Myrrh is one of the gifts brought by the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus. But this valuable resin has much deeper symbolic meaning in the Bible beyond its monetary value. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to what myrrh spiritually represents in the Bible: Myrrh embodies bitterness, suffering, mortality, and penitence.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the varied spiritual symbolism of myrrh throughout the Bible. We’ll study how myrrh was used in religious ceremonies and burial rites in ancient times. We’ll analyze key biblical passages featuring myrrh to uncover its meaning related to bitterness, penitence, Christ’s passion, and our own spiritual growth.
The Role of Myrrh in Ancient Religious Rituals
Myrrh’s Use in Burial Rites
In ancient times, myrrh oil was commonly used to anoint the dead before burial. The aromatic resin was highly prized for its pleasant scent and preservative properties. According to historical records, myrrh was one of the key ingredients used by ancient Egyptians during the mummification process to help preserve corpses.
There are several biblical references connecting myrrh to burial rites. When Jesus was buried after his crucifixion, myrrh was one of the oils brought by Nicodemus to anoint his body (John 19:39). This follows Jewish custom at the time to cover the body with oils and spices before interment.
Myrrh and other fragrant spices would help mask the smell of decomposition.
This practice of using myrrh as a perfume at burial continued well into New Testament times. When Judas goes to betray Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus says, “She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burial” (Mark 14:8), referring to Mary’s pouring of expensive spikenard oil on his feet.
Myrrh was likely also used along with aloes to wrap Jesus’ body for entombment, as described in John 19:38-40.
Myrrh in Ancient Jewish Rituals
In addition to burial customs, myrrh was used in various Jewish religious rites prescribed in the Torah. Exodus 30 specifically calls for the holy anointing oil, used to consecrate the Tent of Meeting, Ark of the Covenant, and sacred vessels, to be made with 250 shekels of liquid myrrh along with other fragrant spices like cinnamon and calamus.
While Exodus doesn’t give details on how they used this specially formulated oil, rabbis theorize it likely involved pouring small amounts over people or objects to signify them as set apart for God’s work and purposes.
The precise ingredients and measurements were commanded by God to Moses to ensure the sacredness of this anointing oil.
The book of Esther also describes myrrh as one of the purifying treatments used to prepare young virgins before they were presented as candidates to be the next Queen of Persia (Esther 2:12). This may provide some insight into additional ritual uses of myrrh perfumes for purification practices in ancient Jewish culture.
Symbolic Meanings of Myrrh in Key Biblical Passages
The Bitterness of Myrrh
Myrrh is known for its bitter taste and pungent aroma. This bitterness symbolizes the sorrow, grief, and suffering that are common human experiences (https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/myrrh/). In the Bible, myrrh was one of the gifts brought by the Magi to the Christ child (Matthew 2:11).
This foreshadowed the bitterness and suffering that Christ would later experience in his passion and death on the cross for the salvation of humanity.
The Bible also describes myrrh as an ingredient in a “wine of relief,” given to condemned criminals before their crucifixion to deaden the senses (Mark 15:23). This reflects how myrrh was used as an early anesthetic in the ancient world.
When Christ was offered wine mixed with myrrh before his crucifixion, he refused it, choosing to endure his sufferings fully conscious (Mark 15:23). This symbolized how he willingly took on the full bitterness of the human condition to redeem it.
Myrrh Represents Mortality and Penitence
In ancient Israel, myrrh was one of the key ingredients for the holy anointing oil used to consecrate the tabernacle, high priests, and kings (Exodus 30:23). But later, it became associated with embalming of corpses, as we see when Nicodemus brings a mixture of myrrh and aloes to wrap Christ’s dead body (John 19:39-40).
This connection of myrrh with mortality gives it penitential symbolism. Myrrh mixed with wine was used by early Christians during times of fasting and repentance. And in the Orthodox Church today, penitents are anointed with holy myrrh at their reception back into the church.
Just as myrrh preserves dead bodies from decay, the mercy of God can preserve souls and give new life to those who repent.
Myrrh Points Toward Christ’s Passion
Perhaps the deepest symbolic meaning of myrrh is how it points toward Christ’s passion and death on the cross. We see myrrh associated with Christ’s passion from his very birth to his death and burial:
| – Brought as a gift at Christ’s birth (Matthew 2:11) |
| – Offered but refused before his crucifixion (Mark 15:23) |
| – Used to embalm Christ’s body after death (John 19:39) |
This creates a symbolic arc connecting Christ’s incarnation to his passion. Just as Christ was born into mortal human flesh destined to suffer and die, he transformed human death into resurrected eternal life for those who believe in him.
This is reflected in the Eastern Christian hymn sung during Holy Week:
“Come, O faithful, let us enjoy the fragrance of Christ’s divinity! Let us drink in with love at this vigil redolent with sweet myrrh, and we shall see Christ’s final Passover!”
The fragrance of myrrh beautifully conveys how Christ’s passion leads humanity into eternal life and incorruptible peace with God. This is the deeper spiritual meaning behind the myrrh offered to Christ from his birth to his burial tomb.
Lessons on Spiritual Growth from the Symbolism of Myrrh
Embracing Suffering on the Spiritual Path
Just as Christ suffered before rising again, myrrh’s bitter taste reminds us that the spiritual path often involves enduring suffering or difficult trials before achieving enlightenment, wisdom and being spiritually renewed.
As the Bible says, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22). When we embrace the suffering mindfully as part of God’s plan instead of rejecting it, we grow spiritually.
Practicing Repentance and Self-Denial
The act of anointing or applying myrrh oil in the Bible symbolized sorrow and repentance for sins. Just as we must rub myrrh resin to release its precious oil, spiritual growth requires crushing our ego through practices like repentance, self-denial and letting go of worldly attachments and desires.
As Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
Preparing for Our Own Death
Myrrh’s use for embalming foreshadows Christ’s death. This reminds us that contemplating the inevitability of our own death helps us live more purposefully and focus on spiritual growth. As the Bible reminds us, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) When we accept that this life is fleeting, we prioritize pursuing enlightenment.
As these lessons from myrrh symbolism demonstrate, embracing suffering, regularly examining our conscience and repenting, as well as meditating on death’s inevitability all facilitate spiritual growth.
Just as myrrh had to be crushed and poured out to produce its precious oil, we too must humble ourselves before God to attain wisdom and become spiritually renewed.
Conclusion
Myrrh’s linkage with bitterness, suffering, death, and repentance gives this biblical herb profound symbolic meaning related to the spiritual life. By understanding the ritual purpose and biblical symbolism of myrrh, we uncover how this herb points toward the passion of Christ and the need for self-denial and repentance in our own spiritual growth.
Just as myrrh was used to anoint Christ’s body in preparation for entombment, we too can embrace the bitterness of suffering to die to our old sinful ways. Myrrh reminds us of our mortality and inspires us toward heartfelt repentance to unite with God.
Its difficult scent and taste guide us to tread the hard spiritual road of self-denial and transformation into Christ-like love.
