Why did the wise men give myrrh to an infant- that is used a burial oil?
Since the child was a "king", the assumption was that he had come to his throne through the death of his father. The myrrh was intended to honor his deceased parent.
But it had a greater significance. It represented that even at his birth, his death was to be more important then his birth, life or teachings.
January 14th, 2010 at 10:31 am
cause the Virgin Mary would use it later. HA
References :
January 14th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Myrrh has a numbing (analgesic) property and was (and still is in some countries) used on infants to sooth diaper rash and teething pain. It also has extremely high antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and is still a common ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash.
It was actually a very practical gift, and probably the most practical of the three.
References :
January 14th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Have you never heard of The Gift of the Magi? Its a play that shows that its the kindness of the person GIVING, not the gift itself that matters. They gave myrrh because it was valuable, not because Jesus would use it right away.
References :
January 14th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
It was a costly gift….the wise men wanted to give something of value to the newborn King
References :
January 14th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Those goods were expensive and they could use it as money.
References :
January 14th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Since the child was a "king", the assumption was that he had come to his throne through the death of his father. The myrrh was intended to honor his deceased parent.
But it had a greater significance. It represented that even at his birth, his death was to be more important then his birth, life or teachings.
References :
January 14th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Read Exodus, Moses was ordered to use it consecrate that which was to serve God. He put it on the tent that was to be the Temple and also on Aaron and his sons.
References :
January 14th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
The gifts of the wise men were given as gifts to a king…they are all things that a king would possess…also it kind foretells of his life…which ended in death and resurrection.
References :
January 14th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
The gifts were symbolic: gold for an earthly king, frankincense to honor the living god, myrrh to anoint the sacrifice.
References :
January 14th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
It was also a gift symbolizing that they recognized Jesus as a prophet.
References :