Anisha Riggs
The gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh are widely known as the offerings of the three wise men to the infant Jesus. The Bible does not explicitly state the significance of these gifts, but tradition and interpretation have led to a commonly accepted meaning for each. Gold, a precious metal, is a symbol of divinity and royalty, representing Jesus's status as King of the Jews. Frankincense, a fragrant gum resin, is used in worship and represents Jesus's role as a mediator between humanity and God. Myrrh, an aromatic spice, is used in anointing the dead and thus symbolises Jesus's death and the sacrifice he would make for mankind.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gold | Honour, holiness, divinity, royalty, wealth, glory of God |
| Frankincense | Worship, pleasure, divinity, prayer, sacrifice |
| Myrrh | Death, truth, prophecy, suffering, bitterness, affliction, Holy Spirit |
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What You'll Learn
Gold symbolises divinity, royalty and honour
Gold is a precious metal that is symbolic of divinity, royalty, and honour. It is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible, from the beginning in Genesis to the end in the book of Revelation.
Gold is symbolic of Christ the King. In the Bible, the Lord's anointed is pictured wearing a crown of gold in Psalm 21:3, and the gold of Sheba is brought as a gift. In the book of Exodus, God instructs the artisans to construct his dwelling place, the Tabernacle, out of many items of gold, including the lampstand of pure gold, curtain clasps, frames, decorations, and the breastplates for the priests. The Ark of the Covenant was also overlaid with gold.
Gold is also symbolic of honour. In the song "How Many Kings" by Downhere, the lyric "Gold for His honour" refers to the gift of gold presented to Jesus by the Magi.
The magi brought gold to honour the newborn King of the Jews, and as a valuable commodity that could finance Joseph and Mary's trip to Egypt. Gold is a symbol of royalty and kingly wealth, and it is worn by Jesus, the King of Kings.
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Frankincense is used for worship and has healing properties
Frankincense is a fragrant gum resin, derived from the sap of the Boswellia tree, native to the southern coastal Arabian regions. It is also known as olibanum. Frankincense is widely used in the Middle East and Africa, where it is produced by scraping the bark of native trees and harvesting the dried resin.
Frankincense is specifically mentioned in the Bible seven times, most notably as one of the three gifts given to Jesus by the three wise men from the East. The other two gifts were gold and myrrh. The gifts are symbolic: gold represents Jesus' honour as Christ the King, frankincense is used to worship Jesus and reveals his status as Christ the High Priest, and myrrh is symbolic of his death.
Frankincense is also mentioned in the Bible in connection with worship and sacrifice. It was one of the main ingredients in the holy anointing oil that God commanded be used in the making of the Tabernacle. It was also burned as incense at the altar as part of the sacrificial system prescribed by God.
Frankincense has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, particularly in the East. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anxiolytic properties. It is also used to treat gastric distress, promote gut health, and relieve pain. Frankincense is also used in aromatherapy and as a massage oil. It is believed to help relax the muscles, improve mental health, and offer pain relief.
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Myrrh symbolises death, suffering and the Holy Spirit
Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. It has been used as incense and, in ancient times, as perfume, anointing oil, and even as a medicinal tonic. Notably, myrrh was a key ingredient in the mixture of spices used to prepare bodies for burial. In this context, myrrh symbolises death and suffering.
In the Christian tradition, myrrh is associated with the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. According to the Tradition of the Church Fathers, myrrh symbolises death, specifically, as it was used in Hebrew and Egyptian funeral rites. However, myrrh also symbolises the power to overcome death and bestow life, representing the Holy Spirit. This is reflected in the semantic shift of the word "myrrh" in Greek, from "bitterness" to "perfume", signifying a transformation from death to life everlasting.
In the Bible, myrrh is mentioned in the Book of Proverbs, the Canticle of Canticles, and the Psalms, often linked to carnal and voluptuous pleasures, luxury, and richness. In the context of the Christmas story, myrrh, along with gold and frankincense, was presented to the newborn Jesus by the wise men as a gift. This gift may symbolise Jesus' consecrated life and sacrificial death, drawing a parallel with the use of myrrh in preparing priests and the Temple for sacrifices in the Old Covenant.
Thus, myrrh symbolises death and suffering in its traditional funerary use, but it also represents the Holy Spirit in Christian theology, signifying the power to overcome death and achieve everlasting life.
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The gifts represent Jesus' life and ministry
The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented to Jesus by the three wise men from the East hold significant meaning and symbolism with respect to Jesus' life and ministry.
Gold, a precious metal, is associated with royalty and divinity. It represents Jesus' identity as the King of Kings and acknowledges his kingship. In biblical times, gold was used in the construction of idols and was mentioned as a covering for the Ark of the Covenant, signifying its holiness. The gift of gold to Jesus by the Magi symbolizes the recognition of his royalty and everlasting throne.
Frankincense, an aromatic gum resin, was burned as incense during ceremonial worship of a deity. It was also used in anointing and had medicinal properties. The inclusion of frankincense as a gift for Jesus may indicate the wise men's understanding of his divinity and his role as a mediator between humanity and God. The burning of frankincense during worship symbolizes prayers rising to God, further emphasizing Jesus' role in bridging the gap between the divine and the earthly.
Myrrh, derived from the sap or resin of a tree, was used as a perfume, anointing oil, and for embalming. It is notably mentioned in the Bible as an ingredient used to prepare Jesus' body for burial. The gift of myrrh symbolizes Jesus' humanity, his suffering, and foreshadows his death. It points to the reality of his earthly mission—to sacrifice himself for the salvation of humanity.
Together, these gifts represent different aspects of Jesus' life and ministry: gold symbolizes his kingship and divinity, frankincense his priestly role and divinity, and myrrh his humanity, suffering, and sacrificial death. The wise men's gifts not only acknowledged Jesus' royalty but also prophetically pointed to his life's purpose and ministry.
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The gifts also represent Jesus' roles as King, Priest and Prophet
The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented to Jesus by the wise men from the East have significant meanings and connections to Jesus's life and ministry. These gifts also represent Jesus's roles as King, Priest, and Prophet.
Gold is a precious metal and a valuable commodity. It is a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible. Pagan idols were made from gold, and the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold (Exodus 25:10-17). The Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies, was an inner sanctuary within the Temple where the priest would encounter the presence of God. The walls of this place and the altar within it were completely overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:20-22). The wise men may have recognized Jesus as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah, associating the gift of gold with his divine nature and symbolizing his role as King.
Frankincense is an aromatic gum resin still widely used in the Middle East and Africa today. Burning incense at the altar was a key part of the sacrificial system prescribed by God for use in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple (Exodus 30). A specific recipe of spices mixed with "pure frankincense" was to be consecrated as "pure and holy," symbolizing Jesus's life as a pure and holy offering to God. The wise men may have offered frankincense to Jesus, recognizing his role as a High Priest, offering Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind.
Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. It was used as incense, perfume, anointing oil, and even as a medicinal tonic. Notably, myrrh was a key ingredient in preparing bodies for burial (John 19:39-40). Liquid myrrh was also a main ingredient in the anointing oil used to ceremonially prepare priests, instruments, altars, and the Temple itself before sacrifices (Exodus 30). Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction, foreshadowing Jesus's suffering and sacrificial death. The wise men may have presented myrrh to Jesus, recognizing his humanity and prophetic role in saving his people through his suffering and death on the cross.
Thus, the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh not only hold symbolic value but also represent Jesus's multifaceted roles as King, Priest, and Prophet, foreshadowing significant aspects of his life, ministry, and sacrificial death.
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Frequently asked questions
Gold, incense, and myrrh are symbolic of Jesus' honour, pleasure, and sacrifice. Gold is a precious metal that represents holiness and honour, frankincense is used in worship, and myrrh is a perfume used to anoint dead bodies.
The wise men, or magi, brought gifts to honour the newborn King of the Jews. The magi were foreign dignitaries, and these gifts were representative of their culture.
Frankincense is a fragrant gum resin that is still widely used in parts of the Middle East and Africa today. It is produced by scraping the bark of certain native species of trees and then harvesting the dried resin.
Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. It has been used as incense, perfume, anointing oil, and even as a medicinal tonic.
Gold is symbolic of divinity and royalty. It is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible, and the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold.
