Topical Encyclopedia
Frankincense is a fragrant resin obtained from trees of the genus
Boswellia, particularlyBoswellia sacra, which is native to the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Africa. It has been highly valued since ancient times for its aromatic properties and its use in religious and cultural rituals. In the Bible, frankincense is mentioned numerous times, often in the context of worship and offerings.
Biblical References:
1.Exodus 30:34-36 : Frankincense is a key ingredient in the sacred incense used in the Tabernacle. The LORD instructs Moses, "Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you."
2.Leviticus 2:1-2 : In the context of grain offerings, frankincense is used as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. "When anyone presents an offering of grain to the LORD, his offering shall consist of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it, and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall then take a handful of fine flour and olive oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this memorial portion on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD."
3.Matthew 2:11 : Frankincense is one of the gifts presented to Jesus by the Magi, symbolizing His priestly role. "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."
4.Song of Solomon 3:6 : Frankincense is associated with luxury and beauty, as seen in the poetic imagery of Solomon. "Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense from all the spices of the merchant?"
Symbolism and Use:
Frankincense holds significant symbolic meaning in the Bible. It represents prayer and worship, as its smoke rising to the heavens is likened to prayers ascending to God. InRevelation 8:3-4 , an angel offers incense with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne, illustrating the connection between incense and prayer.
The use of frankincense in offerings and worship underscores its role in sanctification and consecration. It is considered a symbol of purity and holiness, set apart for divine purposes. The inclusion of frankincense in the gifts of the Magi highlights its value and the recognition of Jesus' divine and priestly nature.
Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient times, frankincense was a highly prized commodity, often traded along the Incense Route that connected the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean world. Its value was comparable to that of gold, making it a gift fit for kings and deities. The harvesting of frankincense involved making incisions in the bark of theBoswellia trees and collecting the resin that oozed out, which was then allowed to harden before being used or traded.
Frankincense's enduring significance in religious and cultural practices is evident in its continued use in various liturgical traditions today. Its rich history and biblical associations make it a profound symbol of worship, prayer, and divine presence.Smith's Bible Dictionary
Frankincensea vegetable resin, brittle, glittering, and of a bitter taste, used for the purpose of sacrificial fumigation. (Exodus 30:34-36) It was calledfrank because of the freeness with which, when burned, it gives forth its odor. It burns for a long time, with a steady flame. It is obtained by successive incisions in the bark of a tree calledArbor thuris . The first incision yields the purest and whitest resin, while the product of the after incisions is spotted with yellow, and loses its whiteness altogether as it becomes old. The Hebrews imported their frankincense from Arabia, (Isaiah 60:6;Jeremiah 6:20) and more particularly from Saba; but it is remarkable that at present the Arabian libanum or olibanum is a very inferior kind, and that the finest frankincense imported into Turkey comes through Arabia from the islands of the Indian Archipelago. There can be little doubt that the tree which produces the Indian frankincense is theBoswellia serrata of Roxburgh, orBoswellia thurifera of Colebrooke, and bears some resemblance when young to the mountain ash. It grows to be forty feet high.
ATS Bible Dictionary
FrankincenseSeeINCENSE.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Hebrews lebonah; Gr. libanos, i.e., "white"), an odorous resin imported from Arabia (
Isaiah 60:6;
Jeremiah 6:20), yet also growing in Palestine (Cant. 4:14). It was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary (
Exodus 30:34), and was used as an accompaniment of the meat-offering (
Leviticus 2:1, 16;
6:15;
24:7). When burnt it emitted a fragrant odour, and hence the incense became a symbol of the Divine name (
Malachi 1:11; Cant. 1:3) and an emblem of prayer (
Psalm 141:2;
Luke 1:10;
Revelation 5:8;
8:3).
This frankincense, or olibanum, used by the Jews in the temple services is not to be confounded with the frankincense of modern commerce, which is an exudation of the Norway spruce fir, the Pinus abies. It was probably a resin from the Indian tree known to botanists by the name of Boswellia serrata or thurifera, which grows to the height of forty feet.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) A fragrant, aromatic resin, or gum resin, from trees the genus Boswellia, burned as an incense in religious rites or for medicinal fumigation. The best kinds now come from East Indian trees, of the genus Boswellia; a commoner sort, from the Norway spruce (Abies excelsa) and other coniferous trees. The frankincense of the ancient Jews is still unidentified.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FRANKINCENSEfrants'-in-sens (lebhonah, from root meaning "whiteness," referring to the milky color of the fresh juice:Exodus 30:34Leviticus 2:1, 15; 5:11; 6:15; 24:07:00;Numbers 5:151 Chronicles 9:29;Nehemiah 13:5, 9Songs 3:6;Songs 4:6, 14Isaiah 43:23;Isaiah 60:6;Isaiah 66:3Jeremiah 6:20;Jeremiah 17:26;Jeremiah 41:5; translated in the last six references "incense" in the King James Version, but correctly in the Revised Version (British and American); libanos:Matthew 2:11Revelation 18:13. The English word is derived from old French franc encens, i.e. "pure incense"): The common frankincense of the pharmacopeas is a gum derived from the common fir, but the frankincense of the Jews, as well as of the Greeks and Romans, is a substance now called Olibanum (from the Arabic el luban), a product of certain trees of the genus Boswellia (Natural Order, Amyridaceae), growing on the limestone rocks of south Arabia and Somali-land (Isaiah 60:6Jeremiah 6:20). The most important species are B. Carteri and B. Frereana. Some of the trees grow to a considerable height and send down their roots to extraordinary depths. The gum is obtained by incising the bark,
and is collected in yellowish, semitransparent tears, readily pulverized; it has a nauseous taste. It is used for making incense for burning in churches and in Indian temples, as it was among the Jews (Exodus 30:34). SeeINCENSE. 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). A specially "pure" kind, lebhonah zakkah, was presented with the shewbread (Leviticus 24:7).
E. W. G. Masterman
Greek
3030. libanos -- thefrankincense tree,frankincense... the
frankincense tree,
frankincense. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
libanos Phonetic Spelling: (lib'-an-os) Short Definition: incense
...3031. libanotos --frankincense, by ext. a censer
... 3030, 3031. libanotos. 3032 .frankincense, by ext.... Word Origin from libanos
Definitionfrankincense, by ext. a censer NASB Word Usage censer (2)....
5474. chalkolibanon -- chalcolibanus (fine copper, bronze or brass...
... brass). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: chalkolibanon Phonetic Spelling:
(khal-kol-ib'-an-on) Short Definition: orichalcum, orfrankincense of a...
Strong's Hebrew
3828. lebonah --frankincense... 3827, 3828. lebonah or lebonah. 3829 .
frankincense. Transliteration: lebonah
or lebonah Phonetic Spelling: (leb-o-naw') Short Definition:
frankincense.
...Library
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 offrankincense....
Who is She that Goeth up by the Wilderness, Like a Pillar of Smoke...
... CHAPTER III. 6. Who is she that goeth up by the wilderness, like a pillar of smoke,
from the incense of myrrh andfrankincense and all powders of the perfumer?...
Connection Between Covetousness and Idolatry. Certain Trades...
... If the selfsame merchandises"frankincense, I mean, and all other foreign
productions"used as sacrifice to idols, are of use likewise to men for medicinal...
The Royal Pair in their Glorious Chariot
... "Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed
with myrrh andfrankincense, with all powders of the merchant?...
Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to...
... of the sabbath, and set upon the holy table, six on a heap, one loaf still standing
over against another; where two golden cups full offrankincense were also...
Sermon for Epiphany
... or small. Matthew 2:11.""And they presented unto him gifts: gold, and
frankincense and myrrh.". NOW consider first the myrrh. It...
The Joy of Unbroken Communion
... Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke,. Perfumed
with myrrh andfrankincense,.... And to the hill offrankincense....
And when the Second Year was Past, Magi came from the East to...
... [1654] And likewise one gave gold, anotherfrankincense, and the third myrrh.... 6d.
[1655] One ms. has: Gaspar gave Myrrh, Melchiorfrankincense, Balthusar gold....
Hail, Jesus;
... and having found, most humbly adored,. 23. Offering unto Thee gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh; 24. Grant, O Lord, that with...
Chapter iii.
... 6. Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed
with myrrh andfrankincense, with all the powders of the merchant?...
Thesaurus
Frankincense (22 Occurrences)... This
frankincense, or olibanum, used by the Jews in the temple services is not to
be confounded with the
frankincense of modern commerce, which is an exudation
...Shewbread (16 Occurrences)
... thin cakes, which bore this name, together with many minute regulations as to the
placing of the loaves, the covering of them withfrankincense, and other...
Memorial-part (7 Occurrences)
... to Aaron's sons the priests; and he shall take thereout his handful of the fine
flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all thefrankincense thereof; and...
Memorial (54 Occurrences)
... 2:2 He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take his handful
of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all itsfrankincense; and the priest...
Meal-offerings (9 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 13:5 had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the
meal-offerings, thefrankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain...
Myrrh (22 Occurrences)
... him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold,frankincense,
and myrrh. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Meal-offering (120 Occurrences)
... offereth an oblation of a meal-offering unto Jehovah, his oblation shall be of fine
flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and putfrankincense thereon: (ASV JPS...
Cereal (124 Occurrences)
... 2:1 "'When anyone offers an offering of a meal offering to Yahweh, his offering
shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil on it, and putfrankincense on it...
Thereon (90 Occurrences)
... 1 And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of
fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and putfrankincense thereon: (KJV...
Fire-offering (45 Occurrences)
... unto the sons of Aaron, the priests, and he hath taken from thence the fulness of
his hand of its flour and of its oil, besides all itsfrankincense, and the...
Resources
Why did the Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about aromatherapy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30)? | GotQuestions.orgFrankincense: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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