2007-11-02 15:46:29 · 16 answers · asked by LOl 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Bible itself gives us no names for these men, but pious custom has given us the names of Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar as the names of the three wise men.
Their gifts are symbolic for these reasons. Gold was the gift given to royalty and so it represents the fact of Jesus as king in the line of David and king of the world and our hearts. The gift of frankincense represents the fact of Jesus' divinity, since incense was and is used primarily in the worship of God. Finally, myrrh looks ahead to the death of Jesus, as myrrh was used for the anointing of the bodies of the dead.
2007-11-02 15:52:38 · answer #1 · answered by Jude & Cristen H 3 · 6⤊ 0⤋
After Jesus was born, wise men came to look for Him, from an area which is now in either Iran or Saudi Arabia. Although they are often called the "Three Kings", the Bible does not say how many there were, or that they were kings. Three is only a guess because they brought with them three gifts.
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
They were certainly men of learning - probably today we would call them philosophers or scientists. They had seen an unusual new star in the sky, and knew that it told of the birth of a special king. They followed the direction of the star- East - and eventually found the place where Mary, Joseph and Jesus were staying. To bring honour to the child, they brought rich gifts: gold, frankincense (a resin which burns with a beautiful smell), and myrrh (plant oil with a very strong sweet smell). These gifts tell us in pictures three key things about Jesus:
Gold: a gift fit for a King
Frankincense: burnt in worship of God
Myrrh: a sign of mortal human-ness - it was used to bury the dead
2007-11-02 15:56:32 · answer #2 · answered by dreamdress2 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
While the Bible does not name the wise men, or number them, the fact is they saw the sign that they are read about and decided to follow the Star. The Word of God becoming true. The gifts are symbolic for the life od Jesus: Gold-for Kings, Frankincense-fragrance used in worship, myrrh-used in preparing a body for burial.
2015-11-02 03:00:00 · answer #3 · answered by Shirlie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Three Wise Men Names
2016-10-01 23:26:19 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The names of the Magi are as uncertain as is their number. Among the Latins, from the seventh century, we find slight variants of the names, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar; the Martyrology mentions St. Gaspar, on the first, St. Melchior, on the sixth, and St. Balthasar, on the eleventh of January (Acta SS., I, 8, 323, 664). The Syrians have Larvandad, Hormisdas, Gushnasaph, etc.; the Armenians, Kagba, Badadilma, etc. (Cf. Acta Sanctorum, May, I
The Magi adored (prosekynesan) the Child as God, and offered Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The giving of gifts was in keeping with Oriental custom. The purpose of the gold is clear; the Child was poor. We do not know the purpose of the other gifts. The Magi probably meant no symbolism. The Fathers have found manifold and multiform symbolic meanings in the three gifts; it is not clear that any of these meanings are inspired (cf. Knabenbauer, "in Matth.", 1892).
2007-11-02 15:55:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The wise men were Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior.
The gifts they brought had spiritual significance.Myrrh was
a principal ingredient in the holy anointing oil, used when a priest was anointed for service { It was also used as a perfume, incense, medicine, ointment)and an embalming oil.
Frenkinscence was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary (Exodus 30:34), and was used as an accompaniment of the meat-offering (Leviticus 2:1,16; 6:15; 24:7). When burnt it emitted a fragrant odour, and hence the incense became a symbol of the Divine name.
Gold "gold" originates from the Sanskrit term meaning "to shine." It is the gift given to Kings.
2007-11-02 16:50:49 · answer #6 · answered by Eartha Q 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We only assume that there were three wise men because of the three gifts that were given: gold, incense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). However, the Bible does not say there were three wise men. There could have been many more. Tradition does seem to say that there were three wise men. There is a legend that their names were Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar – but since the Bible does not say, we have no way of knowing whether the tradition is accurate.
2007-11-02 15:51:47 · answer #7 · answered by Freedom 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
what were the three wise men's names? and what is the symbolism of their gifts(gold, myrrh, frankinscence)?
2015-08-06 11:52:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen to the Christmas carol "We Three Kings"- the gifts are explained there. Gold is a gift for an earthly king. Frankincense implies divinity, because it was commmonly used in temples. And myrrh was a costly spice used for anointing the dead, thereby signifying death.
2007-11-02 16:01:02 · answer #9 · answered by Amalthea 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have been "told" they had names. But I can't find any biblical evidence of what they were. I personally don't believe we know, nor need to. Else we'd have that specific info. The symbolism of the gifts is they were fit for a king. Jesus Christ is the King Of Kings. He is referred to as several other things. But that is the symbolism-he was the King Of Kings.
2007-11-02 15:53:43 · answer #10 · answered by paula r 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋