Daniel NASB. Frankincense comes from tree resins. Frankincense was once greatly valued throughout the Middle East from Rome to India. It was very expensive and has a wonderful fragrance. Frankincense occurs fifteen times in the Bible. A quick survey reveals it was used primarily in biblical times for making incense Exodus and as an ingredient in sacrifices Leviticus Song of Solomon ; reveals it was also an ingredient in perfume.
Since frankincense was primarily used in the Bible in worship, frankincense speaks of the worship of God.. Exodus NASB. Myrrh is extruded from the gum of the Commiphora myrrh plant. Myrrh was less expensive than frankincense, but was still highly valued. Myrrh is referred to seventeen times in the Bible and is first mentioned in Genesis , where it was being carried by camels in a caravan. Myrrh was used for a variety of purposes in biblical times as a perfume Song of Solomon ; ; , 14; , 5, 13 , an anesthetic, for burial embalming John , as an ingredient in anointing oil Exodus , and to deodorize clothes.
According to Esther , it was also used in a cosmetic for women. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. John NASB. Since gold, frankincense and myrrh were highly prized by kings and emperors, these magi gave Jesus three very expensive gifts.
This is important to note when we look at the potential uses for the gifts in a moment. Church history and tradition have expanded on the story to name the men who actually gave the gifts — Melchior bringing gold, Caspar with frankincense, and Balthasar with myrrh.
It has also been suggested that, In addition to the honor and status implied by the value of the gifts of the magi, scholars think that these three were chosen for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his kingship, frankincense a symbol of his priestly role, and myrrh a prefiguring of his death and embalming.
Because the Magi were coming to hail the new king, gold makes sense as an acknowledgement of royalty. Gold was valuable, beautiful, and long-lasting. Scholars generally agree that the gift of gold represented Jesus as a king with an everlasting throne. It was a treasure befitting royalty, albeit royalty in the home of a young, poor family. As an interesting theory that is somewhat on the fringe, some believe the gold was entirely different.
Instead of precious metals, the theory explains that frankincense and myrrh were both precious resins used for fragrance and were both derived from the same region — from the east.
Gold seems out of place — one of these things is not like the other — unless it was gold-en spice like turmeric , as some like to claim that it was. In either view, the kingly connotations remain, and the message of the Magi is clear: this little baby was to be honored as royalty, no matter what the circumstances suggested!
Only an ancient incense that is still beneficial today. Frankincense was used in the temple routines, burned ceremonially by the priests. It was not native to that region, however, so obtaining frankincense from the east was costly. This gift was precious in both meaning and value. Because we now can analyze the properties and modes of action that substances like frankincense resin and its essential oil maintain, we can see further benefit beyond fragrance and ceremony.
What Dec. UV crime: Robbery with a golf club, sex abuse Next post. Breanna Olaveson Breanna Olaveson worked in the magazine industry before taking her writing from full-time to nap time with the birth of her first daughter. Related articles. How Prepared was the U. Young Living Event Cancelled. One Comment Can I have a copy of this sent to my e-mail address? Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published.
Advertising Information. Jason Nelson, advertising director or email jason uvmag.
0コメント