The three treasures of the Magi
Matthew 2:11
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Isaiah 60:6
“A multitude of camels will cover you, The young camels of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba will come; They will bring gold and frankincense, And will bear good news of the praises of the Lord.”
“A multitude of camels will cover you….” We do not know how many Magi there were, but what we do know, is that they were carrying a treasure of gold, frankincense, and myrrh across the desert. The term treasure is never used in the Old or New Testament to denote or describe a trinket or something of moderate value. Transporting this treasure across the desert would be an unsafe endeavor even with a number of people. So there probably were several of them. The amount of treasure, we do not know. What we do know is that, at that time, pound for pound frankincense and myrrh was nearly as valuable as gold. Imported items, frankincense, myrrh, and spices were expensive in the ancient world.
Wandering around the desert with a treasure would be a dangerous thing to do, not for those known for their wisdom. And the storyline does not suggest that the Magi were on a trading mission…i.e. they went back home after giving Christ His gifts. So odds are good that they gave that treasure to Christ. And…odds are good that the Magi ultimately escorted Christ’s family to Egypt, with the treasure. Still what they did with the treasure, is not known.
Gold
Gold is a precious metal and as such was a very valuable commodity. Its value could very well have supported Joseph and Mary and the baby Christ for years. The Bible does not tell us any significance to these three gifts; however, the bible and history suggest a symbolic meaning for the three gifts. Gold…has a connection to the divine, this meaning was universal, both Jews and Pagans used it in and on their temples and religious artifacts. But in this case, for a group to travel the distance, and worship the baby Christ, and present Him with these gifts, it is generally agreed that these are presents to a new King. The Magi-Sheba is known biblically and historically to have vast amounts of gold.
King David writes Psalm 72:10-15
Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. And let all kings bow down before him, All nations serve him. For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help, The afflicted also, and him who has no helper. He will have compassion on the poor and needy, And the lives of the needy he will save. He will rescue their life from oppression and violence, And their blood will be precious in his sight; So may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him; And let them pray for him continually; Let them bless him all day long.
Frankincense
Frankincense…incense… David prayed: "Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense" (Psalm 141:2). “As the smoke of the burning offering ascended up from the altar, so the people believed their prayers would go up to God with it, and it would be a sweet savor to Him.” The typological meaning of burning incense; visualized as prayers and offerings rising up to God is seen even in the prophecies of Revelation. John saw "golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints" (Revelation 5:8). This surely gives us a clue as to the real significance of burning incense (especially its chief ingredient, frankincense) rising up to God's throne. We pray, on the basis of the sin-cleansing sacrifice of the Lamb of God, and they rise up to the throne of God via the indwelling Spirit of God. Its religious connection is obvious….an offering….a sacrifice….an atonement. Still some consider a connection to His priesthood.
Details;
Originating in Arabia and northern Africa, frankincense is a dried white resin from Boswellia trees used in perfumes and incense for thousands of years. Historically, frankincense was a highly valued commodity. When burned as incense, it was often valued for aroma of its bluish-grey smoke that rose so distinctively. It was also said to be a disinfect and repelled insects and other pests. Both Frankincense and Myrrh had medicable uses.
Boswellia sacra tree; frankincense is tapped from this scraggly but hardy trees by striping (slashing the bark) and letting the exuded resin bleed out and harden. The hardened streaks of resin are called tears. Several species and varieties of frankincense trees each produce a slightly different type of resin. Differences in soil and climate create even more diversity of the resin, even within the same species. The Boswellia sacra trees have the ability to grow in the most harsh environment. Even growing out of solid rock. The initial means of attachment to the rock is unknown, but is accomplished by a bulbous disk-like swelling of the trunk. This growth prevents violent storms from detaching the tree. This feature is slight or absent in trees that grow in rocky soil or gravel. The trees start producing resin at about eight to 10 years old. Tapping is done two to three times a year with the final taps producing the best tears due to their higher aromatic value.
Myrrh
The word myrrh comes from an Arabic word meaning “bitter.” Like frankincense. Myrrh is a resin and among other things was used to scent the burial wraps to cover up the smell. Because of this myrrh, symbolized death, bitterness, suffering, and affliction. So some see a symbology to Christ’s sacrificial death and burial. But Myrrh was also used in perfumes because of its strong aroma….Mixed with other ingredients myrrh was commonly used to anoint priests and kings. Several verses in the OT speak of anointing kings, which of course includes King David and King Solomon.
Exodus 30:22-32
“Moreover, the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take also for yourself the finest of spices: of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, two hundred and fifty, and of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty, and of cassia five hundred, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil a hin. You shall make of these a holy anointing oil, a perfume mixture, the work of a perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, and the table and all its utensils, and the lamp stand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the laver and its stand. You shall also consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them shall be holy. You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister as priests to Me. You shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘This shall be a holy anointing oil to Me throughout your generations. It shall not be poured on anyone’s body, nor shall you make any like it in the same proportions; it is holy, and it shall be holy to you.”
Details;
Myrrh is a dried resin from Arabia and northern Africa. Obtained from the Commiphora, a thorny shrub or tree, which is harvested much in the same manner as frankincense. Whether burned as incense, worn as perfume, or applied as anointing oil or ointment it had a strong aroma. So it always had a religious connection.
So all these gifts had a divine connection and symbolized different things as well as had practical uses. Trading took on a different context in the ancient world because not everything was bought with coins. And the value of what you had was many times determined by how bad the other person wanted it.