whence the name "Smyrna," a word of Semitic origin, Heb., mor, from a root meaning "bitter," is a gum resin from a shrubby tree, which grows in Yemen and neighboring regions of Africa; the fruit is smooth and somewhat larger than a pea. The color of myrrh varies from pale reddish-yellow to reddish-brown or red. The taste is bitter, and the substance astringent, acting as an antiseptic and a stimulant. It was used as a perfume, Psa 45:8, where the language is symbolic of the graces of the Messiah; Pro 7:17, Son 1:13, Son 5:5; it was one of the ingredients of the "holy anointing oil" for the priests, Exo 30:23 (RV, "flowing myrrh"); it was used also for the purification of women, Est 2:12; for embalming, Joh 19:39; as an anodyne see B); it was one of the gifts of the Magi, Mat 2:11.
is used transitively in the NT, with the meaning "to mingle or drug with myrrh," Mar 15:23; the mixture was doubtless offered to deaden the pain (Matthew's word "gall" suggests that "myrrh" was not the only ingredient). Christ refused to partake of any such means of alleviation; He would retain all His mental power for the complete fulfillment of the Father's will.
