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# myrrh

noun (myrrh, uncountable)

«myrrh» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A sweet-smelling, bitter gum (resin) from a small thorny tree in Arabia and Africa, used in perfumes, medicines and incense. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/myrrh/#m1)
2. (Bible) One of the three gifts the wise men gave the baby Jesus, with gold and frankincense; Christians see it as a sign of his death, because myrrh was used to prepare bodies for burial. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/myrrh/#m2)

### In the lessons

In nativity plays and religion lessons myrrh is the «sad» gift that points to Jesus's death. In history, ancient Egyptians used myrrh when making mummies. Phrases: «gold, frankincense and myrrh».

### Examples

- The third wise man brought myrrh. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/myrrh/#x1)
- Myrrh is a resin from a thorny tree. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/myrrh/#x2)
- Gold, frankincense and myrrh were gifts for a king. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/myrrh/#x3)
- Myrrh was used to prepare bodies for burial. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/myrrh/#x4)
- The Egyptians used myrrh for their mummies. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/myrrh/#x5)
- In the carol, myrrh's «bitter perfume» speaks of sorrow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/myrrh/#x6)

### Note

Uncountable. Strange spelling: m-y-r-r-h; pronounced «mur», rhymes with «fur». Silent h at the end.

## In Jewish tradition

The oil made from it was used to anoint the Tent, its furnishings and the priests, setting them apart as holy. Song of Songs and Psalms use myrrh as a picture of beauty and royal gladness.

**Interpretation.** Tradition says this oil was for holy use only, and it was forbidden to make it for ordinary use.

### Examples

- 'Take thou also unto thee the chief spices, of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty, (Torah EXO.30.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/myrrh/#x1)
- I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. (Writings PRO.7.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/myrrh/#x2)
- My beloved is unto me as a bag of myrrh, that lieth betwixt my breasts. (Writings SNG.1.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/myrrh/#x3)
- Myrrh, and aloes, and cassia are all thy garments; out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad. (Writings PSA.45.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/myrrh/#x4)

### Note

Uncountable. Strange spelling: m-y-r-r-h; pronounced «mur», rhymes with «fur». Silent h at the end.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «myrrh» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/myrrh/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«myrrh» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/myrrh.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «myrrh» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/myrrh/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«myrrh» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/myrrh.html) on Mova free.