### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma σμύρνα (smýrna, `{{G4666}}`) denotes "myrrh," an aromatic gum resin derived from the *Commiphora myrrha* tree, native to the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Africa. The Strong's definition notes its apparent strengthening from μύρον (myron, `{{G3464}}`), anointing oil or ointment, suggesting a close etymological and semantic connection. While μύρον is a broader term for perfumed oil, σμύρνα specifically refers to the bitter, fragrant resin itself, which was a key ingredient in such oils. Its semantic range encompasses its use as a perfume, a medicinal agent (known for antiseptic and analgesic properties), and crucially, as an embalming agent. The inherent bitterness of myrrh, often contrasted with its sweet fragrance, lends itself to rich symbolic interpretation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term σμύρνα (smýrna) appears in the New Testament in two pivotal contexts:
1. **The Magi's Gift to the Infant Jesus:** In [[Matthew 2:11]], myrrh is presented as one of the three precious gifts brought by the Magi to the newborn King, alongside gold and frankincense. This gift is widely interpreted as prophetic, foreshadowing Jesus' suffering, death, and burial. Gold symbolizes His kingship, frankincense His divinity or priestly role, and myrrh, due to its association with embalming, points to His ultimate sacrifice. Its bitter nature can also symbolize the sorrow and pain of His earthly life and passion.
2. **Jesus' Crucifixion:** [[Mark 15:23]] records that Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh before His crucifixion. This concoction was a common practice, intended as an analgesic or sedative to dull the excruciating pain of crucifixion. Jesus' refusal of this mixture is profoundly significant; it demonstrates His conscious and resolute determination to face the full agony of the cross, without artificial relief. His rejection underscores His complete submission to the Father's will and His willingness to bear the full weight of humanity's sin in clear consciousness.
3. **Preparation for Burial (Implicit):** While the specific noun σμύρνα is not used in the nominative, [[John 19:39]] describes Nicodemus bringing "a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds" (σμύρνης being the genitive form of σμύρνα) for Jesus' burial. This substantial quantity highlights the honor and thoroughness of the burial preparations, consistent with Jewish customs for esteemed individuals. This passage implicitly connects the myrrh of His birth with the myrrh of His death, framing His entire earthly life within the shadow of His redemptive sacrifice.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **μύρον (myron, `{{G3464}}`):** As noted, σμύρνα is closely related to μύρον, which refers to perfumed oil or ointment. Myrrh was a primary ingredient in many such valuable anointing oils.
* **Frankincense (λιβανωτός - libanotos, `{{G3030}}`):** Often paired with myrrh, particularly in the Magi's gifts. Both are aromatic resins used in incense and perfumes. While frankincense is typically associated with worship and prayer, myrrh carries connotations of suffering and death.
* **Gold (χρυσός - chrysos, `{{G5557}}`):** The third gift of the Magi, representing kingship and divine majesty. The triad of gold, frankincense, and myrrh forms a profound symbolic representation of Jesus' multifaceted identity and mission: King, God/Priest, and Suffering Servant/Sacrifice.
* **Spices (ἀρώματα - aromata, `{{G703}}`):** Myrrh falls under this broader category of aromatic substances. The women who came to Jesus' tomb brought spices to anoint His body ([[Mark 16:1]], [[Luke 24:1]]), further emphasizing the funerary and medicinal uses of such substances.
* **Anointing (ἀλείφω - aleipho, `{{G218}}` / χρίω - chrio, `{{G5548}}`):** Myrrh was a crucial component in anointing oils, used for sacred rituals, medicinal purposes, and particularly for embalming and preparing bodies for burial in ancient Near Eastern cultures.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of σμύρνα is profound, particularly given its strategic placement at the beginning and end of Jesus' earthly ministry:
1. **Prophetic Foreshadowing of Suffering:** The gift of myrrh at Jesus' birth serves as a stark and poignant prophetic foreshadowing of His ultimate destiny: to suffer and die for the redemption of humanity. It signifies that even in His infancy, His path as the Suffering Servant was divinely ordained, linking His incarnation directly to His crucifixion and emphasizing the continuity of God's redemptive plan.
2. **Symbol of Conscious Sacrifice and Atonement:** Jesus' refusal of the myrrh-laced wine before His crucifixion underscores His conscious and voluntary embrace of the cross. He did not seek to alleviate His pain, but rather to fully experience the agony of atonement. This act highlights His complete obedience to the Father's will and His unmitigated bearing of the "bitterness" of sin and death on behalf of humanity.
3. **Dignity in Death and Royal Burial:** The lavish amount of myrrh and aloes brought by Nicodemus for Jesus' burial ([[John 19:39]]) speaks to His honor and dignity even in death. This act contrasts sharply with the ignominy of crucifixion, affirming His true identity as King and Messiah, deserving of a royal and priestly burial. It also underscores the reality of His death, which is foundational to the truth of His resurrection.
4. **Continuity of Divine Purpose:** The presence of myrrh at both His birth and His burial acts as a symbolic frame for Jesus' life, powerfully illustrating the consistent divine purpose from incarnation to crucifixion. It reveals a God who orchestrates events with perfect foresight, weaving together disparate moments into a coherent tapestry of salvation history, all centered on Christ's redemptive work.
### Summary
The Greek word σμύρνα (smýrna, `{{G4666}}`) refers to myrrh, an aromatic resin primarily known for its use in perfumes, medicines, and embalming. Its limited but highly significant appearances in the New Testament offer profound theological insights into the person and work of Jesus Christ. At His birth, the gift of myrrh ([[Matthew 2:11]]) prophetically foreshadows His suffering and death, directly linking His incarnation to His atoning sacrifice. Later, His refusal of wine mixed with myrrh before His crucifixion ([[Mark 15:23]]) demonstrates His conscious and complete embrace of the cross, bearing the full weight of human sin without artificial relief. Furthermore, the substantial quantity of myrrh and aloes used in His burial preparation ([[John 19:39]]) underscores the honor bestowed upon Him even in death, affirming His royal and messianic identity. Thus, σμύρνα serves as a powerful symbol of Christ's suffering, sacrifice, and the divine purpose woven throughout His earthly ministry, from the manger to the tomb.
TRV