Definition and Description:
Myrrh is a fragrant gum resin obtained from the Commiphora species of trees, native to regions such as Arabia, Ethiopia, and Somalia. It has been highly valued since ancient times for its aromatic properties and its use in perfumes, incense, and medicinal preparations. In the Bible, myrrh is frequently mentioned as a valuable commodity and holds significant symbolic and practical importance.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· Genesis 37:25: Myrrh is first mentioned in the context of trade. Joseph's brothers sold him to a caravan of Ishmaelites who were carrying myrrh, among other goods, to Egypt. "As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm, and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt."
· Exodus 30:23-25: Myrrh is a key ingredient in the sacred anointing oil used in the Tabernacle. "Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil."
· Song of Solomon 1:13: Myrrh is used as a metaphor for love and beauty. "My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts."

2. New Testament:
· Matthew 2:11: Myrrh is one of the gifts presented to Jesus by the Magi, symbolizing His future suffering and death. "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."
· Mark 15:23: Myrrh is offered to Jesus mixed with wine as He is crucified, which He refuses. "There they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it."
· John 19:39: Myrrh is used in the burial of Jesus, signifying its role in embalming and honoring the dead. "Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds."

Symbolism and Significance:
Myrrh holds deep symbolic meaning in the Bible. It is often associated with suffering and death, as seen in its use during Jesus' crucifixion and burial. The gift of myrrh by the Magi foreshadows Jesus' sacrificial death. Additionally, myrrh's inclusion in the sacred anointing oil signifies its role in consecration and holiness, setting apart individuals and objects for divine purposes.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient times, myrrh was a highly prized commodity, often worth its weight in gold. It was used in religious rituals, as a perfume, and for its medicinal properties, including as an antiseptic and analgesic. The trade of myrrh was a significant economic activity, linking various cultures and regions.

Theological Implications:
The use of myrrh in the Bible underscores themes of sacrifice, worship, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It serves as a reminder of the cost of redemption and the sanctity of those set apart for God's purposes. Myrrh's presence in both the Old and New Testaments highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan through history.Myrrh

This substance is mentioned in (Exodus 30:23) as one of the ingredients of the "oil of holy ointment:" in (Esther 2:12) as one of the substances used in the purification of women; in (Psalms 45:8; Proverbs 7:17) and in several passages in Canticles, as a perfume. The Greek occurs in (Matthew 2:11) among the gifts brought by the wise men to the infant Jesus and in (Mark 15:23) it is said that "wine mingled with myrrh" was offered to but refused by, our Lord on the cross. Myrrh was also used for embalming. See John 19;39 and Herod. ii. 86. The Balsamodendron myrrha , which produces the myrrh of commerce, has a wood and bark which emit a strong odor; the gum which exudes from the bark is at first oily, but becomes hard by exposure to the air. (This myrrh is in small yellowish or white globules or tears. The tree is small, with a stunted trunk, covered with light-gray bark, It is found in Arabia Felix. The myrrh of (Genesis 37:25) was probably ladalzum , a highly-fragrant resin and volatile oil used as a cosmetic, and stimulative as a medicine. It is yielded by the cistus , known in Europe as the rock rose, a shrub with rose-colored flowers, growing in Palestine and along the shores of the Mediterranean. --ED.) For wine mingled with myrrh see GALL.

Myrrh

A precious gum yielded by a tree common in Africa and Arabia, which is about eight or nine feet high; its wood hard, and its trunk thorny. It was of several kinds, and various degrees of excellence. The best was an ingredient in the holy ointment, Exodus 30:23. It was also employed in perfumes, Esther 2:12 Psalm 45:8 So 4:6 5:5,13; and in embalming, to preserve the body from corruption, John 19:39. The magi, who came from the East to worship Christ, offered him myrrh, Matthew 2:11.

In Mark 15:23, is mentioned "wine mingles with myrrh," which was offered to Jesus previous to his crucifixion, and intended to deaden the anguish of his sufferings. It was a custom among the Hebrews to give such stupefying liquors to persons who were about to be capitally punished, Proverbs 31:6. Some have thought that the myrrhed wine of Mark is not the same as the "vinegar mingled with gall" of Matthew 27:34. They suppose the myrrhed wine was given to our Lord from a sentiment of sympathy, to prevent him from feeling too sensibly the pain of his sufferings; while the potation mingled with gall, of which he would not drink, was given from cruelty. But the other explanation is the more probable. See GALL.

Hebrews mor.

(1.) First mentioned as a principal ingredient in the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:23). It formed part of the gifts brought by the wise men from the east, who came to worship the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:11). It was used in embalming (John 19:39), also as a perfume (Esther 2:12; Psalm 45:8; Proverbs 7:17). It was a custom of the Jews to give those who were condemned to death by crucifixion "wine mingled with myrrh" to produce insensibility. This drugged wine was probably partaken of by the two malefactors, but when the Roman soldiers pressed it upon Jesus "he received it not" (Mark 15:23). (see GALL.)

This was the gum or viscid white liquid which flows from a tree resembling the acacia, found in Africa and Arabia, the Balsamodendron myrrha of botanists. The "bundle of myrrh" in Cant. 1:13 is rather a "bag" of myrrh or a scent-bag.

(2.) Another word lot is also translated "myrrh" (Genesis 37:25; 43:11; R.V., marg., "or ladanum"). What was meant by this word is uncertain. It has been thought to be the chestnut, mastich, stacte, balsam, turpentine, pistachio nut, or the lotus. It is probably correctly rendered by the Latin word ladanum, the Arabic ladan, an aromatic juice of a shrub called the Cistus or rock rose, which has the same qualities, though in a slight degree, of opium, whence a decoction of opium is called laudanum. This plant was indigenous to Syria and Arabia.

(n.) A gum resin, usually of a yellowish brown or amber color, of an aromatic odor, and a bitter, slightly pungent taste. It is valued for its odor and for its medicinal properties. It exudes from the bark of a shrub of Abyssinia and Arabia, the Balsamodendron Myrrha. The myrrh of the Bible is supposed to have been partly the gum above named, and partly the exudation of species of Cistus, or rockrose.MYRRH

mur:

(1) (mor or mowr; Arabic murr): This substance is mentioned as valuable for its perfume (Psalm 45:8 Proverbs 7:17 Songs 3:6; Songs 4:14), and as one of the constituents of the holy incense (Exodus 30:23; see also Songs 4:6; Songs 5:1, 5, 13). Mor is generally identified with the "myrrh" of commerce, the dried gum of a species of balsam (Balsamodendron myrrha). This is a stunted tree growing in Arabia, having a light-gray bark; the gum resin exudes in small tear-like drops which dry to a rich brown or reddish-yellow, brittle substance, with a faint though agreeable smell and a warm, bitter taste. It is still used as medicine (Mark 15:23). On account, however, of the references to "flowing myrrh" (Exodus 30:23) and "liquid myrrh" (Songs 5:5, 13), Schweinfurth maintains that mor was not a dried gum but the liquid balsam of Balsamodendron opobalsamum.

See BALSAM.

Whichever view is correct, it is probable that the smurna, of the New Testament was the same. In Matthew 2:11 it is brought by the "Wise men" of the East as an offering to the infant Saviour; in Mark 15:23 it is offered mingled with wine as an anesthetic to the suffering Redeemer, and in John 19:39 a "mixture of myrrh and aloes" is brought by Nicodemus to embalm the sacred body.

(2) (loT, stakte; translated "myrrh" in Genesis 37:25, margin "ladanum"; 43:11): The fragrant resin obtained from some species of cistus and called in Arabic ladham, in Latin ladanum. The cistus or "rock rose" is exceedingly common all over the mountains of Palestine (see BOTANY), the usual varieties being the C. villosus with pink petals, and the C. salviaefolius with white petals. No commerce is done now in Palestine in this substance as of old (Genesis 37:25; Genesis 43:11), but it is still gathered from various species of cistus, especially C. creticus in the Greek Isles, where it is collected by threshing the plants by a kind of flail from which the sticky mass is scraped off with a knife and rolled into small black balls. In Cyprus at the present time the gum is collected from the beards of the goats that browse on these shrubs, as was done in the days of Herodotus iii.112).

E. W. G. Masterman

4669. smurnizo -- to be like myrrh, to mingle with myrrh
... to be like myrrh, to mingle with myrrh. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: smurnizo
Phonetic Spelling: (smoor-nid'-zo) Short Definition: I mingle with myrrh ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4669.htm - 7k

4666. smurna -- myrrh (used as an ointment and for embalming)
... myrrh (used as an ointment and for embalming). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: smurna Phonetic Spelling: (smoor'-nah) Short Definition: myrrh ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4666.htm - 6k

4667. Smurna -- "myrrh," Smyrna, an Ionian city in Asia Minor
... 4666, 4667. Smurna. 4668 . "myrrh ... Word Origin the same as smurna Definition
"myrrh," Smyrna, an Ionian city in Asia Minor NASB Word Usage Smyrna (2). Smyrna ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4667.htm - 6k

250. aloe -- aloe
... 250 -- "The strongly aromatic, quick-drying sap of a tree (the ) -- mixed with myrrh
and used for embalming" (); "the true aloe plant (, , 1:99). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/250.htm - 6k

3464. muron -- ointment
... ointment. Probably of foreign origin (compare more, smurna); "myrrh", ie (by
implication) perfumed oil -- ointment. see HEBREW more. see GREEK smurna. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3464.htm - 7k

4753. mor -- myrrh
... myrrh. Transliteration: mor or mor Phonetic Spelling: (mor) Short Definition: myrrh.
Word Origin from marar Definition myrrh NASB Word Usage myrrh (12). myrrh. ...
/hebrew/4753.htm - 6k

3910. lot -- myrrh
... myrrh. Transliteration: lot Phonetic Spelling: (lote) Short Definition: myrrh. Word
Origin of uncertain derivation Definition myrrh NASB Word Usage myrrh (2). ...
/hebrew/3910.htm - 5k

2153. Zilpah -- one of Jacob's wives
... Zilpah. : from an unused root apparently meaning to trickle, as myrrh; fragrant
dropping; Zilpah, Leah's maid -- Zilpah. 2152, 2153. Zilpah. 2154 . ...
/hebrew/2153.htm - 6k

A Bundle of Myrrh
... A Bundle of Myrrh. A Sermon (No.558). ... "A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto
me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.""Song of Solomon 1:13. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a bundle of myrrh.htm

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair ...
... FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH."Thou art all fair, My love;
there is no spot in thee.""Song of Solomon iv. 7. FRAGRANT ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/fragrant spices from the mountains.htm

A Bundle of Myrrh is My Well-Beloved unto Me; He Shall Abide ...
... COMMENTARY. CHAPTER I. 12. A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me;
he shall abide between my breasts. When the Bride, or rather ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/12 a bundle of myrrh.htm

God's Cup of Myrrh
... CHAPTER LIII GOD'S CUP OF MYRRH. I would bear in my body the dying, Of Him
who has died for me ". Here share, O my Lord, Thy rejection,. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter liii gods cup of.htm

Moreover, Flies Falling into Myrrh, and Suffocated Therein, Make ...
... Chapter X. Moreover, flies falling into myrrh, and suffocated therein,
make both the appearance of that pleasant? Moreover, flies ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter x moreover flies falling.htm

It is Related Also that vinegar was Given Him to Drink, or Wine ...
... 26. It is related also that vinegar was given Him to drink, or wine mingled
with myrrh which is bitterer than gall. Hear what the ...
/.../26 it is related also.htm

Until the Day Break and the Shadows Flee Away, I Will Get Me to ...
... CHAPTER IV. 6. Until the day break and the shadows flee away, I will get me
to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/6 until the day break.htm

I Rose up to Open to My Beloved; My Hands Dropped with Myrrh, and ...
... CHAPTER V. 5. I rose up to open to my beloved; my hands dropped with myrrh,
and my fingers were bathed with the choicest myrrh. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/5 i rose up to.htm

His Cheeks are as a Bed of Spices, Prepared by the Perfumers; his ...
... CHAPTER V. 13. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, prepared by the perfumers;
His lips like lilies, dropping choice myrrh. The cheeks ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/13 his cheeks are as.htm

Spikenard and Saffron; Calamus and Cinnamon with all the Trees of ...
... CHAPTER IV. 14. Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon with all the trees
of Lebanon; myrrh and aloes with all the chief ointments. ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/14 spikenard and saffron calamus.htm

Myrrh (22 Occurrences)
... It was a custom of the Jews to give those who were condemned to death by
crucifixion "wine mingled with myrrh" to produce insensibility. ...
/m/myrrh.htm - 18k

Aloes (5 Occurrences)
... memorable use of aloes as a spice is in John 19:39: "There came also Nicodemus,
he who at the first came to him at night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes ...
/a/aloes.htm - 12k

Stacte (1 Occurrence)
... opobalsamum"). The Hebrew word is from a root meaning "to distil," and it has
been by some interpreted as distilled myrrh. ... mixed. See MYRRH. ...
/s/stacte.htm - 8k

Liquid (15 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:23 "Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels; and
of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty; and of fragrant ...
/l/liquid.htm - 11k

Cinnamon (4 Occurrences)
... In Exodus 30:23 it is one of the ingredients of the "holy anointing oil"; in Proverbs
7:17 it is, along with myrrh and aloes, a perfume for a bed; in Songs 4 ...
/c/cinnamon.htm - 10k

Sweet-smelling (14 Occurrences)
... Exodus 30:23 Take thou also unto thee the chief spices, of flowing myrrh five hundred
shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty ...
/s/sweet-smelling.htm - 10k

Spice (25 Occurrences)
... 30:23), bosem, plural besamim, all from root "to attract by desire," especially
by smell): The list of spices in Exodus 30:23 includes myrrh, cinnamon, "sweet ...
/s/spice.htm - 18k

Frankincense (22 Occurrences)
... See INCENSE. It is often associated with myrrh (Songs 3:6; Songs 4:6) and with
it was made an offering to the infant Saviour (Matthew 2:11). ...
/f/frankincense.htm - 19k

Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... 23-25. Olive oil formed the base. This was scented with "flowing myrrh....
sweet cinnamon.... sweet calamus.... and.... cassia." The ...
/o/ointment.htm - 18k

Cassia (3 Occurrences)
... India. (2.) Hebrew pl. ketzi'oth (Psalm 45:8). Mentioned in connection
with myrrh and aloes as being used to scent garments. It ...
/c/cassia.htm - 9k

Why did the Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about aromatherapy? | GotQuestions.org

What is gall in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Myrrh: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus