or מוֹר; from מָרַר; myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter); myrrh.
Transliteration:môr
Pronunciation:more
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מֹר (môr), transliterated as *môr* (Strong's `{{H4753}}`), refers to "myrrh." Its etymology traces back to the root מָרַר (*marar*, `{{H4843}}`), which signifies "to be bitter" or "to be strong." This etymological connection is crucial, as it highlights two primary characteristics of myrrh: its distinctive bitter taste and its potent aromatic properties. Myrrh is a fragrant gum resin exuded from the bark of various trees of the genus *Commiphora*, particularly *Commiphora myrrha*. The "distilling in drops" aspect of its definition accurately describes how the resin oozes from the tree. Semantically, *môr* encompasses the physical substance itself, its characteristic bitterness, its use as a perfume, an anointing agent, and a preservative. Its dual nature—bitter yet fragrant—lends itself to rich symbolic interpretations.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word *môr* appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in contexts related to sacred rituals, personal adornment, and expressions of love.
* **Cultic Use:** In [[Exodus 30:23]], myrrh is specified as one of the principal ingredients in the holy anointing oil, commanded by God for the consecration of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as the priests. This highlights its role in sanctification and setting apart for divine service, underscoring its sacred significance.
* **Royal and Personal Adornment:** Myrrh is mentioned among the luxurious perfumes associated with royalty and wealth, as seen in [[Psalm 45:8]], where the king's garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia. This usage emphasizes its value and its association with honor and blessing.
* **Seduction and Allure:** In the narrative of the adulteress in [[Proverbs 7:17]], myrrh is used to perfume her bed, serving as an enticing fragrance to lure her victim. This context reveals its common use in secular settings for its alluring properties.
* **Purification and Preparation:** [[Esther 2:12]] describes myrrh as part of the twelve-month purification and beautification regimen for the young women preparing to meet King Ahasuerus. Here, it signifies cleansing, preparation, and enhancement of beauty.
* **Love and Intimacy:** The Song of Solomon features *môr* prominently, often alongside frankincense and other spices. It symbolizes the beloved's desirability and the intoxicating nature of love. Examples include [[Song of Solomon 1:13]], where the beloved is a sachet of myrrh resting between the breasts; [[Song of Solomon 3:6]], describing a procession coming up from the wilderness perfumed with myrrh and frankincense; [[Song of Solomon 4:6]] and [[Song of Solomon 4:14]], where it is part of the garden of spices; and [[Song of Solomon 5:1]] and [[Song of Solomon 5:5]], where it drips from the beloved's hands and fingers. These occurrences underscore its association with beauty, passion, and the essence of intimate union.
* **New Testament Connection:** While *môr* is a Hebrew word, the substance myrrh (Greek: σμύρνα, *smyrna*, `{{G4667}}`) carries profound theological weight in the New Testament. It is among the gifts brought by the Magi to the infant Jesus ([[Matthew 2:11]]), a prophetic foreshadowing of His future suffering and death. Most significantly, it is mixed with aloes and used by Nicodemus to prepare Jesus' body for burial ([[John 19:39]]), highlighting its ancient use as an embalming agent and connecting it directly to Christ's sacrifice.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of *môr* is enriched by examining its relationship to other biblical terms and ideas:
* **Root Word:** The underlying root מָרַר (*marar*, `{{H4843}}`), meaning "to be bitter," provides insight into myrrh's inherent quality and potential symbolic depth. This bitterness can allude to suffering or the astringent nature of purification.
* **Other Aromatics:** Myrrh is frequently mentioned alongside other precious spices and perfumes, such as frankincense (לְבוֹנָה, *levonah*, `{{H3828}}`), cassia (קְצִיעָה, *qetsi'ah*, `{{H7102}}`), and cinnamon (קִנָּמוֹן, *qinnamon*, `{{H7076}}`). These substances collectively signify luxury, sacred offerings, and pleasing aromas.
* **Anointing Oil:** The "holy anointing oil" (שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחָה, *shemen mishchah*, `{{H8081}}` `{{H4888}}`) is a key conceptual link, as *môr* is a primary ingredient, emphasizing its role in consecration.
* **Perfume/Incense:** Concepts like קְטֹרֶת (*qetoret*, `{{H7004}}`, "incense") and בֶּשֶׂם (*besem*, `{{H1314}}`, "spice, perfume") are closely related, as myrrh falls under these general categories of aromatic substances.
* **NT Equivalent:** The Greek word σμύρνα (*smyrna*, `{{G4667}}`) in the New Testament directly refers to the same substance, linking the Old Testament's use of *môr* to the profound events of Christ's life and death.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *môr* is multifaceted, drawing from its various applications and its inherent properties.
* **Consecration and Holiness:** As a component of the holy anointing oil, myrrh symbolizes divine consecration and the setting apart of persons and objects for sacred service. Its inclusion in the Tabernacle's sacred preparations underscores its association with God's presence and the purity required for worship.
* **Purity and Preparation for Divine Encounter:** Its use in the purification rites for Queen Esther highlights a theme of cleansing and preparation, not merely for human kingship, but symbolically for readiness to stand before divine authority. This suggests that the bitter aspects of purification lead to a state of beauty and acceptance.
* **The Fragrance of Love and Intimacy:** In the Song of Solomon, myrrh embodies the intoxicating beauty and desirability of the beloved. Theologically, this can be understood as the sweet fragrance of the intimate relationship between God and His people, or Christ and His Church, where love is both costly (bitter) and profoundly beautiful (fragrant).
* **Suffering, Sacrifice, and Redemption:** The most profound theological resonance of myrrh comes from its association with the life and death of Jesus Christ. The gift of myrrh at His birth, alongside gold and frankincense, foreshadows His kingly identity and priestly role, but also His ultimate suffering and death. Its use in His burial, as recorded in [[John 19:39]], powerfully connects myrrh to the bitterness of the cross, the reality of death, and the hope of resurrection. It speaks to the preserving power of Christ's sacrifice, a fragrance of redemption that overcomes the stench of sin and death. Thus, myrrh, bitter yet preserving, becomes a symbol of Christ's atoning work.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מֹר (*môr*, `{{H4753}}`) denotes myrrh, an aromatic gum resin whose etymological root points to both its bitterness and strength. In the Old Testament, *môr* is a valuable substance used for sacred anointing in the Tabernacle, as a luxurious perfume for royalty, in purification rituals for women, and as a potent symbol of love and desire in the Song of Solomon. Its presence consistently signifies beauty, value, and a pleasing aroma. Theologically, *môr* carries profound weight, representing consecration, purity, and the alluring fragrance of divine love. Most significantly, through its presence at the birth and burial of Christ in the New Testament (as σμύρνα, `{{G4667}}`), myrrh transcends its material properties to become a powerful emblem of Christ's suffering, sacrifice, and the preserving power of His redemptive work, embodying a costly yet ultimately beautiful path to salvation.
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