Frankincense <1,,2030, libanos>
from a Semitic verb signifying "to be white," is a vegetable resin, bitter and glittering, obtained by incisions in the bark of the arbor thuris, "the incense tree," and especially imported through Arabia; it was used for fumigation at sacrifices, Exo 30:7, etc., or for perfume, Son 3:6. The Indian variety is called looban. It was among the offerings brought by the wise men, Mat 2:11. In Rev 18:13 it is listed among the commodities of Babylon. The "incense" of Rev 8:3 should be "frankincense." Cp. INCENSE.
