THERE ARE two traditions. The first, referred to in the carol ‘We Three Kings’, interprets the gifts as symbolising three aspects of Christ’s future life: gold representing kingship, frankincense (worship) and myrrh (death and mourning).
Keeping this in consideration, does frankincense have healing properties?
Substances that occur in frankincense have a number of possible health benefits. These include controlling bleeding, speeding up the wound-healing process, improving oral health, fighting inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, and improving uterine health.
Moreover, was frankincense used in the temple?
Frankincense was burned in censers and on special altars in Hebrew temples, in mosques, and in Christian churches. Beautiful censers were crafted in metal and ceramics for domestic and religious use.
What did Jesus do with the gold frankincense and myrrh?
The wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newborn king. Gold, of course, was valuable as currency. Frankincense is a valuable perfume. Myrrh is a precious ointment often used in the burial process.
What does the gift of frankincense mean?
Frankincense – the Deity of Jesus
The frankincense represents Jesus’ deity. In the Old Testament, frankincense was traditionally burned in the temple as an offering to God (Leviticus 2:2). By bringing this gift, the Magi affirmed Jesus was no ordinary man; he is both fully man and fully God.
What is frankincense used for spiritually?
Used in religious and spiritual rituals for thousands of years, frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. Because it is so fragrant when burnt, it was used by ancient people as a religious offering. In Christian symbolism, frankincense can represent Christ’s sacrifice.
What is special about frankincense?
Frankincense, along with myrrh, has been prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine and administered for treatment of blood stagnation and inflammation diseases in addition to pain relief and swelling. A study done by nine doctors in China revealed frankincense and myrrh may help in the treatment of cancer.
What was Gall used for in the Bible?
In Acts the Greek chole is translated bitterness while in Matthew 2:34 it is translated gall. The root word implies a substance of a greenish hue, like liver bile, while in Matthew’s account of the crucifixion it is a decoction of some product in wine, likely derived from a plant.
Where is frankincense mentioned in the Bible?
As per the Biblical tale, as recounted in Matthew 2:1-12, an infant Jesus of Nazareth was visited in Bethlehem on the eve of his birth by Magi bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Who gave Jesus frankincense?
Gaspar, king of Tarsus, land of merchants, was a youth of 20 and brought myrrh in a gold-mounted horn. Balthasar, king of Ethiopia or Saba, land of spices, was 40 and brought frankincense in a censer. He is traditionally depicted as black.
Why did Jesus get frankincense?
The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. This dates back to Origen in Contra Celsum: “gold, as to a king; myrrh, as to one who was mortal; and incense, as to a God.”
Why did the wise men bring frankincense and Mur?
By giving Jesus these three essential, holy and precious gifts, the wise men prepared Jesus, “the last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45), to offer the ultimate sacrifice as the new and everlasting high priest, bringing eternal light, life and God’s presence from heaven above to earth below.