or לְבֹנָה; from לָבָן; frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke); (frank-) incense.
Transliteration:lᵉbôwnâh
Pronunciation:leb-o-naw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term *lᵉbôwnâh* (לְבוֹנָה), Strong's `{{H3828}}`, refers to frankincense, a fragrant gum resin obtained from trees of the genus *Boswellia*. Its etymology is deeply significant, deriving from the root *lāḇān* (לָבָן), `{{H3835}}`, meaning "to be white." This etymological connection likely points to the whitish color of the resin itself, or perhaps the white smoke produced when it is burned. The semantic range of *lᵉbôwnâh* is quite narrow, almost exclusively denoting this specific aromatic substance, which was highly valued in ancient Near Eastern cultures for its fragrance and medicinal properties, but most notably for its sacred use in religious rituals.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
*Lᵉbôwnâh* appears frequently in the Old Testament, almost exclusively within the context of the Mosaic Law and Temple worship. Its primary use was as a component in various offerings presented to YHWH.
It was a mandatory ingredient in the grain offerings (*minchah*), signifying dedication and consecration. For example, [[Leviticus 2:1-2]] states, "When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it... and the priest shall burn its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD." This is reiterated in [[Leviticus 6:15]].
Frankincense was also placed on the rows of showbread in the Tabernacle/Temple, as prescribed in [[Leviticus 24:7]], where it served as a memorial portion, indicating the perpetual dedication of the bread to God.
Crucially, *lᵉbôwnâh* was an ingredient in the sacred incense mixture burned on the golden altar of incense, as detailed in [[Exodus 30:34]]. This holy incense was distinct and not to be used for common purposes, underscoring frankincense's sacred status.
Significantly, frankincense was explicitly *excluded* from certain offerings. For instance, in the poor person's sin offering of fine flour, [[Leviticus 5:11]] commands, "he shall put no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering." Similarly, it was omitted from the jealousy offering in [[Numbers 5:15]]. These exclusions highlight that frankincense was associated with purity, joy, and acceptance, not with sin, sorrow, or suspicion.
Beyond its ritual use, *lᵉbôwnâh* is mentioned as an item stored in the Temple treasuries, indicating its value and importance in the cultic economy ([[1 Chronicles 9:29]], [[Nehemiah 13:5]], [[Nehemiah 13:9]]). Prophetic texts also allude to it, sometimes critically, as in [[Jeremiah 6:20]], where God rejects offerings, including frankincense, when true justice and righteousness are absent. Conversely, [[Isaiah 60:6]] envisions a future where nations bring gold and frankincense as tribute to Jerusalem, anticipating the worship of the Messiah.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to *lᵉbôwnâh* is its root, *lāḇān* (לָבָן), `{{H3835}}`, meaning "to be white." This connection imbues the substance with connotations of purity, cleanliness, and perhaps even divine light.
Other related terms include *minchah* (מִנְחָה), `{{H4503}}`, the "grain offering" with which frankincense was most commonly associated, and *qetoreth* (קְטֹרֶת), `{{H7004}}`, the general term for "incense," of which frankincense was a vital component. The concept of a "pleasing aroma" (*rêaḥ nîḥōaḥ*, `{{H7381}}`) to the LORD is frequently linked to offerings containing frankincense, emphasizing divine acceptance.
In the New Testament, while *lᵉbôwnâh* is a Hebrew word, the substance itself appears as *libanos* (λίβανος), `{{G3030}}`, when the Magi offer frankincense to the infant Jesus ([[Matthew 2:11]]). This significant occurrence connects the Old Testament's sacred use of frankincense to the worship of the Messiah, fulfilling the prophetic vision of nations bringing tribute.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *lᵉbôwnâh* is multifaceted, deeply rooted in its ritual use and etymology.
1. **Purity and Holiness:** Derived from the root for "white," frankincense inherently symbolizes purity and holiness. Its inclusion in offerings designated as "most holy" (`{{H6944}}`) underscores its suitability for approaching a holy God.
2. **Pleasing Aroma and Divine Acceptance:** The burning of frankincense produced a fragrant smoke, often described as a "pleasing aroma" to YHWH. This signifies God's acceptance of the offering and, by extension, the worshiper. It speaks to the idea that worship, when offered in purity and according to divine command, ascends to God and finds favor.
3. **Dedication and Consecration:** As an integral part of the grain offering, frankincense represented the dedication of the worshiper's labor and sustenance to God. It transformed the mundane into the sacred, consecrating the offering and the offeror.
4. **Prayer and Worship Ascending:** The rising smoke of incense, of which frankincense was a part, is a powerful biblical metaphor for prayers ascending to God (cf. [[Psalm 141:2]], [[Revelation 5:8]], [[Revelation 8:3-4]]). It embodies the idea of communication with the divine, a spiritual ascent.
5. **Exclusivity and Distinction:** The strict regulations surrounding frankincense, particularly its exclusion from sin offerings and offerings of jealousy, highlight its unique sacred purpose. It was not to be associated with sin, impurity, or sorrow, but rather with joy, purity, and the unblemished worship due to God.
6. **Messianic Foreshadowing:** The gift of frankincense to Jesus by the Magi ([[Matthew 2:11]]) is profoundly significant. In the context of the Old Testament, frankincense was used in worship of God and for priests. This gift, alongside gold and myrrh, points to Jesus' divine nature, His kingship, and perhaps His priestly role, worthy of the most precious and sacred forms of worship.
### Summary
*Lᵉbôwnâh* (`{{H3828}}`), or frankincense, is a fragrant resin whose name, derived from the Hebrew word for "white" (`{{H3835}}`), inherently signifies purity. In the Old Testament, it was primarily used in the Tabernacle and Temple rituals, most notably as an essential component of grain offerings (`{{H4503}}`) and the holy incense (`{{H6988}}`). Its presence in these offerings, and its explicit exclusion from sin offerings ([[Leviticus 5:11]]), underscores its association with holiness, joy, and divine acceptance. Theologically, *lᵉbôwnâh* symbolizes the purity required for worship, the ascent of prayer, and the pleasing aroma of dedicated offerings to God. Its appearance as a prophetic tribute in [[Isaiah 60:6]] and its fulfillment as a gift to the Messiah in [[Matthew 2:11]] further elevate its significance, connecting this sacred ancient substance to the worship of the divine King and High Priest.
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