During the Lenten season, many people think about what they will give up. I also like to think about what I will add to my Lenten discipline. Why not add learning more about herbs, biblical herbs in particular and their significance and uses?
Herbs have played an important part in our lives since the beginning when God put "every seed-bearing plant and tree" on the Earth. Herbs in biblical times were used in people's every day lives. They were used as medicine (caraway, cardamom, garlic, onions, sesame and thyme), cosmetic ointments (myrrh), aromatic oils (frankincense, myrrh), perfumes (spikenard), fumigation agents and religious rituals (hyssop), embalming (anise, cumin, marjoram, myrrh as well as spices like cinnamon, cloves and cassia), and cooking (basil, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, savory and tarragon). As you can see, herbs touched every aspect of people's lives. Their importance made them valuable, to the extent that people even paid taxes with them. I'd like to send a pot of parsley to Washington, D.C., on April 15th and see if it still works.
Herbs are mentioned throughout the Old and New testaments. Jewish Passover this year is celebrated April 3-10 where herbs play a special part. The Christian Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday (April 1) and continues through Easter Sunday (April 8) with herbs playing a part in their celebration as well.
Herbs have played an important part in our lives since the beginning when God put "every seed-bearing plant and tree" on the Earth. Herbs in biblical times were used in people's every day lives. They were used as medicine (caraway, cardamom, garlic, onions, sesame and thyme), cosmetic ointments (myrrh), aromatic oils (frankincense, myrrh), perfumes (spikenard), fumigation agents and religious rituals (hyssop), embalming (anise, cumin, marjoram, myrrh as well as spices like cinnamon, cloves and cassia), and cooking (basil, coriander, dill, mint, oregano, savory and tarragon). As you can see, herbs touched every aspect of people's lives. Their importance made them valuable, to the extent that people even paid taxes with them. I'd like to send a pot of parsley to Washington, D.C., on April 15th and see if it still works.
Herbs are mentioned throughout the Old and New testaments. Jewish Passover this year is celebrated April 3-10 where herbs play a special part. The Christian Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday (April 1) and continues through Easter Sunday (April 8) with herbs playing a part in their celebration as well.
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