Bible Dictionaries
Spikenard

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

nard , meaning "the stalk"; so our "spike-nard", Arabic sunbul . Song of Solomon 1:12; Song of Solomon 4:13-14. Of it the ointment with which Mary anointed Jesus was made; it was so costly that Judas and other disciples murmured at the waste (Mark 14:3-5; John 12:3-5), its worth being 300 denarii , about 9 British pounds 7s. 6d. A valerian, with roots of strong odor, acting on the nerves Νardostachys jatamansi (Sanskrit, "locks of hair," from the shaggy hair on the stem). Brought from distant India it suggested our Lord's declaration, "wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her." In lands distant as India, from whence it came, shall her gift of it to her Lord be told.

Bibliography Information
Fausset, Andrew R. Entry for 'Spikenard'. Fausset's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​fbd/​s/spikenard.html. 1949.