Aloes - Definition and Overview

In the Bible Aloes, Hebrew 'ahalim, is a fragrant wood mentioned at Num. 24:6; Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17; and Cant. 4:14). It is believed to be the Aquilaria agallochum of botanists, or, as some suppose, the costly gum or perfume extracted from the wood. It is found in China, Thailand, and Northern India, and grows to the height sometimes of 120 feet. This species is of great rarity even in India. There is another and more common species, called by Indians aghil, whence Europeans have given it the name of Lignum aquile, or eagle-wood. Aloewood was used by the Egyptians for embalming dead bodies. Nicodemus brought it (pounded aloe-wood) to embalm the body of Christ (); but whether this was the same as that mentioned elsewhere is uncertain.

For the "aloe vera" used in medicine see aloe.