3487. nardos
Lexicon
nardos: Nard

Original Word: νάρδος
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: nardos
Pronunciation: NAHR-dos
Phonetic Spelling: (nar'dos)
Definition: Nard
Meaning: spikenard, a perfume made originally from a plant growing on the Himalayas.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
spikenard.

Of foreign origin (compare nerd); "nard" -- (spike-)nard.

see HEBREW nerd

HELPS Word-studies

3487 nárdos – nard (spikenard); an Indian plant, "the nardostachys nardus jatamansi, used for the preparation of a fragrant ointment; ointment of nard: Mk 14:3; Jn 12:3" (Abbott-Smith). When refined, nard is a "perfume, made originally from the 'Nardostachys Jatamansi' growing on the Himalayas" (Souter).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of foreign origin, cf. nerd
Definition
nard, ointment of nard
NASB Translation
nard (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3487: νάρδος

νάρδος, νάρδου, (a Sanskrit word (cf. Fick as in Löw below); Hebrew נֵרְדְּ, Song of Solomon 1:12; Song of Solomon 4:13f);

a. nard, the head or spike of a fragrant East Indian plant belonging to the genus Valeriana, which yields a juice of delicious odor which the ancients used (either pure or mixed) in the preparation of a most precious ointment; hence,

b. nard oil or ointment; so Mark 14:3; John 12:3. Cf. Winer, RWB under the word Narde; Rüetschi in Herzog x., p. 203; Furrer in Schenkel, p. 286f; (Löw, Aramäische Pflanzennamen (Leip. 1881), § 316, p. 368f; Royle in Alex.'s Kitto under the word Nerd; Birdwood in the 'Bible Educator' ii. 152).

Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: The word νάρδος is of foreign origin, likely derived from a Semitic language, reflecting the trade and cultural exchanges of the ancient Near East.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for νάρδος, the concept of aromatic oils and anointing is present in the Hebrew Bible. Related Hebrew terms include:
H8081 שֶׁמֶן (shemen): Oil, often used for anointing.
H3905 לֹט (lot): Myrrh, another aromatic substance used in similar contexts.

These entries reflect the broader biblical theme of anointing and the use of precious substances in worship and consecration practices.

Usage: The term νάρδος appears in the New Testament in contexts related to anointing and the use of precious ointments. It is specifically mentioned in the accounts of Jesus being anointed.

Context: The term νάρδος refers to a highly valued aromatic oil extracted from the spikenard plant, native to the Himalayan regions of India and Nepal. In the ancient world, nard was prized for its fragrance and was often used in religious and burial practices, as well as for personal anointing.

In the New Testament, νάρδος is mentioned in the context of significant events in the life of Jesus. In Mark 14:3 and John 12:3, Mary anoints Jesus with "a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume," highlighting the act of devotion and the costly nature of the substance. The use of nard in these passages underscores themes of sacrifice, worship, and the preparation for Jesus' burial.

The cultural and economic significance of nard in the ancient world is evident in its mention in these Gospel accounts. The act of anointing with nard was a gesture of honor and reverence, reflecting the high esteem in which Jesus was held by His followers. The disciples' reaction to the use of such an expensive ointment also illustrates the tension between material value and spiritual devotion.

Forms and Transliterations
ενάρκησε ενάρκησεν νάρδος ναρδου νάρδου νάρδων nardou nárdou
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Mark 14:3 N-GFS
GRK: ἀλάβαστρον μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτελοῦς
NAS: of pure nard; [and] she broke
KJV: of ointment of spikenard very precious;
INT: alabastar flask of ointment of nard pure of great price

John 12:3 N-GFS
GRK: λίτραν μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτίμου
NAS: of pure nard, and anointed
KJV: of ointment of spikenard, very costly,
INT: a litra of ointment of nard pure of great price

Strong's Greek 3487
2 Occurrences


νάρδου — 2 Occ.















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