לְבֹנָה (le.vo.nah)
le.vo.nah
frankincense
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 20 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun lebonah refers to frankincense, a white resin harvested from trees in Arabia and Palestine. Its name derives from the Hebrew word for "white," likely describing the pale color of the purest resin or the light hue of its smoke when burned. In Scripture, this fragrant material serves as both a personal luxury and a sacred offering, appearing in contexts ranging from royal processions to temple rituals.
Its most significant role is in the composition of the holy incense prescribed for the tabernacle and later the temple. Leviticus 2:1 and Exodus 30:34 mandate that frankincense be mixed with other spices to create a blend used exclusively for altar worship. This usage highlights its value as a symbol of prayer and devotion, distinct from common perfumes.
Translators consistently render lebonah as "frankincense" or simply "incense," preserving its identity as a specific aromatic substance rather than a generic term for burning offerings. The sources note its presence in poetic texts like Song of Solomon 4:6, where it evokes imagery of beauty and richness, while prophetic books like Jeremiah 6:20 use it to illustrate the futility of empty ritual when disconnected from true obedience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Frankincense is a precious resin that releases a sweet smoke when burned. In ancient times, this scent filled the temple and marked moments of deep reverence. When we see it in Scripture, it reminds us that our prayers are meant to rise gently toward God, carrying our gratitude and trust with them.
This material was not just for show; it was part of a specific blend made for worship. It teaches us that devotion requires care and intention. We do not offer random gestures but bring our hearts with the same seriousness as those who prepared the holy incense.
Even when rituals felt empty to the prophets, the value of sincere prayer remained. God desires our honest presence more than perfect performance. Let this image encourage you to bring your quiet moments before Him, knowing He receives them with grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 20 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- frankincense8×
- and/ frankincense5×
- frankincense/ its2×
- and/ the/ frankincense2×
- with/ frankincense1×
- the/ frankincense1×
- <the>/ frankincense1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְבֹנָתָ֑/הּ2×
- לְבֹנָ֔ה2×
- וּ/לְבוֹנָה֙2×
- לְבוֹנָה֙1×
- לְבוֹנָ֑ה1×
- לְבֹנָֽה\׃1×
- לְבֹנָ֣ה1×
- לְבֹנָ֖ה1×
- לְבֹנָ֑ה1×
- וּ/לְבוֹנָ֔ה1×
- וּ/לְבוֹנָ֑ה1×
- וּ/לְבֹנָ֣ה1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 30:34
Yahweh said to Moses, “Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, onycha, and galbanum: sweet spices with pure frankincense. There shall be an equal weight of each.
This verse establishes the exact formula for holy incense, showing that worship requires specific obedience rather than casual improvisation.
-
Leviticus 2:15
You shall put oil on it and lay frankincense on it. It is a meal offering.
The command to lay frankincense on the grain offering highlights how physical elements serve as a memorial before God.
-
Isaiah 60:6
A multitude of camels will cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah. All from Sheba will come. They will bring gold and frankincense, and will proclaim the praises of Yahweh.
Here frankincense represents the future hope of nations bringing their best gifts to acknowledge Yahweh's glory.
-
Jeremiah 6:20
To what purpose does frankincense from Sheba come to me, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.”
God rejects this costly offering when it is disconnected from a heart that truly seeks Him, warning against empty ritual.