"arbor thurifera, the tree producing frankincense, growing in Arabia and Mount Lebanon; in NT frankincense, the transparent gum that distils from incisions in the tree, Mt. 2:11; Rev. 18:13*"
Definition and meaning
arbor thurifera, the tree producing frankincense, growing in Arabia and Mount Lebanon; in NT frankincense, the transparent gum that distils from incisions in the tree, Mt. 2:11; Rev. 18:13*
In the original Greek the word is written: λίβανος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of libanos (G3030) across the King James Bible.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
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Common questions
Strong's G3030 (libanos) is a Greek word that means: arbor thurifera, the tree producing frankincense, growing in Arabia and Mount Lebanon; in NT frankincense, the transparent gum that distils from incisions in the tree, Mt. 2:11; Rev. 18:13* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word libanos (G3030) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3030 is libanos, a Greek word defined as: arbor thurifera, the tree producing frankincense, growing in Arabia and Mount Lebanon; in NT frankincense, the transparent gum that distils from incis. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
libanos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.