What Is the Meaning of Frankincense & Myrrh?

Frankincense and Myrrh are both resins, originating from plants much like the one pictured.

Historically, frankincense and myrrh have been known as gifts that the wise men brought Jesus at his birth in Bethlehem. Still, this fact may not answer deeper questions, such as why these substances would be gift-worthy, what these men were saying about this baby by giving these gifts, whether these items are mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, and whether they are still meaningful today.

Frankincense

Myrrh comes from a shrub found in Africa, Yemen, and Red Sea countries.

Frankincense was a worthy gift because of its rarity. Giving it away meant you valued the recipient greatly. According to Denise Dornbush, a master gardener for Adams County, Pennsylvania, frankincense comes from a deciduous tree (one that loses its leaves annually) called Boswillia thurigera, now mostly found in Somalia. Only young trees yield well. To harvest, a gardener must cut deeply through the bark and peel off about a 5-inch strip. This causes a milky fluid to run and air-harden. After three months, this run-off looks like yellow tears, and the gardener scrapes it off. This procedure and limited trees make the substance rare and valuable.

Myrrh

Also rare is myrrh. Dornbursh states that it begins by dripping from ducts in the bark of the Commiphora shrub, which become irregularly shaped granules that are dark in color, brittle, and bitter to taste. Its value is also found in its strong perfume, which brought about its use as a fumigant of the temple, and in its medicinal purposes, which are anesthetic in nature.

Meaning

Myrrh was even offered at Jesus' crucifixion.

It is interesting to note that the meaning of these gifts includes more than their rarity. According to an article entitled "Anointing," pouring oils on a person elevated their status, especially in regards to worshipping God. Both items were key ingredients in sacred oils used for anointing. Culturally, this was done to inaugurate kings (whom they believed were chosen by God) or to consecrate (designate as holy) priests. The Hebrew word "mashiah" meant "anointed one" or "high priest," and developed into the word "messiah." Jesus is known in the Christian faith as The Messiah, who has experienced suffering and sacrificed his life so that all who follow him can live eternally with God. The main significance of these gifts then, is that the wise men were proclaiming baby Jesus to be The Messiah.

Other References

Frankincense and Myrrh are also mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. Nave's Compact Topical Bible mentions that the former is in Exodus 30:34, and that it is not allowed in sin offerings (Nave's 164). Myrrh was offered to Jesus on the cross in Mark 15:23, probably because it worked as an anesthetic to kill pain. It was also used for embalming (Nave's 331).

Today

The article "Anointing" also says that today Christians may still use these elements. Baptisms, confirmations and ordinations can use them, depending on the church and location. Some Christians use them to consecrate churches, altars, or bells.

References

• Denise Dornbush
• Anointing
• Nave's Compact Topical Bible published by Zondervan