In Exodus 30:34-36 the instructions for the mixing of the holy incense are given:
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: and thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: and thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.”
The Old Testament Apocrypha dating back to BC 180 mentions the formula for holy incense in Sirach 24:15, 1,000 years after Moses.
Most of the spices and perfumes that made up the Temple incense were lovely and fragrant, but Galbanum had a more earthy, parsley-like smell. The Jewish Talmud suggests that Galbanum—a less than wonderful fragrant resin—was included in the holy incense because “every communal fast that does not include the sinners of Israel is not a fast.”
The Hebrew word for “Galbanum” is cheleb, which means “the fat or the richest part.” The Torah instructed the priest that when he offered up the goat as an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma, all the cheleb (the fat) belonged to the Lord and was forbidden for human consumption.
Believers are to be “lean” and to avoid fulfilling their lusts of worldly affections. The excess Yah gives a believer is to be offered back up to Him to complete His mission and ministry on the earth, not for believers to be lazy and gluttonous with.
Therapeutic/Medicinal Uses
The essential oil of Galbanum is anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic.[1] It supports the kidneys and a woman’s menstrual cycle. It is also helpful with asthma, poor circulation, wounds, acne, bronchitis, cramps, indigestion, muscular aches and pains, nervous tension, scar tissue, and wrinkles.
Galbanum has been reported to bring harmony and balance, easing stress. It helps increase spiritual awareness and meditation.
[1] Essential Oils Desk Reference. Essential Science Publishing. Page 49.
For more information about the biblical essential oils, please visit Rebecca’s website at http://HealWithOil.com.
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