35:28 הַ/בֹּ֖שֶׂם habosem HTd/Ncmsa spices the fragrant spice
H1314-02 1 Kings 10:2 בְּשָׂמִ֧ים besamim HNcmpa spices fragrant spices
H1314-10 1 Kings 10:10 וּ/בְשָׂמִ֛ים uvesamim HC/Ncmpa and spices and fragrant spices
H1314-08 1 Kings 10:10 כַ/בֹּ֨שֶׂם khabosem HRd/Ncmsa such spices fragrant resin
H1314-10 1 Kings 10:25 וּ/בְשָׂמִ֔ים uvesamim HC/Ncmpa and spices and fragrant spices
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