Bible Study on Gifts From Wise Men?

[Lamb]

Is there an online bible study about the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus?

 

[JRT]

Is there an online bible study about the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus?

I don't know of a specific site but my understanding is that the three gifts were symbolic in nature. Gold is symbolic of his earthly kingship. Frankincense is symbolic of his divine nature (it was used widely in Temple worship). Myrrh is symbolic of his human nature (it was used in burial preparation to anoint the body). There are problems with the story and its interpretation. There were three gifts but we are in no way certain that there were three Magi --- only that there was more than one. They are sometimes called kings or wise men. They were Magi, plural of Magus, and a Magus was a priest of the Zoroastrian faith centered in what is now modern day Iraq. They were certainly not "kings" and we can't even be certain that they were "wise". I regard this story as allegorical in nature and to be understood symbolically.

 

[tango]

An interesting theory I read some years ago was that they were resin traders.

It fits with the overall life of Jesus - resin traders didn't enjoy much social standing in the day (think used car salesmen today) which fits with his tendency to associate with those society didn't care for. It also fits with the gifts - frankincense and myrrh being their wares and gold being the proceeds from selling their wares.

It doesn't fit with the idea that they were granted an audience with King Herod - it's not easy to see the equivalent of some dodgy used car salesman being able to land an audience with the king these days.

 

[soul.]

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[Josiah]

Here's what I'VE heard.....

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