3030. libanos

Lexicon

libanos: Frankincense

Original Word: λίβανος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: libanos
Pronunciation: LEE-bah-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (lib'-an-os)
Definition: Frankincense
Meaning: (Semitic word), frankincense, incense.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

frankincense.

Of foreign origin (lbownah); the incense-tree, i.e. (by implication) incense itself -- frankincense.

see HEBREW lbownah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Semitic origin, cf. lebonah
Definition
the frankincense tree, frankincense
NASB Translation
frankincense (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3030: λίβανος

λίβανος, λιβάνου, ὁ (more rarely ἡ (cf. Lob., as below));

1. the frankincense-tree (Pindar, Herodotus, Sophocles, Euripides, Theophrastus, others).

2. frankincense (Hebrew לְבֹנָה; Leviticus 2:1f, 16; Isaiah 60:6, etc.): Matthew 2:11; Revelation 18:13; (Sophocles, Theophrastus, others). Cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 187; (Vanicek, Fremdwörter, under the word. On frankincense see especially Birdwood in the Bible Educator, i., 328ff, 374ff.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from a Semitic origin, akin to the Hebrew לְבוֹנָה (lebonah).

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H3828 לְבוֹנָה (lebonah): Frankincense, a fragrant gum resin used in incense and offerings.

Usage: The term λίβανος is used in the New Testament to refer to frankincense, a valuable substance often associated with worship and offerings.

Context: λίβανος, translated as "frankincense," is a gum resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia. In ancient times, it was highly prized for its aromatic qualities and was a key component in incense offerings. Frankincense was one of the gifts presented to Jesus by the Magi, symbolizing His priestly role (Matthew 2:11, BSB: "On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.").

In the context of the New Testament, λίβανος is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, where it is associated with the prayers of the saints (Revelation 8:3, BSB: "Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne."). This highlights its symbolic role in worship and intercession.

Frankincense was also a significant element in the Old Testament sacrificial system, used in the Tabernacle and Temple rituals. Its inclusion in offerings underscored the importance of purity and devotion in worship. The use of λίβανος in the New Testament continues this tradition, emphasizing the continuity of worship practices and the fulfillment of Old Testament types in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

λιβανον λίβανον λίβανος λιβάνου λιβάνω libanon líbanon

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 2:11 N-AMS
GRK: χρυσὸν καὶ λίβανον καὶ σμύρναν
NAS: of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
KJV: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
INT: gold and frankincense and myrrh

Revelation 18:13 N-AMS
GRK: μύρον καὶ λίβανον καὶ οἶνον
NAS: and perfume and frankincense and wine
KJV: ointments, and frankincense, and wine,
INT: ointment and frankincense and wine

Strong's Greek 3030
2 Occurrences

λίβανον — 2 Occ.