Frankincense

Frankincense is an aromatic resin tapped from a desert tree, yielding a white gum that releases a sweet fragrance when burned. Costly and imported, it was reserved for sacred use as a key ingredient in the holy incense and was placed on the grain offerings and the bread of the presence.

Because it rose in pure, sweet smoke, frankincense came to stand for prayer and worship offered wholly to God. The Song of Solomon speaks of coming “with all powders of the merchant,” and the prophets foresaw nations bringing “gold and incense” in homage to the LORD.

At Bethlehem the wise men opened their treasures and offered “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” The frankincense among them was long read as a gift acknowledging the child’s deity — incense fit for one who would be worshipped — a fragrant confession laid before the infant King.