Why Did the Magi Bring Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh?
Medicinal uses of frankincense may help explain the gifts of the magi
Were the gifts of the magi meant to save Jesus from the pain of arthritis? It’s possible, according to researchers at Cardiff University in Wales who have been studying the medical uses of frankincense.
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). 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. In fact, these same three items were apparently among the gifts, recorded in ancient inscriptions, that King Seleucus II Callinicus offered to the god Apollo at the temple in Miletus in 243 B.C.E. The Book of Isaiah, when describing Jerusalem’s glorious restoration, tells of nations and kings who will come and “bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6). Although Matthew’s gospel does not include the names or number of the magi, many believe that the number of the gifts is what led to the tradition of the Three Wise Men.
The traditional gifts of the magi—gold, frankincense and myrrh—may have had symbolic as well as practical value. Researchers believe the medicinal uses of frankincense were known to the author of Matthew’s gospel.
In addition to the honor and status implied by the value of the gifts of the magi, scholars think that these three were chosen for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his kingship, frankincense a symbol of his priestly role, and myrrh a prefiguring of his death and embalming—an interpretation made popular in the well-known Christmas carol “We Three Kings.”
Still others have suggested that the gifts of the magi were a bit more practical—even medicinal in nature. Researchers at Cardiff University have demonstrated that frankincense has an active ingredient that can help relieve arthritis by inhibiting the inflammation that breaks down cartilage tissue and causes arthritis pain. The new study validates traditional uses of frankincense as an herbal remedy to treat arthritis in communities of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where the trees that produce this aromatic resin grow. Did the magi “from the East” know of frankincense’s healing properties when they presented it to young Jesus?
Based on Strata, “The Magi’s Gifts—Tribute or Treatment?” Biblical Archaeology Review, January/February 2012.
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This Bible History Daily feature was originally published in December 2011.
Related reading in Bible History Daily
Frankincense and Other Resins Were Used in Roman Burials Across Britain
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Somehow it seems unlikely the Magi would have brought an arthritis remedy to an infant or toddler. While that may have been one of its uses, I doubt it was the primary reason.
Thank you for speaking the truth about who the so called wise men really we’re!
After learning who the child was the astrolergers did not return to tell the bad king.
The child being the long awaited Messiah.
In the extrabiblical text of Adam and Eve, when they were expelled from the Garden and were wrought with grief, says God allowed them to take three things from the garden, gold, frankincense and myrrh. These three gifts were passed down to David who then instructed his children on the stars and what to look for when the Messiah was to come and bring the gifts to him as a sign of God’s promise. The gold, frankincense and myrrh were from the garden.
Wow…if I wanted to do more research on this subject where would I start? Thanks.
The gold to provide for Jesus and his parents while in Egypt and the frankincense and myrrh for his burial.
Gold to provide for his family while in Egypt and the other two were for his burial.
God’s Promises ????
I am not satisfied with this possible fact that the Magi brought frankincense to the Lord for arthritis. It doesn’t sound right. Was the likelihood of suffering from this problem so high the Magi thought of bringing this gift? This finding is not concrete to make such conclusions. The circumstances surrounding the birth or some factor should be researched into to make it clearer for us please.
For trading on the flight into Egypt? Three wise men must have had some kind of clue that the escape would be a near-run thing.
Frankincense and myrrh are well known post partum herbs to prevent haemorrhage and promote recovery from childbirth. Research it. Still used today for the same.
When the magi arrived, Jesus was living in a house. He wasn’t in a manger any more. “they entered the house and saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him,” followed by presenting gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as detailed throughout Matthew 2:1-12. That’s why Herod had boys 2 years and younger put to death.
The Magi likely found Jesus weeks, months, or even up to two years after his birth, not on the night he was born, as they found him in a house, not a stable, and Herod’s decree to kill young boys included those up to age two, suggesting a significant time gap. Their journey from the East (possibly Persia) to Jerusalem could have taken months, with travel to Bethlehem being a shorter trip from there, guided by the Star of Bethlehem.
I was told by a old man with a white beard which I never seen again that the gift were frankincense and myrrh…. But….Turmeric was the other gift. a spice…….. Please think for a second what color is turmeric which is still today used as medecine (mystereous powder) is–GOLD–, would be more beleivable than real gold
Let me know if this old man made sense, I beleived him, Think !!!
Since I am an old man with a white beard, maybe you will listen to my advice… don’t believe everything you hear without some proof. The gold in Matthew 2:11 is gold, the metal. The Greek word χρυσός chrysos means gold, the precious metal and not turmeric. Gold is symbolic of God (Jesus’s deity), frankincense was included with grain offerings and was used as incense in the tabernacle/temple (prayer and intercession), and myrrh was used in anointing oil (Holy Spirit).
Another thing to think about is the gifts were worth a lot, which is symbolic but although not my point. What happened after the Magi left? Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt. They were poor people (note the offering of two doves for Jesus when he was presented in the temple as a first born), so how did they survive? The gold and valuable spices paid for their escape from Herod. Only my thoughts but it sure seems like God prepared the way of the Lord and made his path straight through the wilderness… to safety in Egypt.
I love this
I never accept as “evidence” anything which a preacher opines, especially “symbols” and their imagined meanings. Turmeric remains one of the most ancient anti-inflammatory spices.
Learn to query A.I. It took MS Chat two seconds to generate this:
Greek, being an Indo-European tongue, in the context of the Middle-East, may have retained the term “gold” in a list of spices.
Ayurvedic Texts: Turmeric (haridra) is described as “pīta” (golden/yellow) in Sanskrit medical literature, linking its color to gold.
Cultural Usage: In Indian tradition, turmeric was sometimes called “Indian saffron” and valued like gold for its medicinal and dyeing properties.
Greek, being an Indo-European tongue, in the context of the Middle-East, may have retained the term “gold” in a list of spices.
[NOTE: The BAR comment service rips out text found between european speech marks, hence the mutilated version of the reply found below.]