Biblical significance of the gifts given to Jesus Is there any spiritual significance to the gifts the Magi brought – Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh – after they were led by a “star” to Bethlehem where they worshiped the young child Jesus?  Why would this caravan of astronomers present expensive gifts to Joseph, Mary and their young child unless they were aware of the significance of his birth?  Here is the biblical background information:

Matthew 2:1-6: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews?  For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him.  After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.  “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet:  ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”


Matthew 2:7-12: Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.”  After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was.  When they saw the star they shouted joyfully.  As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country.

I realise there are different traditions surrounding this advent, but what I’m looking for is biblical references to the significance of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Also, I would like to know if there are any Christian references (from old hymns, for example) that suggest the spiritual significance of these expensive gifts that were presented to the infant king.
Biblical References to Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh:
Gold is a highly valued commodity – not just for its beauty and use in jewellery and decorations, but also for its status.  The Bible describes the wealth of King Solomon and how the Queen of Sheba gave Solomon 120 talents of gold (about 4 tons).  Solomon also received 666 talents of gold every year – that’s 22.5 tons of the stuff!  Check out 1 Kings 10:10, 14 and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12.  In the Bible, gold is a symbol of royal status and of kingship.
Frankincense is a very expensive aromatic resin used in incense and in perfumes.  It comes from the Boswellia tree which is found in India, Somalia and Ethiopia and in the Middle East.  In today’s currency, 15 ml. of the oil would cost about $90.  This exotic ingredient may have been used by the priests in temple worship in Jerusalem (see Exodus 30:1, 7-9; 40:5).  My NIV Study Bible notes that the fragrant smoke of the incense symbolised the prayers of God’s people.  Revelation 5:8 says the golden bowls full of incense are the prayers of the saints.
Myrrh is an aromatic resin which comes from various shrubs widely used in the ancient Near East.  It was used by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans as perfume, as incense, and for medicinal purposes.  It was also used in royal (2 Chronicles 16:14) and Jewish burials.  Nicodemus brought a large quantity of myrrh and aloes and spices and cloths in which to wrap Jesus’ body (John 19:39).  No expense was spared for this royal burial.
Is there any spiritual significance to the gifts the Magi brought?  Returning to Matthew 2:7-12, we see how the magi bestowed honour and status upon the child as implied by the value of the gifts they presented.  It is possible that the gold, frankincense and myrrh were chosen for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his kingship, frankincense a symbol of his priestly role, and myrrh a prefiguring of his death and embalming.  After all, there was nothing accidental in the time, the place and the manner of the birth of Jesus, and in the arrival of the magi who were searching for this new-born king.  Their gifts were not accidental, either.
Christian references to the symbolic meaning behind the gifts: Coincidentally, an old hymn was played at yesterday’s church service.  It is attributed to John H. Hopkins (1820-1891):

We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we travel afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.


Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again; King forever ceasing never, over us all to reign.


Frankincense for Jesus have I, God on earth yet Priest on high; prayer and praising all men raising, worship is earth’s reply.


Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume tells of death and Calvary’s gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in a stone cold tomb.


Glorious now, behold Him arise, King and God, and sacrifice!  Heaven sings out ‘Alleluia!’, ‘Amen!’ the earth replies.

No doubt there are earlier Christian references to the symbolism of the gifts, but this one puts it beautifully.