Smells Like a Bible Quiz About Perfume to Me

Answer: The priests

The correct answer is the priests, as per Exodus 30:23-33. Verses 22-24 shed light in regards to the composition of the holy oil. The verses state the LORD told Moses to take five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cinnamon, two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane and five hundred shekels of cassia.

(According to the Easy to Read Version of the Bible, 500 shekels is the equivalent of twelve pounds and 250 shekels is six pounds.)

Scripture goes on to state the sweet smelling substance was to be used to anoint the tabernacle as well as Aaron and his sons to enable them to minister as priests.

Answer: Daniel

According to Daniel 10:1-3, Daniel refused to use anointing oils. In Verse 3, Daniel states, while mourning, he "ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine" and he did not anoint himself at all "till three whole weeks were fulfilled."

For the record, the NIV states Daniel did not use lotions for his three weeks of mourning while the Expanded Bible states he did not use any "perfumed oil".

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state it is believed Daniel was mourning because he wanted to understand a vision. See Daniel 10:4:21.

Answer: Ahasuerus

Ahasuerus, known as Xerxes in the NIV, is the correct answer. According to Esther 2:12, women in the king's harem had to complete twelve months of preparation, "according to the regulations for the women" before meeting with the king. The verse also states the preparations included "six months with oil of myrrh, and, six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women."

Answer: Proverbs

Proverbs is the correct answer. Details about the adulteress perfuming her bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon are found in Proverbs 7:17. Verse 16 states the woman's bed featured "colored coverings of Egyptian linen." Scripture goes on to tell of the woman issuing an invitation to "a young man devoid of understanding" to "take our fill of love until morning" as her husband "has gone on a long journey."

Answer: The Song of Solomon

All the perfumes mentioned in the question can be found in The Song of Solomon in the Old Testament. Chapter 4, Verses 13-14 tell of the perfume the woman in the Song of Solomon uses. The verses state:
"Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates
With pleasant fruits,
Fragrant henna with spikenard,
Spikenard and saffron,
Calamus and cinnamon,
With all trees of frankincense,
Myrrh and aloes,
With all the chief spices --"

The Song of Solomon tells of a love affair between a young country girl and the king. The girl is not identified. She is simply called 'the 'Shulamite'. The king in the passage is none other than Solomon, according to tradition.

Answer: Proverbs

The verse about ointment and perfume rejoicing the heart comes from Proverbs 27:9. The verse, in its entirety in the NKJV, states, "Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty counsel."

The NIV has as slightly different wording for the verses, stating, "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice."

Answer: The male lover in the Song of Solomon

The male lover in the Song of Solomon is the correct answer. In Song of Solomon 4:16, the male lover states, "Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense." In Song of Solomon 5:1, the male lover states, "I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice."

The Song of Solomon tells of a love affair between a young country girl, the Shulamite, and the king. In Song of Solomon 3:6, the Shulamite comments about her lover coming perfumed with myrrh and frankincense and "with all the merchant's fragrant powders."

Answer: The Wise Men

The Wise Men presented the Baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, according to Matthew 2:11. The same verse tells of the Wise Men, upon seeing Jesus, falling down and worshipping Him.

In the NIV, the Wise Men are referred to as Magi.

Answer: The home of a Pharisee

Luke 7:36-50 states a sinful woman anointed Christ's feet with perfume while in the house of a Pharisee. The incident in Luke 7 is not to be confused with Mary, the sister of Martha, anointing Christ's feet, as recounted in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8.

The passage in Luke tells of the woman taking an alabaster flask of flagrant oil and anointing Christ's feet as well as washing His feet with her tears. Scripture also says she wiped Christ's feet with the hair of her head.

Answer: Judas Iscariot

According to the 12th chapter of John, Judas became upset when he saw Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointing Jesus with the perfume, or costly oil. John 12:3, in the NKJV Bible, states: "Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil."

Verses 4 and 5 go on to state Judas Iscariot was indignant at the display of affection, stating the perfume could have been sold and given to the poor. However, John, the writer of the Gospel, states in the next verse that Judas didn't care about the poor and was putting on a false front.