Myrrh

Heb. mor. (1.) First mentioned as a principal ingredient in the holy anointing oil (Ex. 30:23). It formed part of the gifts "brought by the wise men from the east, who came to worship the" infant Jesus (Matt. 2:11). It was used in embalming (John "19:39), also as a perfume (Esther 2:12; Ps. 45:8; Prov. 7:17)." It was a custom of the Jews to give those who were condemned to "death by crucifixion "wine mingled with myrrh" to produce" insensibility. This drugged wine was probably partaken of by the "two malefactors, but when the Roman soldiers pressed it upon" "Jesus "he received it not" (Mark 15:23). (See [427]GALL.)" "This was the gum or viscid white liquid which flows from a tree "resembling the acacia, found in Africa and Arabia, the" "Balsamodendron myrrha of botanists. The "bundle of myrrh" in" "Cant. 1:13 is rather a "bag" of myrrh or a scent-bag." "(2.) Another word lot is also translated "myrrh" (Gen. 37:25; "43:11; R.V., marg., "or ladanum"). What was meant by this word" "is uncertain. It has been thought to be the chestnut, mastich," "stacte, balsam, turpentine, pistachio nut, or the lotus. It is" "probably correctly rendered by the Latin word ladanum, the" "Arabic ladan, an aromatic juice of a shrub called the Cistus or" "rock rose, which has the same qualities, though in a slight" "degree, of opium, whence a decoction of opium is called" laudanum. This plant was indigenous to Syria and Arabia.