Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4400 Vegetation and food  »  4486 myrrh

A resinous substance derived from certain trees and bushes native to the Near East. It was a valuable commodity and had a variety of uses.

Myrrh was traded by merchants

Genesis 37:25 See also Revelation 18:11-13

Myrrh was presented as a gift

Matthew 2:11 See also Genesis 43:11

Uses of myrrh

In the sacred anointing oil

Exodus 30:22-28

As a perfume

Songs 1:13 See also Psalm 45:8; Proverbs 7:10-18; Songs 3:6

In beauty treatments

Esther 2:12 See also Songs 5:5

As a painkiller

Mark 15:22-23

In embalming

John 19:38-40

The metaphorical use of myrrh

Songs 5:13 See also Songs 4:1-7,12-14; Songs 5:1

See also

4466  herbs and spices
4496  perfume
4528  trees
5241  burial
5325  gifts
5407  merchants
5587  trade
7386  incense