a word derived by the ancients from muro, "to flow," or from murra, "myrrh-oil" (it is probably of foreign origin; see MYRRH). The "ointment" is mentioned in the NT in connection with the anointing of the Lord on the occasions recorded in Matthew 26:7,9,12; Mark 14:3,4; Luke 7:37,38,46; John 11:2; 12:3 (twice),5. The alabaster cruse mentioned in the passages in Matthew, Mark and Luke was the best of its kind, and the spikenard was one of the costliest of perfumes. "Ointments" were used in preparing a body for burial, Luke 23:56 ("oinments"). Of the act of the woman mentioned in Matthew 26:6-13 , the Lord said, "she did it to prepare Me for burial;" her devotion led her to antedate the customary ritual after death, by showing both her affection and her understanding of what was impending. For the use of the various kinds of "ointments" as articles of commerce, see Revelation 18:13 .