3828. lebonah
Lexical Summary
lebonah: frankincense, incense

Original Word: לְבוֹנָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: lbownah
Pronunciation: leh-voh-NAH
Phonetic Spelling: (leb-o-naw')
KJV: (frank-)incense
NASB: frankincense, incense
Word Origin: [from H3836 (לָבָן לָבֵן - white)]

1. frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
frankincense

Or lbonah {leb-o-naw'}; from laban; frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke) -- (frank-)incense.

see HEBREW laban

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from laben
Definition
frankincense
NASB Translation
frankincense (13), incense (8).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. לְבֹנָה, לְבוֺנָה noun feminine frankincense (from white colour, compare LagBN 33; Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic id., לְבוּנְתָּא, Phoenician לבנת; Arabic (Lane3007); Ethiopic is from λιβανος); — ׳ל Exodus 30:24 18t.; לְבֹנָתָהּ Leviticus 2:2,16; — used in preparation of holy incense Exodus 30:34 ("" סַמִּים); used as incense Jeremiah 6:20, on meal-offering Leviticus 2:1,2,15,16; Leviticus 6:8, compare Leviticus 5:11; Numbers 5:15; also Jeremiah 17:26; Jeremiah 41:5; Isaiah 43:23; Isaiah 66:3; with shew-bread Leviticus 24:7; Nehemiah 13:5,9; 1 Chronicles 9:29 ("" בְּשָׂמִים); burned as perfume (article of luxury) Songs 3:6 ("" מֹר); גִּבְעַת הַלְּבוֺנָה Songs 4:6 ("" הַר הַמּוֺר); עֲצֵי לְבוֺנָה Songs 4:14 ("" נֵרְדְּ, כַּרְכֹּם, קָנֶה, קִנָּמוֺן, מֹר, אֲהָלוֺת); as tribute to Zion Isaiah 60:6 ("" זהב). — In Hexateuch only P.

Topical Lexicon
Botanical and Commercial Background

Derived from the milky resin of trees native to Arabia and the Horn of Africa, לְבוֹנָה (frankincense) dries into “white” droplets whose sweet aroma is released when burned. Antiquity prized it as one of the costliest trade items; caravans from Sheba and Midian (Isaiah 60:6) moved it northward, and Solomon’s import network handled it in bulk (1 Chronicles 9:29).

Role in the Holy Incense

Frankincense is first mandated as an ingredient of the sanctuary incense (Exodus 30:34). The LORD required “stacte, onycha, and galbanum—fragrant spices with pure frankincense… in equal measures”. Its whiteness and fragrance underscored the purity of worship, and its smoke visually portrayed prayer ascending (compare Revelation 8:3-4).

Accompaniment to Grain and Memorial Offerings

Leviticus emphasizes frankincense as part of the minhah (“grain offering”). Fine flour mixed with oil was brought “with all its frankincense” (Leviticus 2:2). Placed on the altar, it became a “memorial portion,” reminding Israel that even their daily bread belonged to God. On the table of the Presence, twelve loaves were renewed each Sabbath “with pure frankincense on each row” (Leviticus 24:7), an act echoing continual intercession.

Symbol of Prayer, Purity, and Consecration

Repeated pairing with “memorial” language links frankincense to remembrance before God (Leviticus 2:2; 24:7). Its bright color and fragrance made it an apt emblem of purity (Psalm 141:2 alludes to incense typologically). Therefore prophets could indict Israel’s hypocrisy by pointing to abused incense: “What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba…? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable” (Jeremiah 6:20).

Absence in Sin and Jealousy Offerings

When poverty demanded a meager sin offering of flour, “he shall put no oil or frankincense on it” (Leviticus 5:11). Likewise the jealousy offering for suspected adultery required that it be “poured no oil on it nor put frankincense on it” (Numbers 5:15). The omission taught that atonement for sin rests on substitutionary sacrifice rather than pleasing aroma.

Temple Stewardship and Post-exilic Reforms

Frankincense had to be safeguarded. Levites “were entrusted with the fine flour, wine, oil, frankincense, and spices” (1 Chronicles 9:29). After the exile, Nehemiah expelled Tobiah from a chamber originally “assigned to the grain offerings, frankincense, and articles” (Nehemiah 13:5-9), restoring proper priorities in worship.

Aromatic Imagery in the Song of Songs

The Song celebrates frankincense as a perfume of intimacy and royal festivity: “Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense?” (Song of Songs 3:6). The bridegroom’s garden is “the hill of frankincense” (4:6), and the bride’s fragrance rivals “all the finest spices—with myrrh and aloes, and all the finest frankincense” (paraphrased 4:14). Such language hints at the delights of covenant love between Christ and His Church.

Prophetic Warnings Against Empty Ritual

Isaiah and Jeremiah both indict externalism. “You have not burdened Me with frankincense” (Isaiah 43:23) exposes neglect, while Isaiah 66:3 likens insincere incense to idolatry. These oracles affirm that devotion’s heart matters more than the ritual’s fragrance.

Messianic and Eschatological Horizons

Isaiah 60:6 foretells nations bringing “gold and frankincense” in praise—anticipating the Magi who presented those same gifts to the infant Messiah (Matthew 2:11). Revelation portrays heavenly elders holding “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8), showing the ultimate fulfillment of the symbol in Christ’s intercessory ministry and the church’s worship.

Use in Christian Worship and Devotion

While New Covenant worship is not bound to Levitical incense, frankincense remains a powerful emblem. Its ascending smoke invites believers to offer “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5), and its fragrance calls congregations to purity, remembrance, and heartfelt prayer.

Selected References

Exodus 30:34; Leviticus 2:1-16; 5:11; 24:7; Numbers 5:15; 1 Chronicles 9:29; Nehemiah 13:5-9; Song of Songs 3:6; 4:6; 4:14; Isaiah 43:23; 60:6; 66:3; Jeremiah 6:20; 17:26; 41:5.

Forms and Transliterations
בִּלְבוֹנָֽה׃ בלבונה׃ הַלְּבֹנָ֔ה הַלְּבוֹנָ֜ה הַלְּבוֹנָֽה׃ הלבונה הלבונה׃ הלבנה וְהַלְּבוֹנָ֖ה וְהַלְּבוֹנָֽה׃ וּלְבֹנָ֣ה וּלְבוֹנָ֑ה וּלְבוֹנָ֔ה וּלְבוֹנָה֙ והלבונה והלבונה׃ ולבונה ולבנה לְבֹנָ֑ה לְבֹנָ֔ה לְבֹנָ֖ה לְבֹנָ֣ה לְבֹנָֽה׃ לְבֹנָתָ֑הּ לְבוֹנָ֑ה לְבוֹנָה֙ לבונה לבנה לבנה׃ לבנתה bil·ḇō·w·nāh bilḇōwnāh bilvoNah hal·lə·ḇō·nāh hal·lə·ḇō·w·nāh halləḇōnāh halləḇōwnāh hallevoNah lə·ḇō·nā·ṯāh lə·ḇō·nāh lə·ḇō·w·nāh ləḇōnāh ləḇōnāṯāh ləḇōwnāh levoNah levonaTah ū·lə·ḇō·nāh ū·lə·ḇō·w·nāh ūləḇōnāh ūləḇōwnāh ulevoNah vehallevoNah wə·hal·lə·ḇō·w·nāh wəhalləḇōwnāh
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 30:34
HEB: וְחֶלְבְּנָ֔ה סַמִּ֖ים וּלְבֹנָ֣ה זַכָּ֑ה בַּ֥ד
NAS: with pure frankincense; there shall be an equal part
KJV: with pure frankincense: of each
INT: and galbanum spices frankincense pure part

Leviticus 2:1
HEB: וְנָתַ֥ן עָלֶ֖יהָ לְבֹנָֽה׃
NAS: oil on it and put frankincense on it.
KJV: upon it, and put frankincense thereon:
INT: and put and frankincense

Leviticus 2:2
HEB: עַ֖ל כָּל־ לְבֹנָתָ֑הּ וְהִקְטִ֨יר הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
NAS: with all of its frankincense. And the priest
KJV: thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest
INT: with all frankincense shall offer and the priest

Leviticus 2:15
HEB: וְשַׂמְתָּ֥ עָלֶ֖יהָ לְבֹנָ֑ה מִנְחָ֖ה הִֽוא׃
NAS: on it and lay incense on it; it is a grain offering.
KJV: upon it, and lay frankincense thereon: it [is] a meat offering.
INT: and lay and incense offering he

Leviticus 2:16
HEB: עַ֖ל כָּל־ לְבֹנָתָ֑הּ אִשֶּׁ֖ה לַיהוָֽה׃
NAS: with all its incense as an offering by fire
KJV: thereof, and [part] of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: [it is] an offering made by fire
INT: with all incense an offering to the LORD

Leviticus 5:11
HEB: יִתֵּ֤ן עָלֶ֙יהָ֙ לְבֹנָ֔ה כִּ֥י חַטָּ֖את
NAS: on it or place incense on it, for it is a sin offering.
KJV: upon it, neither shall he put [any] frankincense thereon: for it [is] a sin offering.
INT: place and incense for offering

Leviticus 6:15
HEB: וְאֵת֙ כָּל־ הַלְּבֹנָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־
NAS: and all the incense that is on the grain offering,
KJV: and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which [is] upon the meat offering,
INT: oil and all the incense that is on

Leviticus 24:7
HEB: עַל־ הַֽמַּעֲרֶ֖כֶת לְבֹנָ֣ה זַכָּ֑ה וְהָיְתָ֤ה
NAS: pure frankincense on each row
KJV: pure frankincense upon [each] row,
INT: on row frankincense pure become

Numbers 5:15
HEB: יִתֵּ֤ן עָלָיו֙ לְבֹנָ֔ה כִּֽי־ מִנְחַ֤ת
NAS: put frankincense on it, for it is a grain offering
KJV: upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it [is] an offering
INT: put and frankincense grain offering

1 Chronicles 9:29
HEB: וְהַיַּ֣יִן וְהַשֶּׁ֔מֶן וְהַלְּבוֹנָ֖ה וְהַבְּשָׂמִֽים׃
NAS: and the oil and the frankincense and the spices.
KJV: and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.
INT: and the wine and the oil and the frankincense and the spices

Nehemiah 13:5
HEB: אֶת־ הַמִּנְחָ֨ה הַלְּבוֹנָ֜ה וְהַכֵּלִ֗ים וּמַעְשַׂ֤ר
NAS: the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils
KJV: the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels,
INT: put offerings the frankincense the utensils and the tithes

Nehemiah 13:9
HEB: אֶת־ הַמִּנְחָ֖ה וְהַלְּבוֹנָֽה׃ פ
NAS: with the grain offerings and the frankincense.
KJV: with the meat offering and the frankincense.
INT: for offerings and the frankincense

Songs 3:6
HEB: מְקֻטֶּ֤רֶת מוֹר֙ וּלְבוֹנָ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל אַבְקַ֥ת
NAS: with myrrh and frankincense, With all
KJV: with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders
INT: Perfumed myrrh and frankincense all scented

Songs 4:6
HEB: וְאֶל־ גִּבְעַ֖ת הַלְּבוֹנָֽה׃
NAS: And to the hill of frankincense.
KJV: and to the hill of frankincense.
INT: and to the hill of frankincense

Songs 4:14
HEB: כָּל־ עֲצֵ֣י לְבוֹנָ֑ה מֹ֚ר וַאֲהָל֔וֹת
NAS: the trees of frankincense, Myrrh
KJV: with all trees of frankincense; myrrh
INT: all the trees of frankincense Myrrh and aloes

Isaiah 43:23
HEB: וְלֹ֥א הוֹגַעְתִּ֖יךָ בִּלְבוֹנָֽה׃
NAS: Nor wearied you with incense.
KJV: nor wearied thee with incense.
INT: Nor wearied incense

Isaiah 60:6
HEB: יָבֹ֑אוּ זָהָ֤ב וּלְבוֹנָה֙ יִשָּׂ֔אוּ וּתְהִלֹּ֥ת
NAS: gold and frankincense, And will bear good news
KJV: gold and incense; and they shall shew forth
INT: will come gold and frankincense will bring of the praises

Isaiah 66:3
HEB: חֲזִ֔יר מַזְכִּ֥יר לְבֹנָ֖ה מְבָ֣רֵֽךְ אָ֑וֶן
NAS: He who burns incense is [like] the one who blesses
KJV: he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed
INT: swine's burns incense blesses an idol

Jeremiah 6:20
HEB: זֶּ֨ה לִ֤י לְבוֹנָה֙ מִשְּׁבָ֣א תָב֔וֹא
NAS: purpose does frankincense come
KJV: To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba,
INT: what purpose frankincense Sheba come

Jeremiah 17:26
HEB: וְזֶ֖בַח וּמִנְחָ֣ה וּלְבוֹנָ֑ה וּמְבִאֵ֥י תוֹדָ֖ה
NAS: grain offerings and incense, and bringing
KJV: and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing
INT: sacrifices offerings and incense and bringing sacrifices

Jeremiah 41:5
HEB: וּמִתְגֹּֽדְדִ֑ים וּמִנְחָ֤ה וּלְבוֹנָה֙ בְּיָדָ֔ם לְהָבִ֖יא
NAS: having grain offerings and incense in their hands
KJV: themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand,
INT: gashed offerings and incense their hands to bring

21 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3828
21 Occurrences


bil·ḇō·w·nāh — 1 Occ.
hal·lə·ḇō·nāh — 3 Occ.
lə·ḇō·nāh — 8 Occ.
lə·ḇō·nā·ṯāh — 2 Occ.
ū·lə·ḇō·nāh — 5 Occ.
wə·hal·lə·ḇō·w·nāh — 2 Occ.

3827
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