- Shemen Afarsimon
Shemen Afarsimon is an oil that was used to add fragrance to sacrifices and in the anointment of priests, prophets and kings.
In April 1988, archeologists discovered a small jug of oil in the
Qumran region that has been identifed as the oil used in the Temple after testing by the Pharmaceutical Department of theHebrew University of Jerusalem . The find was announced by theNew York Times on February 15, 1989, and a feature article was published inNational Geographic Magazine in October of that year. [ [http://www.vendyljones.org.il/anointingoil.htm Vendyl Jones Research Institutes ] ]However, this identification remains controversial. No one today knows exactly what plant was used to produce the biblical "shemen afarsimon." In modern
Hebrew , the word "afarsimon" is translated aspersimmon .According to one theory, it is the plant Commiphora
opobalsamum - a small shrub, 10 to 12 feet high, with wandlike, spreading branches. The oil extracted from the seeds or branches of this plant has been used as a medicine, but more commonly as incense or perfumed oil.The biblical "afarsimon" was considered very valuable, and worth its weight in gold. [ [http://www.steinsaltz.org/dynamic/DafYomi_details.asp?Id=333 The Aleph Society, promoting the educational efforts of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. | Daf Yomi ] ] The ancient community of
Ein Gedi was known for its cultivation of the "afarsimon."ee also
*
Balsam of Mecca
*Holy anointing oil References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.