Answers about
frankincense in the Bible

also known as: olibanum or Boswellia resin

Hebrew: לְבוֹנָה —transliteration: lebonah —meaning: frankincense, or incense —derived from the word for “white” לָבָן (laban) —“White” may refer to its whiteness or to its smoke.

Greek: λίβανος or λιβανωτός —transliteration: libanos or libanōtós —occurrences: 2 (Matt. 2:11, Rev. 18:13)

Frankincense is an odorous resin that is obtained from Boswellia trees. In the days of the prophets, it was imported from Sheba, a kingdom in southern Arabia (Yemen) and Ethiopia (Isaiah 60:6; Jeremiah 6:20). These trees also grew in ancient Israel (Song of Songs 4:14).

Boswellia trees scarred by numerous tappings for their valuable resinous sap

At about 8-10 years of age, the trees begin producing harvestable sap which is tapped 2-3 times a year. Depending on the environment, age and type, boswellia tree can grow to a height of 40 feet. Types include the Boswellia carterii, aka Boswellia sacra, Boswellia frereana, and Boswellia serrata.

Pure frankincense is one of the ingredients in the fragrance mixture for the holy sanctuary (Exodus 30:34—combined with stacte, onycha, and galbanum fragrances).

Frankincense was also used as a required accompaniment to certain offerings (Leviticus 2:1, 16; 6:15; 24:7).

Frankincense burning on a hot coal

When burned it emits white smoke with a fragrant aroma, and so the incense became a symbol of the Divine name (Mal. 1:11; Song of Songs 1:3) and of prayer to God (Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10; Rev. 5:8; 8:3).

This fragrant resin was used in worship of God and is mentioned multiple times in the Bible.

It was valued for its aroma and was one of the gifts brought by the Wise Men (magi) to young Jesus, symbolizing His sovereign divinity and their worship of Him (Matthew 2:11, gold, frankincense, and myrrh).

Frankincense may have been used in Jesus’ tomb burial.

Incense is even mentioned in the book of Revelation.

Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And athe smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. —Revelation 8:3-4

Frankincense was also used medically in Bible times, for treatment of skin conditions, wounds, and sores. It has anti-inflammatory effects, anti-bacterial, pain relief, and tranquilizing effects. The Eqyptians it used in in their mummification proess. In Persian medicine, it was used for diabetes, gastritis and stomach ulcer.

Frankincense has been traded on the Somali and Arabian Peninsula for more than 5,000 years.

Greek historian Herodotus correctly reported in The History… (5th century BC) that frankincense was harvested from trees in southern Arabia. He also reported that the gum was dangerous to harvest because of winged serpents that guard the trees and that the smoke from burning storax/styrax (another fragrant resin) would drive the snakes away.

Today, most frankincense production is in the Horn of Africa, especially on the border between Ethiopia and Somalia where thousands of tons are traded.