Exodus 30:25 - "And thou shalt make it an oil for holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary; it shall be an holy anointing oil" (KJV).

The art of the apothecary is a very ancient one, probably dating back to pre-history, when man first learned to use herbs and barks to heal himself. However, although the word names a compounder of drugs, oils, and perfumes, it was in this latter sense that it was most often used in biblical times. All large Oriental towns had their perfumers’ street. Their stock included anything fragrant in the way of loose powder, compressed cake, or essences in spirit, oil, or fat, as well as seeds, leaves, and bark. Even before 400 B.C., they had formed themselves into guilds.

As our text tells us, the apothecaries blended the incense and the holy anointing oil for religious ceremonies. Perfume was also an important ingredient in this ritual oil. In addition, the ritual of Baal worshipers (Isaiah 57:9), and the embalming of the dead and the rites of burial (Genesis 1:12; Luke 23:56) all used the perfume. The apothecary compounded and sold these sweet spices and anointing oils.

Perfumes were made by compressing fresh flowers into a bag, by soaking flowers in fat, or by dipping flowers into hot fats or oils at 150 F. The modern method of distilling an essence was not used. The oil of myrrh and other gum resins was obtained by heating the substance in oil or fat and water to prevent the evaporation of the scent. The essence of the myrrh was transferred to the oil or fat, which could be strained off as liquid perfume. Myrrh was an important ingredient of the sacred anointing oil, and its mention in the Ras Shamra documents shows that is was prized as early as the second millenium B.C. We, of course, are familiar with it as one of the gifts given to the infant Jesus. Those who seek for symbolism here say that it was to signal his death. And, as he hung on the Cross, he was indeed offered "wine mingled with myrrh" (Mark 15:23).

Another of the major roles of the apothecary was as a cosmetician. In general, the Jewish attitude toward cosmetics was favorable, except in excessive use. Perhaps the most common cosmetic in the Bible is ointment, which, again, was often perfumed. This was different from the anointing oil, which was reserved for religious ceremonies. Rather, it is necessary in a hot, dry climate to keep the skin soft and moist; the perfume was used to counter-act body odors, in a land where water was at a premium! Eye paint is mentioned, but generally in connection with harlots. Possibly the Jewish women learned the art of cosmetics from the Egyptians and Babylonians; excavated tombs have unearthed many tools of the cosmeticians trade.

Some of the cosmetics that were used by the ancient Jews, but which are not mentioned in the Bible are rouge, powder, and hair dye. The Mishnah forbids the use of rouge on the sabbath (Shab. 10:6; this has also been interpreted as "parting the hair"). Women’s powder made of flour is to be removed from the house before the Passover (M. Pes. 3:1). Josephus says that Herod the Great dyed his hair.

The other occupation of the apothecary was in the preparation of some medicines, although this, surprisingly enough, was not a main phase of his art. You see, physicians generally made their own salves and ointments, or prepared their own liquid medications, so that in this day, the apothecary differed from the modern pharmacist. However, he did make some, and for these he used such ingredients as herbs, minerals, wines, animal substances, fruits, and leaves.

The trend has reversed in our day. The apothecary is no longer the maker of cosmetics and perfumes. We have whole industries specializing in these products. Rather, the present-day apothecary is the pharmacist. In fact, unless I am mistaken, in England he is still called an apothecary. We are all aware of the type of service which our pharmacist gives us, the training and skill that go in to the preparation of the many life-saving drugs which are available to us. And, of course, we can’t stop with the corner pharmacist. We must also include the employees of the great drug and medicine manufacturing companies. They mix and test and distill just as their long-gone counterparts did. And they are respected practitioners of an ancient trade, and held in high regard, just as the ancient apothecary was highly regarded by the people of his time.