Myrrh

Myrrh is a fragrant resinous gum obtained by making incisions in the bark of trees of the genus Commiphora (principally C. myrrha), native to Arabia and East Africa. It was among the most prized aromatic substances of the ancient world, used in perfumery, medicine, embalming, and religious ritual. In the Old Testament, myrrh was a principal ingredient in the holy anointing oil prepared for the tabernacle and its vessels (Ex. 30:23), and it appears frequently in the erotic poetry of the Song of Solomon as a symbol of love and intimacy (Song 1:13; 5:1). The wise men brought myrrh as one of their three gifts to the infant Jesus (Matt. 2:11), and its symbolism has been widely interpreted as pointing to his coming death and burial. At the crucifixion Jesus was offered wine mingled with myrrh as a mild analgesic, which he refused (Mark 15:23). After his death, Nicodemus brought a large quantity of myrrh and aloes to prepare his body for burial in the Jewish manner (John 19:39).