The Definition of the word Spikenard

Spikenard

(Heb. nerd), a much-valued perfume (Cant. 1:12; 4:13, 14). It "was "very precious", i.e., very costly (Mark 14:3; John 12:3," "5). It is the root of an Indian plant, the Nardostachys" "jatamansi, of the family of Valeriance, growing on the Himalaya" mountains. It is distinguished by its having many hairy spikes shooting out from one root. It is called by the Arabs sunbul "Hindi, "the Indian spike." In the New Testament this word is the" rendering of the Greek nardos pistike. The margin of the Revised "Version in these passages has "pistic nard," pistic being" "perhaps a local name. Some take it to mean genuine, and others" liquid. The most probable opinion is that the word pistike designates the nard as genuine or faithfully prepared.