Greek word · G3030

λίβανος

libanos

frankincense

Frankincense: the hardened gum resin of Boswellia trees, which grow in southern Arabia (modern Yemen and Oman) and Somalia. It was burned for its fragrant smoke. The word comes from a Semitic root meaning "white" (Hebrew lᵉbōnāh).

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

λίβανος, -ου, ὁ

(rarely ἡ), (from the Semitic; cf. the Heb. equiv.), [in LXX for לְבוֹנָה Exodus 30:34, Isaiah 60:6; Sirach 24:15, al. ;]

1. in cl., the frankincense-tree.

2. (Occas. in cl.) frankincense (so Leviticus 2:1; cf. λιβανωτός): Matthew 2:11, Revelation 18:13.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 2:11

Range of meaning

Frankincense: the hardened gum resin of Boswellia trees, which grow in southern Arabia (modern Yemen and Oman) and Somalia. It was burned for its fragrant smoke. The word comes from a Semitic root meaning "white" (Hebrew lᵉbōnāh).

Against the English

"Frankincense" is accurate. Modern readers often do not realise how expensive it was or how closely it was tied to the temple.

Used elsewhere in the period

It was a required ingredient in the holy incense (Exod 30:34) and was placed on grain offerings and the bread of the Presence (Lev 2:1; 24:7). Isaiah 60:6 says "from Sheba they will come, bringing gold and frankincense (chrysion kai libanon in the Greek)". Pliny (Natural History 12.51–65) describes the Arabian incense trade and its huge prices.

Similar words

Where it appears

Matthew · 1

  1. Matthew 2:11 λίβανον frankincense

    On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

    Here: Frankincense, a costly white resin from trees of southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa. It was burned in temple incense, and Isaiah 60:6 pairs it with gold as the wealth the nations bring.

Revelation · 1

  1. Revelation 18:13 λίβανον frankincense

    of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of slaves.

    Here: Frankincense resin from South Arabia and the Horn of Africa. It was burned in vast amounts in Roman temples, at sacrifices to the emperor, and at funerals. It is the same word as the gift of the magi in Matthew 2:11.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.