4666. smurna

Lexicon

smurna: Myrrh

Original Word: σμύρνα
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: smurna
Pronunciation: SMOOR-nah
Phonetic Spelling: (smoor'-nah)
Definition: Myrrh
Meaning: myrrh.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

myrrh.

Apparently strengthened for muron; myrrh -- myrrh.

see GREEK muron

HELPS Word-studies

4666 smýrna – myrrh; a perfume used as incense and the symbol of romantic desire . . . because it becomes sweet when fired-up!

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
myrrh (used as an ointment and for embalming)
NASB Translation
myrrh (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4666: σμύρνα

σμύρνα, σμύρνης, ἡ, Hebrew מֹר, מור, myrrh, a bitter gum and costly perfume which exudes from a certain tree or shrub in Arabia and Ethiopia, or is obtained by incisions made in the bark: Matthew 2:11; as an antiseptic it was used in embalming, John 19:39. Cf. Herodotus 2, 40, 86; 3, 107; Theophrastus, hist. pl. 9, 3f; Diodorus 5, 41; Pliny, h. n. 12, 33f; (BB. DD.; Birdwood in the 'Bible Educator', vol. ii., p. 151; Löw, Aram. Pflanzennam. § 185).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Of Semitic origin, akin to the Hebrew מוֹר (mor).

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • 4753 מוֹר (mor): The Hebrew term for myrrh, used in the Old Testament to describe the aromatic resin used in anointing oils and perfumes. It appears in contexts such as the Song of Solomon and the preparation of the holy anointing oil.

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term σμύρνα, its historical and biblical significance, and its symbolic meanings within the scriptural context.

Usage: The term σμύρνα appears in the New Testament in contexts related to gifts, burial preparations, and anointing. It is notably mentioned in the account of the Magi's gifts to Jesus and in the preparation of His body for burial.

Context: • Historical Context: Myrrh is a resin obtained from the Commiphora species of trees, native to regions such as Arabia and parts of Africa. In antiquity, it was highly valued for its aromatic properties and was often used in religious and burial practices. Myrrh was a key component in the holy anointing oil described in the Old Testament (Exodus 30:23-25).

• Biblical References:
• Matthew 2:11 (BSB): "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." Here, myrrh is one of the gifts presented by the Magi to the infant Jesus, symbolizing His future suffering and death.
• Mark 15:23 (BSB): "And they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it." Myrrh was used as a pain-relieving agent, mixed with wine, offered to Jesus during His crucifixion.
• John 19:39 (BSB): "Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds." Myrrh was used in the burial preparations for Jesus, signifying its role in embalming practices.

• Symbolic Significance: In the biblical narrative, myrrh is often associated with suffering and death, reflecting the sacrificial aspects of Jesus' life and mission. Its inclusion in the gifts of the Magi is seen as a prophetic symbol of Jesus' future passion and burial.

Forms and Transliterations

σμύρνα σμυρναν σμύρναν σμυρνης σμύρνης smurnan smurnes smurnēs smyrnan smýrnan smyrnes smyrnēs smýrnes smýrnēs

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 2:11 N-AFS
GRK: λίβανον καὶ σμύρναν
NAS: of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
KJV: frankincense, and myrrh.
INT: frankincense and myrrh

John 19:39 N-GFS
GRK: φέρων μίγμα σμύρνης καὶ ἀλόης
NAS: a mixture of myrrh and aloes,
KJV: a mixture of myrrh and
INT: bearing a mixture of myrrh and aloes

Strong's Greek 4666
2 Occurrences

σμύρναν — 1 Occ.
σμύρνης — 1 Occ.