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Spices were important commodities in the ancient world. Fragrant vegetable products, they were used for cosmetics, as sacred oil and incense for worship, as perfume, and for burial purposes. Extensive trade in spices was carried on, and one who had large quantities of spices was considered wealthy.

Jews, like other peoples in their region, used spices in preparing bodies for burial. The purpose was for ceremonial purification rather than for preservation of the bodies.