SPIKENARD ( nçrd , Song of Solomon 1:12; Song of Solomon 4:13-14; also Gr. nardos pistike , Mark 14:3 , John 12:3 ). The fragrant oil of an Indian plant, Nardostachys jatamansi , which grows with a ‘spike.’ The Arab [Note: Arabic.] , name sunbul hindi , Indian spike, preserves the same idea. The perfume when pure was very valuable ( John 12:3 ).
About the meaning of the Gr. epithet pistikç there has been much speulation. See note in RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] at Mark 14:3 , and cf. art. ‘Spikenard’ in Hastings’ DCG [Note: CG Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels.] .
E. W. Masterman.