SPECIAL TOPIC: FRANKINCENSE

SPECIAL TOPIC: FRANKINCENSE

Like myrrh, frankincense (BDB 526, NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 750-757) was made from sweet-smelling tree sap from Arabia (cf. Jer. 6:20). It was used for several purposes.

cereal sacrifice, Lev. 2:1; 6:14-18
sin sacrifice, Lev. 5:11 (but not allowed if pigeon sacrifice)
holy incense, Exod. 30:34-38; 1 Chr. 9:29 (this incense was put on several types of offerings)
put on the table of showbread along with the twelve loaves, Lev. 24:7
personal perfume, Song of Songs 3:6; 4:6,14
memorial offering (i.e., jealous issue of husband), Num. 5:15 (not allowed)
listed as part of ANE commercial trade, Isa. 60:6; Jer. 6:20; Rev. 18:11-13
part of the offering given to baby Jesus by the Magi in Matt. 2:11

See UBS, Fauna and Flora of the Bible, pp. 121-122.

SPECIAL TOPIC: BURIAL SPICES

SPECIAL TOPIC: BURIAL PRACTICES, III. B.