Antonio Mcgowan
The gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh presented to Jesus by the three wise men hold significant meaning and value. Gold is symbolic of royalty, divinity, and Jesus' identity as the King of Kings. Frankincense, a fragrant resin, was used in worship and symbolized prayers rising to God, with its inclusion as a gift indicating Jesus' divinity and holiness. Myrrh, a fragrant spice, was used in embalming and symbolized Jesus' humanity, suffering, and the sacrifice of his life. These gifts were not only valuable but also held deeper theological significance, honoring Jesus and foreshadowing his life and ministry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symbolism of Gold | Faith, divinity, kingly status, charity, wealth |
| Symbolism of Incense | Holiness, faith, divinity, prayer, worship |
| Symbolism of Myrrh | Passion, suffering, death, humanity, bitterness, anointing |
| Other uses of Gold | Pagan idols were made from gold, the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold |
| Other uses of Incense | Burned in temples, mixed with oil to anoint priests, used in medicine |
| Other uses of Myrrh | Used in embalming, mixed with wine to stupefy, used as anointing oil for priests |
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What You'll Learn
Gold symbolises divinity, royalty and virtue
Gold has been associated with divinity, royalty, and virtue for millennia. In Christianity, gold is not just a symbol of wealth and opulence but also of the divine, reflecting God's glory and purity. Gold is used in religious artefacts, architecture, and scripture, signifying blessings, purity, and the sacred bond between individuals and the divine. In Christian liturgy and worship spaces, gold symbolises the heavenly and the eternal, with chalices and patens used in the Eucharist often made of gold or gilded metal, representing the sacredness of the sacraments and the presence of Christ.
Gold is also associated with royalty and wealth, worn by royalty, senior church officials, and the very wealthy throughout history. Its colour, a rich yellow, expresses joy, happiness, optimism, and celebration, befitting its association with the sun and its powers of illumination. Gold is also associated with honour, dignity, respect, and status.
Gold's value extends beyond its material worth, and it is often used to symbolise virtue and spiritual development. In Islamic calligraphy and manuscript illumination, gold leaf is used to decorate Qur'ans and other religious texts, elevating the written word to an art form and emphasising the sacredness of the word of God. In Buddhism, gold is revered for its spiritual symbolism, representing the sun's pure, radiant light and the timeless wisdom and purity of the Buddha's Dharma.
Gold is also associated with immortality and incorruptibility due to its immunity from rust and decay. In the Christian story of the Nativity, the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented to the newborn Jesus by the Magi were the richest of gifts, offered to a newborn king. The gold in this context symbolises Jesus' kingly status and divinity.
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Frankincense is a symbol of holiness, prayer and sacrifice
Frankincense, also known as "incense", is a dried resin from the Boswellia tree, which is native to Arabia and northern Africa. It has been used in perfumes and incense for thousands of years, and is also used in traditional medicine. In Christian symbolism, frankincense is a symbol of holiness, prayer, and sacrifice.
In the Bible, frankincense is mentioned over 50 times as an offering to God. In the Old Testament, it was used in Temple rituals, particularly in the offering of incense by priests. The rising smoke of burning frankincense is often associated with prayers ascending to heaven. In Christian symbolism, the gift of frankincense to Jesus by the Magi represents prayer and the worship of God. The act of offering frankincense to Jesus symbolically entrusts the prayers of humanity to the one true mediator between God and man.
Frankincense is also seen as a symbol of sacrifice and offering. In Leviticus, it is prescribed as part of various offerings to the Lord. This aspect of frankincense points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross and our call to offer our lives as a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" (Romans 12:1).
The gift of frankincense to the infant Jesus by the Magi is rich with significance, revealing powerful truths about the nature of Christ and His mission. The Magi were prophetically pointing to Jesus as the ultimate High Priest, who would offer not the blood of animals but His own life as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.
In addition to its symbolic meaning, frankincense was also a precious commodity, worthy of a king. It is believed that the gifts of the Magi, including frankincense, may have provided for the Holy Family during their flight to Egypt and early years.
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Myrrh symbolises death, suffering and anointing
Myrrh is a basic ingredient of the holy anointing oil. It is made from a gum resin, dried and compressed and burnt to produce an aromatic smoke. In the Bible, myrrh is mentioned in the Book of Proverbs, the Canticle of Canticles, and the Psalms.
Myrrh symbolises death. It was used in Hebrew and Egyptian funeral rites and is linked to the relics of martyrs and saints. It is also mentioned in the Bible in relation to the death of Jesus: "the myrrh was a sign of death as it clearly evoked the Hebrew and Egyptian funeral rites" and "the anointing at his sacrificial death".
However, in the light of the Resurrection, myrrh becomes a symbol of life: "myrrh, once transfigured, has become a sign of death no longer but of life everlasting". In the semantic shift of the word "myrrh" in Greek, it changes from meaning "bitterness" to meaning "perfume".
Myrrh also symbolises anointing. It is the "anointing oil of God that sets us apart unto Him". It is a symbol of the blessing and favour of God upon that which belongs solely to Him.
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The gifts are clues to the identity of the wise men
The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were brought by the three wise men, also known as the three kings or the three Magi, to the newborn Jesus. The wise men were distinguished foreigners who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing these gifts in homage to him. The wise men are believed to have been astrologers, as their study of the sky led them to Jesus.
The gifts themselves are rich offerings that could be presented to a newborn king. However, their significance may not lie in their religious symbolism or the wealth they represent. Instead, the gifts are thought to be clues to the identity of the wise men. The wise men were likely magi from the court of the Nabatean king Aretas IV. The Nabateans controlled the Arabian Peninsula and the vital trade routes from Yemen to the port of Gaza and from Egypt to Syria, Asia Minor, and Persia.
The specific gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh may have been chosen because they were commonly used as gifts for kings. Gold is a valuable metal that has long been associated with royalty, immortality, and deity. Frankincense, a dried resin from trees of the genus Boswellia, has been used in perfumes and incense for thousands of years. Myrrh, another dried resin from Arabia and northern Africa, has been valued for its aroma and medicinal properties, including its use as an antiseptic and analgesic.
The gifts may also hold spiritual meaning. Gold can symbolize kingship on earth, virtue, or prayer. Frankincense, as an incense, can represent deity or divinity. Myrrh, traditionally used as an embalming oil, can symbolize death or suffering.
The identities and backgrounds of the wise men, combined with their theological significance, have made them prominent figures in Christian tradition. They are often depicted in nativity scenes and artworks, and their story is retold in films and literature.
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The gifts may have financed Joseph and Mary's escape to Egypt
The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented to Jesus by the Three Wise Men may have been used to finance Joseph and Mary's escape to Egypt. The gifts were ordinary offerings to a king, and their spiritual meaning has been interpreted as gold symbolizing kingship, frankincense divinity, and myrrh death and suffering.
The gold, frankincense, and myrrh were likely very valuable and could have been used to fund the family's flight to Egypt. Matthew 2:13 mentions that an angel of the Lord warned Joseph of Herod's rage and instructed him to take refuge in Egypt, which was a journey of over 100 miles. For a humble family, such a trip would have been challenging without financial means.
While the Bible does not mention what happened to these gifts, traditions and interpretations have developed over time. One tradition suggests that Joseph and Mary used the gold to finance their travels to Egypt after an angel warned them of King Herod's plan to kill Jesus. The gold, frankincense, and myrrh were likely valuable enough to be carried by hand and could have been sold for a good price.
The gold, frankincense, and myrrh were also believed to have medicinal properties and were worth their weight in gold. Myrrh, in particular, was a key ingredient in preparing bodies for burial and could have been used to anoint Jesus' body after his crucifixion.
The gifts presented by the Three Wise Men may have played a crucial role in enabling Joseph and Mary's escape to Egypt, providing them with the financial resources needed for their journey and potentially supporting them during their stay in Egypt.
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Frequently asked questions
The gifts were intended to honour Jesus, but they also carried deeper theological significance. Gold is symbolic of Christ the King, frankincense is symbolic of Christ the High Priest, and myrrh symbolises Christ the Prophet.
Gold has long been associated with royalty, immortality, and deity. It is mentioned in the Bible in connection with kings and kingship, such as the crown of gold in Psalm 21:3 and the gold of Sheba brought to honour Solomon.
Frankincense is associated with worship and was burned in ancient temples. It is also mentioned in the Bible as an ingredient in the perfume of the sanctuary and as an accompaniment to meat and bread offerings.
Myrrh is a fragrant resin derived from the Commiphora tree, native to Arabia and Northern Africa. It has been used for thousands of years in perfumes, incense, and medicines. In the context of Jesus' life, myrrh was used to prepare bodies for burial.
