When burned, it gave off a sweet-smelling fragrance. Today, frankincense is a popular essential oil (sometimes called olibanum). Frankincense was a key part of the sacrifices to Yahweh in Old Testament worship. 15 And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the Lord. © 2021 A&E Television Networks, LLC. In the early years of Christianity, incense was expressly forbidden because of its associations with pagan worship; later, however, some denominations, including the Catholic Church, would incorporate the burning of frankincense, myrrh and other aromatic items into specific rites. Frankincense was poured on the bread as it lay there, being kept in a golden bowl alongside the table, together with other golden dishes and vessels for use in a drink offering. Easily, the most famous mention is that it was one of 3 presents that the wise men presented to the child Jesus (Mt 2:11). The harvester would return and scrape the crystals off, and also collect the less pure resin that had dripped down the trunk onto a palm leaf placed on the ground. Balsam trees from which Frankincense is obtained, are related to turpentine trees. In Exodus, the Lord said to Moses: “Gather fragrant spices—resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum—and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts. After 2-3 weeks, the frankincense resin is ready to be collected. Once considered priceless, the ancient remedies frankincense and myrrh are drawing new attention from medical researchers. Frankincense, a vegetable resin, brittle, glittering, and of a bitter taste, used for the purpose of sacrificial fumigation. It was used as a primary component of the holy … Today, researchers like the Cardiff team are drawing on this centuries-old knowledge to develop modern treatments for a variety of disorders. It is believed to ease stress, improve heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure, boost immune function, relieve pain, treat dry skin, reverse the signs of aging, fight cancer, as well many other health benefits. There is also a phonetic guide to use to see the proper pronunciation of Frankincense . The mixture included equal parts of the sweet spices stacte, onycha, and galbanum, mixed with pure frankincense and seasoned with salt (Exodus 30:34). But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. Frankincense is used for pain and swelling in people with various diseases. According to the Hebrew Bible, frankincense and myrrh were components of the holy incense ritually burned in Jerusalem’s sacred temples during ancient times. According to the Bible, Frankincense was a component of holy incense for worship to God. In their time, they were worth as much as gold, and fought over like oil today. Frankincense was used in ancient Israelite temple worship as:. It burns for a long time, with a steady flame. Early attempts to grow the trees in the Levant—and specifically in what is now Israel—failed, according to Touwaide. In antiquity, writes Cotton, these saps were worth just as … Frankincense has been investigated as a possible treatment for some cancers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, anxiety and asthma, among other conditions. So scholars think that frankincense was presented to the infant Jesus to symbolize his later role as a high priest for believers while myrrh symbolized his later death and burial. Frankincense Dried sap (gum resin) from trees and bushes of certain species of the genus Boswellia. The holy anointing oil described in Exodus was made with myrrh, sweet cinnamon, calamus, cassia and olive oil. For the young Jesus, this gift symbolized his divinity or his status as high priest. “We have textual—and also archaeological—evidence that both frankincense and myrrh were used as medicinal substances in antiquity,” confirmed Alain Touwaide, a historian of medicine at the Institute for the Preservation of Medical Traditions and the Smithsonian Institution. If these ancient remedies can indeed provide relief for the many patients who suffer from these potentially devastating illnesses, the great incense roads of antiquity may flourish once again. Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. Why is the frankincense smell important? Frankincense was a precious spice with great significance and worth in ancient times. Frankincense, which was often burned, symbolized prayer rising to the heavens like smoke, while myrrh, which was often used in embalming, symbolized death. The ancient Greeks and Romans also imported massive amounts of the resins, which they burned as incense, used during cremations and took for a wide variety of ailments. This was considered a pure and holy recipe containing sweet spices mixed with pure frankincense. Frankincense and myrrh today No other oils ingredients should be listed. The wise men understood this. Frankincense was a key part of worship in the Old Testament and a costly gift brought to the baby Jesus. Ancient uses and value This free audio Bible name pronunciation guide is a valuable tool in your study of God’s word. The leaking resin is allowed to harden and scraped off the trunk in tear-shaped droplets; it may then be used in its dried form or steamed to yield essential oils. Frankincense was a very expensive substance because it was collected in remote parts of Arabia, North Africa, and India and had to be transported long distances by caravan. In a series of clinical and laboratory studies over the last two decades, frankincense and myrrh have shown promise in addressing a number of common disorders. It is believed that the Babylonians and Assyrians burned them during religious ceremonies. By this time, medical practitioners had recognized and documented the substances’ antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, prescribing them for everything from indigestion and chronic coughs to hemorrhoids and bad breath. They are also extremely fragrant, particularly when burned, with frankincense giving off a sweet, citrusy scent and myrrh producing a piney, bitter odor. Most of the references in the OT are instructions as to how and how not to use this scent (Lev 2:1; 5:11).In Song of Solomon 3:6 the references are to frankincense as perfume. Frankincense tree in Dhofar mountain, Oman What is Frankincense used for? Mark notes that when Jesus was dying on the cross , someone offered him wine mixed with myrrh to stop the pain, but he did not take it. Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. The fragrant gum resin obtained from balsam trees (Boswellia) can be ground into a powder and burned to produce a balsam-like odor. While the advent of modern medicine dealt another blow to the market for frankincense and myrrh, some communities and alternative practitioners continue to prize the resins for their healing properties. Both substances are edible and often chewed like gum. Since the early days of Christianity, Biblical scholars and theologians have offered varying interpretations of the meaning and significance of the gold, frankincense and myrrh that the magi presented to Jesus, according to the Gospel of Matthew (2:11). What are frankincense and myrrh? Many popular natural toothpastes contain myrrh, which has proven beneficial to dental and gum health since ancient times. 2:11. Frankincense was probably used in Jesus’ burial in the tomb. A: Frankincense is mentioned 17 times in the Bible (15 OT, 2 NT) (plus called “incense” in 6 other verses). It burns for a long time, with a steady flame. Cleopatra is said to have used frankincense oil, in conjunction with geranium oil, as a skin treatment. Does the Bible Actually Say 'Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness? The Hebrew word for frankincense is labonah, which means "white," referring to the gum's color. ( Exodus 30:34-36) It was called frank because of the freeness with which, when burned, it gives forth its odor. This is another one of the gifts the wise men presented to baby Jesus. The shrubby trees that produce them are native to the Arabian Peninsula and regions of northeast Africa, though Boswellia has also been cultivated in southern China. Click the PLAY button below to hear how to pronounce Frankincense . The event is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, which also tells of their gifts: Only the book of Matthew records this episode of the Christmas story. Maintains Oral Health. What Does the Bible Say About Burning Sage? The species has star-shaped flowers that are pure white or green, tipped with rose. What oils are used for anointing? The … ', Holy Week Timeline: From Palm Sunday to the Resurrection, Scripture Readings for the Third Week of Lent, Scripture Readings for the Fourth Week of Lent, Book of Daniel From the King James Version of the Bible, Christian Meditation From a Biblical Viewpoint, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. For instance, both are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and aromatherapy. Matthew states that the Three Kings visited the child Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense , and myrrh. Frankincense and myrrh are both tree resins. What you may not know is that is one of the most… The ancient Egyptians bought entire boatloads of the resins from the Phoenicians, using them in incense, insect repellent, perfume and salves for wounds and sores; they were also key ingredients in the embalming process. Frankincense was used in the temple routines, burned ceremonially by the priests. For more information about Frankincense , check out the Easton Bible dictionary entry as well. In the Bible, Frankincense is often associated with myrrh, another expensive spice that features prominently in Scripture (Song of Solomon 3:6; Matthew 2:11). It was an ingredient of the holy incense used at … You can find a recipe in Exodus 30:34 that Moses was instructed to concoct for God. Frankincense (also known as olibanum, Persian: کندر ‎ , Hebrew: לבונה ‎ , Arabic: اللبان ‎ al-libān or Arabic: البخور ‎ al-bakhūr, Somali: Uunsi) is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes, obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae, particularly Boswellia sacra (syn. Frankincense. These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. Frankincense is an ancient and fabled aromatic tree resin, which use as a fragrant perfume has been reported from a multitude of historical sources. Frankincense resin was used in the past for a variety of medicinal, religious and social purposes, and many of those purposes are still used today. The Roman historian and botanist Pliny the Elder, who recommended frankincense as an antidote to hemlock poisoning, wrote in the first century A.D. that the pricey dried sap had made the southern Arabians the richest people on earth. Though perhaps best known for their use in incense and ancient rituals, these substances—both of which boast proven antiseptic and inflammatory properties—were once considered effective remedies for everything from toothaches to leprosy. In Exodus, the Lord said to Moses: Wise men, or magi, visited Jesus Christ in Bethlehem when he was a year or two old. How was Frankincense used in the Bible? He is the author of "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges.". Leviticus 24:7 English Standard Version 7 And you shall put pure frankincense on each pile, that it may go with the bread as a memorial portion as a food offering to the Lord. Small traces of it have been found on mummies. Frankincense was a key part of the sacrifices to Yahweh in Old Testament worship. Frankincense was widely used by the ancient Egyptians in their religious rituals. (Frankincense has been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine since at least 500 B.C.) Frankincense is the gum or resin of the Boswellia tree, used for making perfume and incense. Since his ascension to heaven, Christ serves as high priest for believers, interceding for them with God the Father. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Incense is still used in some rites of the Roman Catholic Church. Its smoke symbolizes the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven. Leviticus 2:16 | View whole chapter | See verse in context And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the beaten corn thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it … Frankincense was often burned as an incense, while myrrh made its way into medicine and perfume. It's also known as gum olibanum. Frankincense is the king of the oils. For example, a 1996 paper reported that myrrh blunts pain in mice, while a 2009 study suggested that it might help lower cholesterol. Sacks of frankincense and potted saplings of myrrh-producing trees appear in murals decorating the walls of a temple dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt for roughly two decades until her death around 480 B.C. The magi from the east brought frankincense as one of their three gifts to Jesus when he was young. Frankincense and the other plant-derived treasure given to the newborn Jesus in the New Testament narrative—myrrh—have a long history dating back thousands of years. Frankincense may help prevent bad breath, toothaches, cavities and mouth … Gift of, Matt. The Jews may have learned how to prepare it while they were slaves in Egypt before the Exodus. Detailed instructions on how to properly use frankincense in sacrifices can be found in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. In Biblical times, hyssop grew in Egypt, in the desert of Sinai, and in Palestine.Today, it is … The gift of frankincense is said to have been an acknowledgement of Jesus’ priesthood, setting him apart from a typical king. Frankincense essential oil mixed with pure Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Israel Frankincense was commonly used in the Tabernacle—we find it in the grain offerings, it was burned on the golden altar and even used to sprinkle on the show breads. Its perhaps best-known use is to create a permeating scent by burning crystalized pieces during rites … It was a resin obtained from Boswellia trees, one of the most highly valued incense gums with a beautiful fragrance of balsam. It was not native to that region, however, so obtaining frankincense … Both frankincense and myrrh are derived from the gummy sap that oozes out of the Boswellia and Commiphora trees, respectively, when their bark is cut. Because frankincense and myrrh can be collected from multiple Boswellia and Commiphora species, several different varieties are available. According to the Hebrew Bible, frankincense and myrrh were components of the holy incense ritually burned in Jerusalem’s sacred temples during ancient times. And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon: it is a meat offering. Almost 1,500 years before the Magi brought gifts of frankincense and myrrh to Bethlehem, the ancient Egyptians included them among their vast materia medica. FRANKINCENSE (לְבֹנָה, H4247; κίβανος).Frankincense occurs fourteen times in the OT and twice in the NT. The Hebrew word for this spice is “levona” which means white likely derived from its milky color. The Bible records myrrh showing up three times in the life and death of Jesus Christ. Over a period of two or three months, the sap would leak from the tree and harden into white "tears." All Rights Reserved. Frankincense was used as a perfume and also for anointing and worship. At the time Jesus is thought to have been born, frankincense and myrrh may have been worth more than their weight in the third gift presented by the wise men: gold But despite their significance in the New Testament, the substances fell out of favor in Europe with the rise of Christianity and fall of the Roman Empire, which essentially obliterated the thriving trade routes that had developed over many centuries. Using the usual techniques of the incense maker, blend the spices together and sprinkle them with salt to … Myrrh oil served as a rejuvenating facial treatment, while frankincense was charred and ground into a power to make the heavy kohl eyeliner Egyptian women famously wore. It is then used to add aroma to many perfumes or it is used in aromatherapy. FRANKINCENSE [SMITH] a vegetable resin, brittle, glittering, and of a bitter taste, used for the purpose of sacrificial fumigation. Frankincense was used as comanded by God to Moses as an offering to God. By God's command, if anyone used this compound as personal perfume, they were to be cut off from their people. In ancient times, frankincense was used … Regularly marketed as the king of essential oils, frankincense has been sought after since ancient times, and for good reason. The hardened gum might be distilled to extract its aromatic oil for perfume, or crushed and burned as incense. In addition to many other historical accounts, the famous Bible passage notes that frankincense was one of the three gifts brought by the Three Wise Men and given to baby Jesus. Both frankincense—also known as olibanum—and myrrh have been traded in the Middle East and North Africa for upwards of 5,000 years. Gathering frankincense resin was a time-consuming process. 12; When buying pure frankincense essential oil, check the label for its Latin name, Boswellia Carterii or Boswellia sacra. It was one of the ingredients God instructed the Israelites to use in making the pure and sacred incense blend for the most holy place in the tabernacle. (Exodus 30:34-36) It was called frankbecause of the freeness with which, when burned, it gives forth its odor. In ancient times, the harvester scraped a 5-inch long cut on the trunk of this evergreen tree, which grew near limestone rocks in the desert. According to Touwaide, myrrh appears with more frequency than any other plant substance in the writings of the Greek physician Hippocrates, who revolutionized the field of medicine in the fourth and third centuries B.C. Hyssop. In fact, these same three items were apparently among the gifts, recorded in ancient inscri… The primary purpose of anointing someone or something was to sanctify or set it apart as holy. The English word frankincense comes from a French expression meaning "free incense" or "free burning." To harvest the smell and oils, frankincense is boiled. 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