Original Word: מֹר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: more
Pronunciation: mohr
Phonetic Spelling: (mor)
KJV: myrrh
NASB: myrrh
Word Origin: [from H4843 (מָרַר - bitter)]

1. myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter)

myrrh

Or mowr {more}; from marar; myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter) -- myrrh.

see HEBREW marar

Word Origin
from marar
Definition
myrrh
NASB Translation
myrrh (12).

מֹר, מוֺר noun masculine^{Song of Solomon 5:5} myrrh (from bitter taste; Assyrian murru Meissn^{Suppl. 60}; Arabic ; compare Lag^{BN 40}); — absolute מֹר Psalm 45:9 5t., מוֺר Songs 4:6 3t. Cant; construct מָרֿ Exodus 30:23; suffix מוֺרִי Songs 5:1; — myrrh (late), an Arabian gum, exuding from the bark of a tree, Balsamodendron Myrrha (see Sigismund^{Aromata 12 f.} Ri^{HWB under the word}): — as flowing, i.e. fine, choice (carefully prepared by pressing and mixing, compare Di^{Exodus 30:23} Ri^HWB): מָרדְּֿרוֺר Exodus 30:23 (see I. דְּרוֺר), ingredient of sacred oil; מוֺר עֹבֵר Songs 5:5,13 (as perfume); compare (as perfume) Songs 1:13; Songs 4:14; Songs 5:1,5; הַרהַֿמּוֺר Songs 4:6, i.e. where it is gathered; as perfume also Psalm 45:9; Proverbs 7:17, as incense מְקֻטֶּרֶת מֹר וּלְבֹנָה Songs 3:6; שֶׁמֶן הַמּוֺר as unguent Esther 2:12.

Botanical and Geographical Background

מֹר (myrrh) is the fragrant resin exuded from several species of Commiphora trees native to Arabia, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Harvested by cutting the bark so that “tears” of gum harden in the sun, myrrh was ground, mixed with oils, or burned as incense. Its rarity and difficulty of extraction made it one of the costliest spices of the ancient Near East, frequently traded alongside gold and frankincense (compare Isaiah 60:6).

In the Tabernacle and Temple

The Lord expressly named myrrh first among the ingredients for the holy anointing oil: “Take the finest spices: twelve and a half pounds of liquid myrrh…” (Exodus 30:23). This sacred compound, reserved for anointing the tent of meeting, the ark, and the priests, set apart both place and people for God’s exclusive service. Because any attempt to duplicate the formula incurred the death penalty (Exodus 30:32–33), myrrh came to symbolize holiness, consecration, and the irrevocable claims of Yahweh on His covenant community.

Royal and Festal Symbolism

Myrrh also marked the joy and dignity of kingship. Psalm 45:8 addresses the Messianic Bridegroom: “All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.” In the Ancient Near Eastern court, perfuming robes with myrrh announced regal presence; in the psalm it prefigures the eternal reign of Messiah. Singer-kings like Solomon carried this scent into feasts: “Who is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense?” (Song of Songs 3:6). Every plume of fragrance witnesses that the True King brings rest, prosperity, and celebration to His people.

Wisdom Literature and Moral Contrast

Proverbs contrasts lawful marital delight with illicit seduction. The adulteress entices, “I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh” (Proverbs 7:17). The same spice that honors covenant love in the Song is here twisted to camouflage sin. Thus myrrh serves as a moral litmus: it can adorn purity or mask corruption, calling the reader to discernment.

Covenant Love and Christological Typology

In the Song of Songs, myrrh saturates bridal imagery (Song of Songs 1:13; 4:6; 4:14; 5:1; 5:5; 5:13). The bride cherishes a sachet of myrrh resting “between my breasts” (1:13), an emblem of intimacy and perpetual remembrance of her beloved. The beloved’s hands “dripped with myrrh” as he reached through the lattice (5:5), portraying eager self-giving. Christian interpreters see here a foreshadowing of Christ, whose love was displayed supremely at the cross where He was offered wine mixed with myrrh (Mark 15:23) and whose body was wrapped in “a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds” (John 19:39). The bridegroom of the Song thus anticipates the suffering yet fragrant Savior, who through death becomes “a pleasing aroma to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

Prophetic and Eschatological Echoes

Isaiah 60 envisions nations streaming to Zion bearing “gold and frankincense,” implicitly including myrrh in that triad of royal tribute. Matthew records Gentile magi opening their treasures of “gold, frankincense, and myrrh” before the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:11), confirming Him as the King-Priest foreshadowed in Exodus and Psalms. Revelation 18:13 lists myrrh among the luxuries of Babylon doomed to perish, underscoring that all earthly glory fades unless devoted to the Lamb.

Practical Ministry Reflections

1. Worship: The Exodus anointing oil urges churches to guard the purity of worship, refusing to treat the presence of God casually.
2. Suffering: Myrrh’s natural bitterness joined to its fragrance reminds believers that trials, rightly received, spread the aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14-15).
3. Evangelism: Just as myrrh drew seekers in Song of Songs 3:6, the testimony of a consecrated life attracts the lost to inquire about the hope within.
4. Marriage and Family: Myrrh’s dual use (Song vs. Proverbs) calls couples to holiness in intimacy and warns against counterfeit pleasures.

Key Texts for Study

Exodus 30:22–33 – Sacred anointing oil.

Esther 2:12 – Myrrh in royal beauty preparations.

Psalm 45:6–9 – Messianic kingship and fragrant garments.

Proverbs 7:17 – Myrrh misused in seduction.

Song of Songs 1:13; 5:5 – Covenant love drenched in myrrh.

John 19:39 – Burial of Jesus with myrrh and aloes.

Myrrh’s scriptural trajectory—holiness, royalty, intimate love, sacrificial death—culminates in Jesus Christ, whose fragrant offering secures eternal fellowship with God and calls His people to live as a sweet aroma in the world.

הַמֹּ֔ר הַמֹּ֤ר ׀ הַמּ֔וֹר המור המר מ֗וֹר מ֣וֹר מ֥וֹר מָר־ מֹ֚ר מֹ֥ר מֹר־ מוֹר֙ מוֹרִי֙ מור מורי מר מר־ ham·mō·wr ham·mōr hamMor hammōr hammōwr mār- mō·w·rî mō·wr mor mōr mōr- moRi mōwr mōwrîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts