Frankincense
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Smith's Bible Dictionary
Frankincense

a vegetable resin, brittle, glittering, and of a bitter taste, used for the purpose of sacrificial fumigation. (Exodus 30:34-36) It was called frank because of the freeness with which, when burned, it gives forth its odor. It burns for a long time, with a steady flame. It is obtained by successive incisions in the bark of a tree called Arbor thuris . The first incision yields the purest and whitest resin, while the product of the after incisions is spotted with yellow, and loses its whiteness altogether as it becomes old. The Hebrews imported their frankincense from Arabia, (Isaiah 60:6; Jeremiah 6:20) and more particularly from Saba; but it is remarkable that at present the Arabian libanum or olibanum is a very inferior kind, and that the finest frankincense imported into Turkey comes through Arabia from the islands of the Indian Archipelago. There can be little doubt that the tree which produces the Indian frankincense is the Boswellia serrata of Roxburgh, or Boswellia thurifera of Colebrooke, and bears some resemblance when young to the mountain ash. It grows to be forty feet high.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Frankincense

See INCENSE.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Hebrews lebonah; Gr. libanos, i.e., "white"), an odorous resin imported from Arabia (Isaiah 60:6; Jeremiah 6:20), yet also growing in Palestine (Cant. 4:14). It was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary (Exodus 30:34), and was used as an accompaniment of the meat-offering (Leviticus 2:1, 16; 6:15; 24:7). When burnt it emitted a fragrant odour, and hence the incense became a symbol of the Divine name (Malachi 1:11; Cant. 1:3) and an emblem of prayer (Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10; Revelation 5:8; 8:3).

This frankincense, or olibanum, used by the Jews in the temple services is not to be confounded with the frankincense of modern commerce, which is an exudation of the Norway spruce fir, the Pinus abies. It was probably a resin from the Indian tree known to botanists by the name of Boswellia serrata or thurifera, which grows to the height of forty feet.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) A fragrant, aromatic resin, or gum resin, from trees the genus Boswellia, burned as an incense in religious rites or for medicinal fumigation. The best kinds now come from East Indian trees, of the genus Boswellia; a commoner sort, from the Norway spruce (Abies excelsa) and other coniferous trees. The frankincense of the ancient Jews is still unidentified.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FRANKINCENSE

frants'-in-sens (lebhonah, from root meaning "whiteness," referring to the milky color of the fresh juice: Exodus 30:34 Leviticus 2:1, 15; 5:11; 6:15; 24:07:00; Numbers 5:15 1 Chronicles 9:29; Nehemiah 13:5, 9 Songs 3:6; Songs 4:6, 14 Isaiah 43:23; Isaiah 60:6; Isaiah 66:3 Jeremiah 6:20; Jeremiah 17:26; Jeremiah 41:5; translated in the last six references "incense" in the King James Version, but correctly in the Revised Version (British and American); libanos: Matthew 2:11 Revelation 18:13. The English word is derived from old French franc encens, i.e. "pure incense"): The common frankincense of the pharmacopeas is a gum derived from the common fir, but the frankincense of the Jews, as well as of the Greeks and Romans, is a substance now called Olibanum (from the Arabic el luban), a product of certain trees of the genus Boswellia (Natural Order, Amyridaceae), growing on the limestone rocks of south Arabia and Somali-land (Isaiah 60:6 Jeremiah 6:20). The most important species are B. Carteri and B. Frereana. Some of the trees grow to a considerable height and send down their roots to extraordinary depths. The gum is obtained by incising the bark,

and is collected in yellowish, semitransparent tears, readily pulverized; it has a nauseous taste. It is used for making incense for burning in churches and in Indian temples, as it was among the Jews (Exodus 30:34). See INCENSE. It is often associated with myrrh (Songs 3:6; Songs 4:6) and with it was made an offering to the infant Saviour (Matthew 2:11). A specially "pure" kind, lebhonah zakkah, was presented with the shewbread (Leviticus 24:7).

E. W. G. Masterman

Greek
3030. libanos -- the frankincense tree, frankincense
... the frankincense tree, frankincense. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
libanos Phonetic Spelling: (lib'-an-os) Short Definition: incense ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3030.htm - 6k

3031. libanotos -- frankincense, by ext. a censer
... 3030, 3031. libanotos. 3032 . frankincense, by ext. ... Word Origin from libanos
Definition frankincense, by ext. a censer NASB Word Usage censer (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3031.htm - 6k

5474. chalkolibanon -- chalcolibanus (fine copper, bronze or brass ...
... brass). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: chalkolibanon Phonetic Spelling:
(khal-kol-ib'-an-on) Short Definition: orichalcum, or frankincense of a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5474.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
3828. lebonah -- frankincense
... 3827, 3828. lebonah or lebonah. 3829 . frankincense. Transliteration: lebonah
or lebonah Phonetic Spelling: (leb-o-naw') Short Definition: frankincense. ...
/hebrew/3828.htm - 6k
Library

Until the Day Break and the Shadows Flee Away, I Will Get Me to ...
... CHAPTER IV. 6. Until the day break and the shadows flee away, I will get me
to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/6 until the day break.htm

Who is She that Goeth up by the Wilderness, Like a Pillar of Smoke ...
... CHAPTER III. 6. Who is she that goeth up by the wilderness, like a pillar of smoke,
from the incense of myrrh and frankincense and all powders of the perfumer? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/6 who is she that.htm

Connection Between Covetousness and Idolatry. Certain Trades ...
... If the selfsame merchandises"frankincense, I mean, and all other foreign
productions"used as sacrifice to idols, are of use likewise to men for medicinal ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xi connection between covetousness and.htm

The Royal Pair in their Glorious Chariot
... "Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed
with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the royal pair in their.htm

Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ...
... of the sabbath, and set upon the holy table, six on a heap, one loaf still standing
over against another; where two golden cups full of frankincense were also ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the festivals.htm

Sermon for Epiphany
... or small. Matthew 2:11.""And they presented unto him gifts: gold, and
frankincense and myrrh.". NOW consider first the myrrh. It ...
/.../v sermon for epiphany.htm

The Joy of Unbroken Communion
... Who is this that cometh up out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke,. Perfumed
with myrrh and frankincense,. ... And to the hill of frankincense. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/union and communion/section iii the joy of.htm

And when the Second Year was Past, Magi came from the East to ...
... [1654] And likewise one gave gold, another frankincense, and the third myrrh. ... 6d.
[1655] One ms. has: Gaspar gave Myrrh, Melchior frankincense, Balthusar gold. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 16 and when the.htm

Hail, Jesus;
... and having found, most humbly adored,. 23. Offering unto Thee gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh; 24. Grant, O Lord, that with ...
/.../baker/holy wisdom or directions for the prayer of contemplation/hail jesus.htm

Chapter iii.
... 6. Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed
with myrrh and frankincense, with all the powders of the merchant? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter iii.htm

Thesaurus
Frankincense (22 Occurrences)
... This frankincense, or olibanum, used by the Jews in the temple services is not to
be confounded with the frankincense of modern commerce, which is an exudation ...
/f/frankincense.htm - 19k

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)
... thin cakes, which bore this name, together with many minute regulations as to the
placing of the loaves, the covering of them with frankincense, and other ...
/s/shewbread.htm - 20k

Memorial-part (7 Occurrences)
... to Aaron's sons the priests; and he shall take thereout his handful of the fine
flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and ...
/m/memorial-part.htm - 8k

Memorial (54 Occurrences)
... 2:2 He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take his handful
of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and the priest ...
/m/memorial.htm - 28k

Meal-offerings (9 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 13:5 had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the
meal-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain ...
/m/meal-offerings.htm - 9k

Myrrh (22 Occurrences)
... him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense,
and myrrh. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/myrrh.htm - 18k

Meal-offering (120 Occurrences)
... offereth an oblation of a meal-offering unto Jehovah, his oblation shall be of fine
flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: (ASV JPS ...
/m/meal-offering.htm - 40k

Cereal (124 Occurrences)
... 2:1 "'When anyone offers an offering of a meal offering to Yahweh, his offering
shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it ...
/c/cereal.htm - 36k

Thereon (90 Occurrences)
... 1 And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of
fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: (KJV ...
/t/thereon.htm - 34k

Fire-offering (45 Occurrences)
... unto the sons of Aaron, the priests, and he hath taken from thence the fulness of
his hand of its flour and of its oil, besides all its frankincense, and the ...
/f/fire-offering.htm - 21k

Resources
Why did the Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about aromatherapy? | GotQuestions.org

What was the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30)? | GotQuestions.org

Frankincense: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Frankincense (22 Occurrences)

Matthew 2:11
They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Revelation 18:13
and cinnamon, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, sheep, horses, chariots, and people's bodies and souls.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 30:34
Yahweh said to Moses, "Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, and onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be an equal weight;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 2:1
"'When anyone offers an offering of a meal offering to Yahweh, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Leviticus 2:2
He shall bring it to Aaron's sons, the priests; and he shall take his handful of its fine flour, and of its oil, with all its frankincense; and the priest shall burn its memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Leviticus 2:15
You shall put oil on it, and lay frankincense on it: it is a meal offering.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 2:16
The priest shall burn as its memorial, part of its bruised grain, and part of its oil, along with all its frankincense: it is an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 5:11
"'But if he can't afford two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he shall bring his offering for that in which he has sinned, the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it, neither shall he put any frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 6:15
He shall take from there his handful of the fine flour of the meal offering, and of its oil, and all the frankincense which is on the meal offering, and shall burn it on the altar for a pleasant aroma, as its memorial, to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)

Leviticus 24:7
You shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Numbers 5:15
then the man shall bring his wife to the priest, and shall bring her offering for her: the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal. He shall pour no oil on it, nor put frankincense on it, for it is a meal offering of jealousy, a meal offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to memory.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 9:29
Some of them also were appointed over the furniture, and over all the vessels of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Nehemiah 13:5
had prepared for him a great chamber, where before they laid the meal offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the wave offerings for the priests.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Nehemiah 13:9
Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and there brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meal offerings and the frankincense.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Song of Songs 3:6
Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Song of Songs 4:6
Until the day is cool, and the shadows flee away, I will go to the mountain of myrrh, to the hill of frankincense.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Song of Songs 4:14
Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 43:23
You have not brought me of your sheep for burnt offerings; neither have you honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT RSV)

Isaiah 60:6
The multitude of camels shall cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of Yahweh.
(WEB ASV YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 66:3
He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog's neck; he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig's blood; he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations:
(WEB JPS ASV YLT RSV)

Jeremiah 6:20
To what purpose comes there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV)

Jeremiah 17:26
They shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places around Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the lowland, and from the hill country, and from the South, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meal offerings, and frankincense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving, to the house of Yahweh.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT RSV)

Subtopics

Frankincense

Frankincense in Making an offering of Memorial

Frankincense used As an Incense

Frankincense used With Meat offerings

Frankincense used With Showbread

Frankincense: A Perfume

Frankincense: An Ingredient of the Sacred Oil

Frankincense: Commerce In

Frankincense: Prohibited, in Sin offerings when They Consist of Turtledoves or Pigeons

Related Terms

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)

Memorial-part (7 Occurrences)

Memorial (54 Occurrences)

Meal-offerings (9 Occurrences)

Myrrh (22 Occurrences)

Meal-offering (120 Occurrences)

Cereal (124 Occurrences)

Thereon (90 Occurrences)

Fire-offering (45 Occurrences)

Incense (167 Occurrences)

Flour (69 Occurrences)

Ephah (55 Occurrences)

Portion (227 Occurrences)

Oblation (208 Occurrences)

Monthly (11 Occurrences)

Powders (1 Occurrence)

Cane (11 Occurrences)

Soothing (40 Occurrences)

Spice (25 Occurrences)

Odour (43 Occurrences)

Sweet (147 Occurrences)

Aroma (50 Occurrences)

Odor (46 Occurrences)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Savour (52 Occurrences)

Pleasant (119 Occurrences)

Fragrance (63 Occurrences)

Fragrant (30 Occurrences)

Fine (184 Occurrences)

Burn (206 Occurrences)

Sow (61 Occurrences)

Meat-offering (111 Occurrences)

Presents (38 Occurrences)

Smoke (98 Occurrences)

Savor (51 Occurrences)

Besides (178 Occurrences)

Oil (281 Occurrences)

Tenth (89 Occurrences)

Remembrance (74 Occurrences)

Meal (288 Occurrences)

Pour (137 Occurrences)

Burnt-offerings (86 Occurrences)

Offer (403 Occurrences)

Pleasing (185 Occurrences)

Utensils (72 Occurrences)

Articles (78 Occurrences)

Handful (10 Occurrences)

Pure (160 Occurrences)

Homage (51 Occurrences)

Corn (107 Occurrences)

Unguent (1 Occurrence)

Opened (182 Occurrences)

Onycha (1 Occurrence)

Oversee (7 Occurrences)

Ointments (9 Occurrences)

Odors (8 Occurrences)

Oblations (24 Occurrences)

Offers (35 Occurrences)

Offereth (28 Occurrences)

Opening (242 Occurrences)

Odours (8 Occurrences)

One-tenth (9 Occurrences)

Offered (320 Occurrences)

Lebonah (1 Occurrence)

Gum (3 Occurrences)

Grits (2 Occurrences)

Galbanum (1 Occurrence)

Groats (4 Occurrences)

Worshipped (81 Occurrences)

Worshiped (83 Occurrences)

Insufficient (3 Occurrences)

Furnishings (22 Occurrences)

Fell (331 Occurrences)

Frankly (2 Occurrences)

Foothills (19 Occurrences)

Finest (23 Occurrences)

Framing (1 Occurrence)

Fallen (233 Occurrences)

Framing
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