When the wise men from the East came to worship the baby Jesus, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  What is the significance of these gifts?

Mat 2:11  And when they [the wise men] had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

All three gifts were expensive as highly valued at that time.  Let’s first take a closer look at what these gifts are and how they were used.

Gold

Gold is rare, corrosion-resistant, ductile metal.  This makes it ideal for currency.  Additionally it has a beautiful yellow lustre making it appealing to the eye. 

Gold was used as an overlay for the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat (which sat on top of the ark) and the two cherubim on the mercy seat.  Gold was also used extensively in the tabernacle, for example, the table, the lampstands, the clasps for the curtains, the boards around the tabernacle, Exodus 25.  Gold was also used extensively in the temple Solomon built, 1 Kings 6-7.

Gold was used for the priestly jewelry (gold chains and settings for precious stones in the breastplate) and was also woven into some of the priestly garments, Exodus 28.

Frankincense

Frankincense is an aromatic resin from Boswllia trees.  It is used in incense and perfumes.

Frankincense was used in offerings to God as sweet aroma to God.

Lev 2:2  He shall bring it to Aaron’s sons, the priests, one of whom shall take from it his handful of fine flour and oil with all the frankincense. And the priest shall burn it as a memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD.

Lev 6:15  He shall take from it his handful of the fine flour of the grain offering, with its oil, and all the frankincense which is on the grain offering, and shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma, as a memorial to the LORD.

Frankincense was also used as a perfume, as described in Song of Songs.

Son 3:6  Who is this coming out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with   and frankincense, With all the merchant’s fragrant powders?

Myrrh

Myrrh is a resin from Commiphora trees.  It is used in incense, perfumes, and medicine as an analgesic (pain killer) and an agent for embalming.

Myrrh was used as an anointing oil.  Myrrh was one of the ingredients of a holy anointing oil which was used to anoint the tabernacle and its instruments, Exodus 30.

Oil of myrrh was also used by the Persian King Ahasuerus to beautify his wives.

Est 2:12  Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.

Myrrh was also used as a perfume, as described in Song of Songs.

Son 3:6  Who is this coming out of the wilderness Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the merchant’s fragrant powders?

Jesus, when he was suffering crucifixion, was offered wine mingled with myrrh to drink.  He was offered a pain killer, which he declined.

Mar 15:23  Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.

Myrrh was used as part of the embalming process when Jesus was buried in the tomb.

Joh 19:39  And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.

Conclusion

With the above in mind we can consider the significance of the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Gold, as a metal that does not corrode, symbolises Christ’s perfect incorruptible character.  Gold, as a metal of great quality and value symbolises Christ’s kingly status.  Moreover, it was a very practical gift as it could be used as money to provide for future needs (such as escaping to Egypt).

Frankincense, as a sweet aroma in offerings, symbolises Christ’s life as a pleasing aroma to God.  Frankincense, as an incense used by the offerings made by priests, symbolises Christ’s priestly role.

Myrrh, as a beautifying agent and perfume, symbolises Christ’s life which was pleasing and beautiful God.  Myrrh, as an anointing oil for consecrating the tabernacle and temple instruments, symbolises Christ’s life of consecration and service to God.  Myrrh, as an embalming oil, symbolises Christ’s sacrificial death.