Myrrh is a reddish-brown dried sap from a thorny tree called *Commiphora myrrha* that is native to the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Africa. It has been used for thousands of years for various purposes:
* Fragrance: Myrrh has a pleasant, slightly bitter and smoky aroma, so it was (and still is) burned as incense and used in perfumes.
* Medicine: It possesses antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties. It was used to treat wounds, as a mouthwash, and for embalming.
* Religious and Cultural Significance: It was considered a valuable and sacred substance in many ancient cultures, including those of the Middle East and Egypt.
Why it was given to Jesus:
The gifts of the Magi (Wise Men) were not random; they were symbolic and valuable:
* Gold: Represented kingship. Gold was a gift fit for a king.
* Frankincense: Represented deity and priesthood. Frankincense was used in temple offerings and connected with worship.
* Myrrh: Represented death, suffering, and healing. It was used in embalming and as an analgesic. It was considered a symbolic gesture, foreshadowing Jesus's eventual sacrifice and death.
In the context of the gifts given to the infant Jesus, myrrh is interpreted by many as a prophecy of his future suffering and death as the Messiah. The gift highlights the dual nature of his coming: as a king (gold) and divine (frankincense), but also as a human destined for suffering (myrrh).