Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh? What Kind of Gifts are These for a Baby?

 By Naomi Craig

Reliquary Three Wise Men MNMA Cl23822wikimedia

Was this the traditional gifts to give a baby back in those days?

If you've watched the animated children's movie The Star (2017) or the musical Journey to Bethlehem (2023) the wise guys (er I mean wise men😜) make jokes about not knowing what to bring to a baby shower and being able to cure insomnia with essential oils.

Agate phial cropped, wikimedia

The wise men were likely from the order of the magi--scholars, physicians, astronomers--dating back to the time of Daniel in Babylonian exile.

These men would have been well-versed in the scrolls including Daniel's prophecies about the timeline of the Messiah's birth and possibly the pagan seer Balaam's prophecy about the Star coming out of Jacob. (Numbers 24:17). 

Sripada night sky, wikimedia

It is suffice to say, the magi were expecting Jesus' arrival. They were actively waiting for the promised Messiah. 

So if they knew all these prophecies, why did the wise men have to make that stop in Jerusalem to chat with King Herod?

We know from our Bible that the location of Christ's birth is Bethlehem (Micah) But the book of Micah was written in post-exilic Judah. Meaning the scrolls and prophesies would not have made it back out to the Persian empire and the mages.

Herod also doesn't know where the new king is to be born and consults the scribes and the chief priests to come up with the location of Bethlehem. Armed with this knowledge, and the star's guiding light, the wise men head off to see the child, Jesus in his house. 

Ancient pathway to Bethlehem along Roman aqueduct LOC matpc.16578, Wikimedia

They present to Him gifts that live in memory to this day, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.--Yeah, Mary and Joseph would have thought these were odd gifts for their young son, too.

So what do they represent? 

The wise men in The Nativity Story (2005) show the beauty and prophetic fulfillment of the carefully selected gifts

Gold for the King of Kings

Frankincense for the Priest of Priests

The gift of myrrh to honor the sacrifice

Gold--that one is self explanatory. You would give gold to a king, it was a symbol of royalty.

Frankincense was a priestly implement used in worshipping God. Jesus was the One to talk to God most High and intervene on our behalf.

Myrrh...this one might have pierced Mary's heart with the implications. Myrrh was used to embalm the dead indicating the sacrifice Jesus would face as an adult.

Isn't that amazing? 

In Journey to Bethlehem, the wise men show up at the manger scene (not accurate time frame but what is expected in each Nativity) and I LOVE how they enter singing "Thine is the kingdom and the power and glory..." and the Tall King has a tear rolling down his cheek.

Can you imagine the dedication and faith to know about the coming Messiah and seek after Him in such a fashion to give up all that was important to their way of life?

What's your favorite Nativity movie?

Behind the elaborate furnishings of Herod the Great’s palace, conspiracy and distrust run rampant. Mysterious visitors from the east challenge everything Amal thinks he knows as palace scribe.

Will his quest to uncover the Truth free him from the ornate shackles of palace life, or will he be the next victim of King Herod’s maniacal jealousy?

The Weary World Rejoices (Keeping Christmas vol 1) is available on amazon and Kindle Unlimited

Want to see my take on Balaam's Star out of Jacob? Download my novella On Desolate Heights, Balaam's Story free. You can unsubscribe from my newsletter at any time.

The Magi and the Star of Bethlehem

 

In the Bible, only the apostle Matthew describes the wise men's visit. The former tax collector carefully recorded the facts, underlying tension, and ancient prophecy.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 

     Matthew 2:1-12 New International Version

 Matthew relates a story of glorious promise shadowed by menace. Readers are intrigued, but left wanting to know more. Who were the magi? Why did they think the star heralded the birth of a king? What was the star?

Who were the magi?

Magi is a Greek term which might be rendered as sages, astrologers, or priests. The wise men have been described as all three. Although the Bible does not state how many visitors came to the manger, Robin M. Jensen writes in "Witnessing the Divine" that the earliest images, from mid-third century frescoes in the Catacomb of Priscilla, show three. 

From the Catacomb of Priscilla

Photo Courtesy Scala/Art Resource

In many early images, the magi appear to point or gaze at a star overhead. Camels sometimes walk behind them, as in a fourth-century sarcophagus in the Vatican museum. 

In the following sixth-century mosaic from Ravenna, Italy, the sages carry gifts in fluted vessels. Followed by martyred saints, the wise men approach Mary and Jesus. The names Balthassar, Melchior, and Gaspar are inscribed above their heads.

The Ravenna Mosaic, courtesy Scala/Art Resource

In the mosaic above, Balthassar wears a long brown beard. Eventually, he would be described as an African or Moor. Melchior is a clean-shaven youth. Gaspar has long gray hair; over time, he would become the balding man who kneels before the babe in countless Renaissance images, including the following Italian painting.

Adoration of the Magi - Andrea Mantegna - Courtesy J. Paul Getty Museum

Why did the wise men think the star heralded the birth of a king?

As astrologers, the wise men may have interpreted the unusual star rising as an omen. As highly-educated sages and priests, they may have been familiar with Hebrew messianic prophecies.

I see him, but not now, 

     I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob; 

     a scepter will rise out of Israel."

          Numbers 24:17a NIV

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, 
     “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, 
a King who will reign wisely 
     and do what is just and right in the land."
          Jeremiah 23:5 NIV

The magi decided to investigate and followed the star's path first to King Herod and then to Bethlehem, where it appeared to stop over a house where the child had recently been born. The wise men paid the baby homage due a king and presented their gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

What was the star?

In his commentary, John MacArthur states,

"This could not have been a supernova or a conjunction of planets, as some modern theories suggest, because of the way the star moved and settled over one place (Matt. 2:9). It is more likely a supernatural reality similar to the Shekinah that guided the Israelites in the days of Moses."

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Exodus 13:21

I believe MacArthur's opinion, that the star led the wise men in a way similar to the pillar of fire guiding the Israelites, perfectly fits the miraculous story.

However, another opinion, also fitting the biblical record, is offered by Simo Parpola in "The Magi and the Star," BAS Bible Review December 2001.

Parpola writes that Babylonian astronomy holds the key to identifying the star and dating Jesus' birth. He theorizes that the magi believed the star would lead them to a new king. Why?

What did the magi know?

Although it is often translated "wise men," magoi, the term Matthew uses for magi, refers to Persian astronomers or scholars. Babylonian astronomy, tied to astrology and divination, interpreted signs in the heavens as messages from gods to the king.

With no telescopes in existance, the magi could view only five planets, but surviving almanacs reveal they could accurately compute significant movements of these planets and the moon in advance.

Parpola writes that modern science identifies several major astronomical events around the time Jesus was born. He dismissed all but one as being too early or late to be considered. However, ancient computations on four excavated clay tablets reveal how the magi understood a major conjunction in 7 B.C.E.

That there are four copies is remarkable, underscoring that this 11-month conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Pisces was extremely rare. During this time, the planets met three times, appearing as a brilliant star.

How did this lead the wise men to search for a king?

Wise men follow the star - courtesy Deposit Photos

In Babylon, Jupiter was known as the star of Marduk, the supreme god. Saturn was the star of the king, the earthly representative of the god. Mars was the star of Amurru or the West (Syria-Palestine). This conjunction spoke a significant astrological message, and the magi would begin to analyze its meaning.

Why did they head west? And why visit Herod?

The second meeting of the planets occurred in the month of Tishri (October). Tishri being known as the month of Amurru would further inspire the magi to travel West. 

Jupiter and Saturn were in opposition to the sun and shining at their brightest. Jupiter (star of the supreme god) appeared directly above Saturn (star of the king). The constellation Pisces provided a stationary backdrop for the planets as they moved together through the night sky.

 

The magi's journey of about 750 miles from Babylon to Jerusalem would have taken about three weeks by donkey or camel. If they left in early October, they would have arrived before November 7, when Jupiter reached a second stationary point and the "traveling" star seemed to stop.

Parpola describes in interesting detail (The Magi and the Star) how the Earth and other planets overtake one another during their orbits. As the Earth caught the planet Jupiter in the sky, it would appear to pause, then travel backward until Earth passed. 

On November 20, Saturn reached another such overtaking. Both dates—the 7th for Jupiter and 20th for Saturn—would fit Matthew’s description of a star stopping above Bethlehem.

The third conjunction occurred on the 14th of Kislev, December 1. 

Parpola concludes, "How could a star lead the magi to Jerusalem and Bethlehem? These Babylonian astronomers would have 'followed' a star only based on its astrological significance. In 7 B.C.E., they read the message of the 'star'—that a messiah-king would be born in Syria-Palestine—and they headed to a leading political center in the region, King Herod’s court." 

Thank you for reading! May you have a blessed and merry Christmas.

WHIRLWIND ~ Whispers on the Wind, Book 2 

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A king's downfall and a love that transcends war

SPURNED BY POTENTIAL SUITORS, Miriam travels to Jezreel to care for her cousin’s son. There, the precocious seven-year-old works his way into her heart. When Arameans swarm the land like locusts, Miriam focuses on the safety of her young ward but promises adventures beyond the city walls when the war ends.

Gershon, a quiet and kind vintner, is happily building a life for his wife, son, and aging parents. But when his wife dies during childbirth and war looms on the horizon, he must make a decision—will he take a new wife before his heart can mend?

Meanwhile, Dov, a young officer crosses paths with the “bird girl” he remembers from the past, now grown to womanhood. That she is a beautiful woman matters not, as he is a career soldier. Unexpectedly charged with leading Ahab’s army against the Arameans, Dov anticipates death and defeat in Samaria, but when a prophet pledges victory, Dov vows to fight to the end.

When an unlikely victory brings freedom, a bright future seems imminent. Then one afternoon Miriam witnesses a tragedy and must flee with the boy to keep them both safe. With henchmen on their trail, will they find refuge—and her heart the home she’s longed for?

 

~

DANA MCNEELY writes biblical novels from an Arizona oasis, where she lives with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and myriad migrating butterflies. When not researching, writing, or struggling with the mysteries of social media, Dana can be found wandering in her personal Eden dreaming up new stories.

You may follow Dana at https://DanaMcNeely.com and receive a free eBook. The Eyes of the Lord is a prequel to Rain. 

For further reading ~

The MacArthur Bible Commentary Scholarly commentary on scripture and prophecy mentioned in this post.

 

Biblical Archeology Society Collection: The Three Magi  In this collection, various scholars, scientists, and historians have written about the Magi and the star in interesting detail.

Witnessing the Divine: The Magi in Art and Literature Also from Biblical Archeology, this article is the source of several images in this post. 

BAS Library - The Magi and the Star Source of the latter part of this post. Deep analysis of stars and planetary conjunctions leading to a plausible dating of Jesus' birth.

Kings or Wise Men? Who Really Visited Jesus from the East?

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo - Adoration of the Magi ,

                         1655-1660 {PD}

by Kathleen Rouser 

Who were the mysterious magi and where did they come from?

They were possibly Zoroastrian priests from Persia which is modern-day Iran. Zoroastrianism purports belief in a single deity, Ahura Mazda, and that there is a conflict between good and evil. It dates back to the 6th century B.C.

Magi was a term created by those who were skeptical of their religion and is the root word for magician. In a negative terms in means “sorcerer.”

Those referred to as wise men in different biblical accounts were advisors to ancient kings. They would have been astrologers and interpreters of signs. Astrology at that time had closer ties to astronomy. They would have also been educated scholars.

Around 530 B.C. Daniel served in the Persian court of Cyrus. Were advisors to Darius, priests of a monotheistic religion, intrigued by the prophet who worshipped the one true God? Perhaps they had many conversations about scripture and prophecy of the Messiah, who would be the Savior of the world. Balaam’s prophecy in Numbers 24:17 states: "A star will rise from Jacob a scepter will emerge from Israel."(NLT)

One theory some theologians have proposed is that there was evidence that the message of the Gospel was in the stars until it was corrupted by astrology after the Tower of Babel had been built. Is it possible these wise men had searched for such a message in the stars and found the one star that they followed to the Messiah? The wise men came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:2, KJV)

The three Magi (Balthasar, Caspar, 
Melchior) !2th Century {PD}

When did they visit the baby Jesus?

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11, NLT)

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. (Matthew 2:16, NLT)

When wise men are included in the Christmas narrative, they are often depicted visiting the baby Jesus at the site of the of manger where he was born, along with the shepherds who visited on the night of Jesus’ birth. However, two things would indicate that it could have been even a year or more later. Some translations say they entered the house to visit the child, not a place where a manger was kept. Also, Herod, to make sure he had no competition from this prophesied King of the Jews, decided to execute not only newborn infants, but every male child two years and younger. It’s likely that a year or two had passed and by then they were living in a house with a toddler-aged Jesus.

What was the significance of their gifts?

As quoted above, the wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to give the child in an act of worship. One interpretation, that originated with Origen, in the time of the early church is that gold was a gift fit for a king, frankincense was a perfume to be offered to a God, and myrrh was an ointment for anointing a dead body, so it was associated with death. The symbolism of virtue is attributed to gold, prayer is attributed to frankincense, and sacrifice is attributed to myrrh. Gold and frankincense reflected the life the child would grow up to live and myrrh reflected the sacrifice He would make for us.

Caspar by Jan van Biljert,Oil on panel. 
Circa 1640–1650, Rau Antiques2018, [cc]

What traditional beliefs have come from the visit of the Wise Men?

Since the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were presented to the Christ child, tradition has it that there were three wise men. However, in the eastern Syriac churches, the traditional number is twelve. The actual number is not mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew.

In western Christian tradition the names attributed to the supposed three wise men are Balthasar, from Arabia, Melchior from Persia, and Gaspar, from India. Eastern Christian traditions ascribe different names and sometimes different countries of origin than in the western church. However, in Matthew 2:12 it says they “returned to their own country.” In the original language this means a single place of origin.

They have also been referred to as kings. This tradition comes from viewing Psalm 72:10b, The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him gifts, as a prophecy of this event. Yet, there is no evidence in the Matthew 2 passage that they were kings.

While the wise men are often pictured as arriving by camel, these wealthy individuals likely covered the eight or nine hundred miles of their journey by riding swift Arabian horses, the preferred method of travel of the day. Camels were used mainly as pack animals.

James Tissot, "The Magi Journeying," c. 1890
Brooklyn Museum [cc]

So as you can see, traditions concerning the wise men from the east have risen and changed over the many centuries since the birth of Jesus. However, we can conclude that these men who gave of their riches and time to travel and seek out the King of Jews, believed He was deity. They truly were very wise men to worship the Messiah of the Jewish people, King of kings and Lord of lords, the Savior of the world. 

Please let me know in the comments if you've learned something new from this article. Or share something I didn't cover here. I would love to find out what others know/think about the wise men who visited Jesus. 

Kathleen Rouser is the multi-published author of the 2017 Bookvana Award winner, Rumors and Promises, her first novel about the people of fictional Stone Creek, Michigan, and its sequel, Secrets and Wishes. She is a longtime member in good standing of American Christian Fiction Writers. Kathleen wanted to be a writer before she could even read. She longs to create characters who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. She lives in Michigan with her hero and husband of thirty-some years, and continues on the elusive quest to brew the perfect cup of coffee to enjoy while she is writing. Connect with Kathleen on her website at kathleenrouser.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kathleenerouser/, and on Twitter @KathleenRouser.

Bookvana Awards Winner

Sophie Biddle is an heiress on the run with a child in tow. Wary and self-reliant, Sophie is caught off guard when meeting a kind, but meddling and handsome minister at the local mercantile. Believing he has failed God and his former flock, the Reverend Ian McCormick is determined to start anew in Stone Creek, Michigan. While Sophie seeks acceptance for her child and a measure of respect for herself, the rumors swirl about her sordid past. Should Ian show concern for Sophie's plight? If he does, he'll risk losing everything — including his new position as pastor of Stone Creek. Will the scandals of their pasts bind them together, or drive both deeper into a spiral of shame?