of foreign origin (compare נֵרְדְּ); "nard":--(spike-)nard.
Transliteration:nárdos
Pronunciation:nar'dos
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
νάρδος (nárdos) refers to "nard" or "spikenard," a highly aromatic and expensive ointment or perfume. This substance was derived from the *Nardostachys jatamansi* plant, native to the remote Himalayan regions of India and Nepal. Its distant origin and the labor-intensive process of extraction made it one of the most precious commodities in the ancient world. The base definition notes its foreign origin, comparing it to the Hebrew `{{H5373}}` (nērəd), which appears in the Old Testament, reinforcing its exotic and valuable status. The semantic range is quite narrow, consistently pointing to this specific, costly aromatic substance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Greek term νάρδος (nárdos) appears exclusively in the New Testament, specifically within the accounts of Jesus' anointing by Mary of Bethany. These three occurrences are pivotal for understanding its significance:
* [[Mark 14:3]]: "And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head." This passage emphasizes the "pure nard" (μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς), highlighting its authenticity and high quality, and explicitly states it was "very costly" (πολυτελοῦς). The act of breaking the flask signifies an unreserved, complete devotion, ensuring all the precious contents were used.
* [[John 12:3]]: "Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment." John's account provides additional details: the anointing is by Mary, on Jesus' feet, and the quantity is a "pound" (λίτραν). The description "expensive ointment of pure nard" (μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτίμου) again underscores its immense value. The detail that "the house was filled with the fragrance" vividly portrays the lavishness of the act and its pervasive impact.
* [[John 12:5]]: "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This question, posed by Judas Iscariot, reveals the staggering economic value of the nard – "three hundred denarii" was approximately a year's wages for a common laborer. Judas's objection, rooted in greed rather than genuine concern for the poor, starkly contrasts with Mary's selfless devotion and highlights the extraordinary nature of her sacrifice.
In each instance, νάρδος is central to an act of profound, costly devotion to Jesus, which He interprets as preparation for His burial.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Hebrew Counterpart:** The Old Testament uses `{{H5373}}` (nērəd) in the Song of Solomon ([[Song of Solomon 1:12]], [[Song of Solomon 4:13]], [[Song of Solomon 4:14]]), where it is associated with beauty, fragrance, and the beloved's garden, symbolizing delight, intimacy, and richness. This connection reinforces the ancient perception of nard as a luxurious and desirable substance.
* **"Ointment" (μύρον - `{{G3464}}`):** While νάρδος specifies the type of ointment, the broader term μύρον (myron) refers to any fragrant oil or perfume. The designation "pure nard" signifies the highest quality and concentration, distinguishing it from lesser, perhaps diluted, ointments.
* **"Costly/Expensive" (πολυτελής - `{{G4185}}`, πολύτιμος - `{{G4186}}`):** These Greek adjectives consistently accompany νάρδος in the New Testament narratives, emphasizing the extraordinary economic value of the substance and, by extension, the magnitude of Mary's sacrifice.
* **"Alabaster Flask" (ἀλάβαστρον - `{{G211}}`):** The container for the nard was often an alabaster jar, itself a valuable item, signifying the preciousness of its contents and often indicating an unbroken, sealed vessel.
* **Anointing:** The act of anointing carried multiple layers of meaning in the ancient world: a gesture of hospitality and honor, a ritual for consecrating priests and kings, an act of healing, and a preparation for burial. In Mary's case, it encompasses profound honor and, as Jesus reveals, a prophetic act of burial preparation.
### Theological Significance
The νάρδος (nárdos) in the biblical accounts carries profound theological significance:
* **Extravagant Devotion and Worship:** Mary's use of such a costly substance represents an act of unparalleled, unreserved devotion and worship towards Jesus. It is a sacrifice that transcends all practical considerations, valuing Christ above material wealth. Her breaking of the flask and pouring out the entire contents symbolizes a complete and selfless surrender, an offering of her most precious possession.
* **Prophetic Act of Burial Preparation:** Jesus explicitly interprets Mary's anointing as preparation for His impending burial ([[Mark 14:8]], [[John 12:7]]). This elevates the act beyond mere hospitality to a profound prophetic sign, underscoring the reality and immediacy of His death. The nard, traditionally used in burial rites, takes on a poignant and somber significance in this context.
* **Contrast with Worldly Values:** The disciples' (particularly Judas's) objection to the "waste" of the nard highlights the tension between worldly prudence and spiritual devotion. The immense value of the nard serves as a foil, exposing covetousness and a fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of true worship. Jesus' commendation of Mary's "beautiful thing" (καλὸν ἔργον - [[Mark 14:6]]) sharply contrasts with the disciples' materialistic calculations.
* **The Fragrance of Christ and True Worship:** The detail that "the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment" ([[John 12:3]]) can be seen symbolically. Just as the physical fragrance filled the space, the spiritual "fragrance" of Christ's sacrifice and Mary's devotion fills the world, serving as a perpetual memorial. This resonates with Pauline imagery of believers being "the aroma of Christ" ([[2 Corinthians 2:15]]), spreading the knowledge of Him everywhere.
* **Extravagant Grace and Sacrifice:** The νάρδος symbolizes the extravagant grace of God in Christ, and simultaneously, the call to an equally extravagant, unreserved response from believers. It teaches that true worship is not measured by cost-benefit analysis but by the depth of love and surrender to the Savior.
### Summary
νάρδος (nárdos), or spikenard, denotes an exceptionally rare, fragrant, and costly ointment. Its limited yet impactful appearances in the New Testament are solely within the narratives of Mary of Bethany's anointing of Jesus. The immense value of this substance, equivalent to a year's wages, underscores Mary's profound devotion and sacrificial worship. Jesus' interpretation of her act as preparation for His burial imbues the νάρδος with prophetic significance, highlighting the imminence of His death and the sacredness of His body. The disciples' worldly objections, particularly Judas's, serve to contrast human greed and misunderstanding with the divine commendation of unreserved love for Christ. Ultimately, νάρδος stands as a powerful symbol of extravagant devotion, the preciousness of Christ's sacrifice, and the enduring "fragrance" of genuine worship that transcends all earthly calculations. Its use in the biblical narrative serves as an enduring testament to the call for radical, uncalculating love for the Savior.
TRV