מֹר (mor)
mor
myrrh
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word mor refers to myrrh, a fragrant resin harvested from the bark of trees native to Arabia. In the biblical text, it is consistently identified as a valuable substance used for making perfumes and sacred anointing oils. Its presence in Scripture signals something precious, often associated with royalty or divine consecration.
While it appears in legal texts like Exodus 30:23 as a key ingredient in the holy anointing oil, mor is most frequently linked to intimate human love in Song of Solomon and wisdom literature in Proverbs. The sources highlight its use in these poetic contexts to describe the beloved’s scent or the richness of a gift, emphasizing its role as a symbol of affection and high status rather than just a commodity.
Translators typically render mor simply as "myrrh," preserving the specific identity of the spice because its cultural weight is tied to its rarity. The word does not carry abstract theological metaphors in these passages; instead, it grounds the text in the tangible reality of ancient trade and sensory experience, reminding readers that holiness and love were often expressed through the most expensive materials available.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Myrrh was one of the most precious substances in the ancient world, reserved for sacred anointing oils and intimate moments of affection. When Scripture mentions this fragrant resin, it points to something rare and valuable, often connected with royalty or deep love. In Exodus, it forms part of the holy oil set apart for God’s service, showing that holiness involves costly dedication. In the Song of Solomon, it becomes a symbol of cherished intimacy, where lovers use its scent to express their deep bond.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God values the best we can offer. Just as myrrh was carefully gathered and preserved, our devotion is meant to be sincere and precious. It also highlights the beauty of human relationships, showing that love and affection are gifts from God, worthy of celebration. Whether in worship or personal connection, myrrh teaches us to honor what is truly valuable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- myrrh6×
- <the>/ myrrh3×
- myrrh/ my1×
- myrrh of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מוֹרִ/י֙1×
- מוֹר֙1×
- מֹ֥ר1×
- מֹ֚ר1×
- מָר\־1×
- מ֥וֹר1×
- מ֣וֹר1×
- מ֗וֹר1×
- הַ/מֹּ֤ר\׀1×
- הַ/מֹּ֔ר1×
- הַ/מּ֔וֹר1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 30:23
“Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels; and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty; and of fragrant cane, two hundred and fifty;
This verse establishes myrrh as a key ingredient in the holy anointing oil, linking it directly to divine consecration and sacred service.
-
Song of Solomon 1:13
My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh, that lies between my breasts.
Here, the beloved is compared to a sachet of myrrh, using the spice’s rich scent to symbolize intimate affection and cherished closeness.
-
Song of Solomon 5:5
I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.
The image of hands dripping with liquid myrrh while opening for the beloved emphasizes the tangible, sensory depth of romantic love and readiness.