Myrrh is a bitter gum and costly perfume which exudes from a certain tree or shrub in Arabia and Ethiopia, or is obtained by incisions made in the bark: as an antiseptic it was used for embalming. It was also an ingredient in perfume (Ps 45:8), prominent in Song of Solomon, etc. It was also an ingredient in holy anointing oil for priests (Ex 30:23) and the purification of women (Esther 2:12). It was used in embalming (Jn 19:39) and was a gift of the Magi at Christ’s birth (Mt 2:11): Gold = royalty; Frankincense = deity, priesthood; Myrrh = suffering, death.

In Jesus’ Second Coming gold and frankincense are offered, but NO myrrh (Isa 60:6) since his death is now behind him—but it was offered to Christ at cross (Mk 15:23). The body of Jesus was embalmed by Joseph & Nicodemus (Jn 19:39-40). Myrrh yields fragrance by being crushed. Note the “death” theme throughout this letter.