The Biblical Myrrha is African

Family - If you look into the Bantu languages and treat them as a living person, just like getting to know someone and as you start getting familiar with them, you will find there are many hidden treasures. Things you did not know about them start to appear. Things you never even imagined come to light. You can regard these things as Character traits, and just as a human being has character traits you will also find this phenomenon inside any language. I would say Especially the Bantu languages. And not only are there remnants of Biblical character traits inside and carried over in the Nguni languages from our Scriptures (especially) in the Gospel stories. But also in other Southern Bantu languages, like those from the areas like that of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Mozambique (Rhonga) and Zimbabwe (Ndebele/Lemba and many others). There are many interesting words, not in use any more in normal conversation. But the elders, they remember and they know these words. Like the word for Medicine in Tsonga, which is pronounced something like Mhuu-Rii - Murrhi or Myrreh. This is talking about the Tsonga culture that has over time developed in Mozambique and other areas in and around Limpopo, where the Commiphora Africana - The Myrrah Tree - grows freely. Remember to distinguish between the Commiphora Africana and Commiphora Myrrha, as the Myrrha tree is said to not be indigenous to Africa, but the Africana species is. Having the one tree called Myrrha ONLY found in the Somalian regions and around Horn of Africa. Because thats the real Myrrha, right? Little details like this that hides the truth in plain site. The so-called africana myrrha grows and is indigenous to vast parts of Southern Africa, but Myrrha is not indigenous to Africa - this is what they say. Like its true. Anyways, semantics and examples like this there are just too many of, let us change that. African Myrrha is the REAL Biblical Myrrha. And it is actually a word used by Bantu people. A tree that is known for being medicine. Myrreh or pronounced Mooorri. Now go and grow this plant and use it !!!!

The Original African Myrrh Tree. The Biblical one, that preserved and healed Christ´s body.

Now both the Tsonga and some Venda (Lemba) tribes, that use variations of Myrrhe when describing something that is regarded as Medicine - both have connections with tribe of Levi AND furthermore they had and have ancient healing protocols and herbal medicines, that stretches back to Biblical times. The same remedies were used by ancient Egyptians (in Southern Africa) in their embalming rituals, for the body not to decay in the same manner as it will if left unattended. It rots quickly if no measures are taken. The same ritual style and practise that was used for Christ when He was being prepared, after the impalement had taken place and He was taken to the Cave of His ancestors.

An Egyptian carving from a Temple in Northern Egypt on Afterlife and Judgement

Now the Egyptians knew A LOT about the afterlife. Now in saying that, we are not at all implying that WHAT the Ancient Egyptians knew and perceived about the life after this was all correct, we are talking about their understanding about certain things. Certain things we find reflected in our Bibles. Protocols and medicines, herbal and human. And just the fact that they at the very least admitted that there is indeed such a thing as an afterlife. Modern science will just hint at it, that there might be something but we do not know. We cant measure it, therefore we do not know. Not only is there something after this life - but even how you are buried will increase the likelihood of a "smoother transition" for you when you leave this earth. How bout that, let us try to understand what a person would want a "smoother transition" for and why the Egyptians put so much effort into it. Is there not wisdom in understanding this? Of course there is. Could it be that this life is not all that there is? The fact is, there is just so so much more too this earth and us - that we do not understand. And we as a people should be preparing for that, all of us, for a better understanding of what awaits us in the hereafter - while here on earth. Earth is only temporary after all.

Another AI created image, by prompts. Nicodemus and Immanuel sitting on the rooftop of the inner room, or the most sacred house (inside the isibaya) in the village (izindlu). One can imagine Nicodemus face after Christ had told him that he must be born again.

Now these two men, with great knowledge of such ancient healing protocols, and experts in the Hebrew ones for sure, it was Joseph of Arimathea with the Pharisee and Jerusalem Temple official Nicodemus, that carefully prepared Christs body after He had passed. They would have witnessed His passing, they would have seen the Temple Curtain rip, the veil was removed, earthquakes, rocks spilt and the tombs of the saints opening - events that would have been happening close to His tomb and Jerusalem. They witnessed this.

A rendered AI image of what Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea may have looked like, with Msindisi wrapped in what was considered a mans weight in Aloe and Myrrh resin. There are scholars that actually will argue, that Aloe was agarwood (found more frequently in the Levant), another claim that for them will geographically makes sense, but in terms of usage and historical precedence (like in Egypt) - The Promised lands being close to where Myrrha grows in the countryside - makes no sense.

Now according to the Gospel of John a certain secret Disciple, which later on is revealed to be Joseph, requested permission from the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate to bury Immanuel. Permission was granted, and bury Him is what they indeed did. Using levels of Myrrha that was considered unheard off as it was very expensive. But that did not faze these men, they knew Who this was. They saw the whole thing do down. They wrapped His body into something like 100 pounds (45kgs) of a mixture of Myrrh resin and aloe sap with leaves. An amount that is likely 5 times more then usual (various sources). The same odours mix we find writings of in Ancient Egypt, both upper and lower Egypt (Pathros). And these protocols where the well known Hebrew burial customs, that we will look further into below. Note that they are similar to the old Egyptian burial customs, although and more recent customs in Egypt are indeed very different ways of preserving the body. As we shall see.

Now in ancient Egypt there are Papyrus describing both Aloe and Myrrh being used in the embalming process. And Historical sources for this statement are found in Herodotus and Histories II, where we find descriptions of the Egyptians embalming:

... Filled with the purest myrrh, with cassia, and every other sort of spicery except frankincense.

We can find more in Pliny the Elder and Naturalis Historia XII & XIII, here book XII covers the origin of Myrrh being in Ethiopia (which is the ancient name for Africa as a whole). We can find snippets such as Acervatim congesta honori cadaverum, which reads, spices heaped for the honour of corpses. It goes on to describe in great detail how corpses were smeared with "delicious liniments" and fragrant balsams with aromas the burned over them. If we go further back, and read the Ebers Papyrus, from some very old Egyptian texts, it has of 12 Aloe-based medical formulas. It is even called the plant of immortality, used for mummification. The Egyptians knew and the ancient Hebrews knew. Going even further back and to likely the Pathros times of ancient Egypt (when Egypt was also in southern Africa). If we read these ancient sources, we can read from the Sahura relief (Mortuary Temple in Abusir) a certain Pharaoh tending a Myrrh tree in his own palace garden. Imported from Punt. Havilah, the place of Gold - South Eastern Africa. Gau Gau, Gold Gold - Yes one and the same.

Image of Myrrh branches and Myrrh resin.

So then Myrrh and Aloe was used in Egyptian embalming processes, the odours mix preserved the body and they put/wrapped the linen unto their bodies. And so ingrained was the use of Aloe that is was expected for funeral guests to bring Aloe as a tribute. Aloe is antibacterial by nature and combined with Myrrh we get a sort of sealant that chases away decay and insects. Get your mind going here a little bit, for his body was gone, remember... And before you start saying this is only meant to be understood in a spiritual manner. Where did His body go? Why was there no remains of him?

Christ showing Himself to the three women that came to tend to His body. He had Risen. AI generated image. We took liberties with this one. Please forgive.

So starting to imagine things and letting your mind move towards the miraculous - knowing very well we live in a world of Strict order. Natural order, if you will. Flowers bloom only in their right season, virgins do not give birth and a person that dies does not come back from the dead. Remember such things when you are thinking about how this man was healed. I am just setting the scene of what Mary Magdalena, Mary mother of James, and Salome which is used in some texts, (Salome in Sotho is something that bites) and or Ioanna (Joanna) - saw that He had indeed risen. Back from the dead. A man fully healed, without blemish and wrapped out (if you will) of his previously wrapped (mummy style) linen cloth. His linens were folded on the side of where He had laid. They saw Him, although His wounds was said to still be in his hands and feat (maybe not healed yet) they were still there, but He was indeed fully healed. He had Risen. Must have been quite the sight for these women.

Rituals & Protocolls

Now - if you look into the ancient Hebrew burial custom, there was a focus on immediate action, within 24hours to prevent decay and maintain the purity. The Egyptians on the other hand had a prolonged more detailed 70 day long embalming and drying out process, for the body be able to `make it over` to the other side. But we ask again, why did Christ Body disappear and we can still find mummucifacfted and dried up bodies to this day? It is a good question. Were did His body go? Did it renew? Did it Heal?

This is an example of a Sarcophagi, a flesh eating chest, with something that looks like Seraphim (or Fallen angels) on the outside. This is an AI image made by us, but the coffin exist and is real. So, if you look into the word for coffin (Sarcophagi or directly translated the flesh eater - you will find the greek SARC - σάρξ (Flesh) and PHAGUS - φαγεῖν (which means to eat) - Flesh-Eater. The oldest one of these are from 2600 years before Christ. An old old tradition.

Now the Ancient Hebrews did not use the traditional coffins, but used family tombs or caves cut and hewn from mountain rock. The Egyptians used elaborate sarcophagi (or coffins if you will) and practised a process of mummification as a religious complete necessity for the recognition of the soul (ka). The modern methods of preventing decay at the undertaker is strikingly similar to the ancient Egyptians. Different methods and chemicals but in essence very similar. Now instead of a humble cave, the Egyptians had monumental tombs filled with goods in the grave (furniture, food, adornments, various amulets for protection, etc) to make sure the person that had passed on had status and his or her needs meet in the afterlife. Furthermore, the ancient Hebrews saw the burial as a family and community event, without priests or religious rites, and the grave was viewed as an unclean place for a person to linger around. Unlcean spirits hang around such places. The Egyptian burials were quite the opposite, with priests humming with magic spells and loud reads from the book of the dead, to help the souls journey. Read that last part, and go to your next funeral. At any church. Come back here, and keep reading, and remember you closed your prayers to Amen (-ra), several times while in church. Egyptians customs, even Egyptians songs, yes thats a deeper one, most of our modern church music is Egyptian in its origin.... Not ancient Hebraic tunes from the land of Promise on the continent. If time we will make an article on this.

Now - Back to burial customs, it is only in the instance of Jacob and Joseph that their bodies were embalmed and placed in Egyptian coffins (sarcophagi) and transported back to Kanaan. Now these Hebrew preparations might even have been influenced in Egypt or visa versa - as we do see that Jacob and Joseph had their bodies being processed there.

Ancient Egyptians undergoing embalming ritual. Made with Google Gemini.

However, the ancient Hebrews used this process to mask odours and heal the body. The Egyptians used a more complex chemical preservation technique to make sure the body stayed in its full physical integrity for ever (for all eternity). A 70-day ritual by removing moisture and organs. The procedure itself varied greatly by the social status of the individual, with something called excerebration (removing of the brain through the nose) and evisceration (removal of guts and everything else except the heart).

AI edited image from a Temple in Lower (Northern) Egypt.

So for the Elite and uttermost Upper Class Egyptians, they would undergo brain removal through the nostril (heart left alone as it was the seat of intelligence, organ extraction (incision on the left side with removal of liver, lungs, stomach and intestines), cavity treatment being the emptied chest filled with Palm wine and spices and packed with Myrrha and Cassia, then Dehydration were body was covered internally and externally with natron (salt mixture) for 35-70 days for desiccating of the flesh, lastly the body was wrapped washing off the natron and anointing the body with oils and resins stuffed with linen or sawdust for shape. Wrapped in hundreds of layers of linen bandages with protective amulets. Quite the complex protocol. This was for the Pharaoh and important people (people of status). If they could not afford a full evisceration they would inject cedar oil (or others like animal fats, resins, beeswax and plant oils) into the body to make the organs liquid then draining it out with the salt mixture (natron). All to try to inhibit bacteria.

Now that, is quite the process. All in the name of preservation and prevention of decay. And not for this world, but for the next. How did the Egyptians know that this, which is the theme for the ancient Hebrews themselves, too preserve the body or make such efforts in making sure the body is well equipped for the hereafter. We will make a conjecture here, because they knew. Or at least, they knew a little - which is way more then can be said today. Today there is not even acknowledgement of the afterlife. No focus on your heritage in the world(s) and Kingdoms that are outside this one. In my Fathers House there are many rooms... What could He be talking about... Inner rooms, outer rooms..

Myrrha in Scripture

Scriptures that mention Myrrh and its uses are many. And in Exodus we see mentions of this magic resin for the first time as the renowned Anointing Oil made later for people like King David (Exodus 30,23):

23 “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 24 500 shekels of cassia all according to the sanctuary shekel, and a hin of olive oil.

A recipe that many has tried to make but few know how to make properly. We think at least one of these spices are mistranslated (and geographically not found in Southern Africa). We see here that there was 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, which gives an idea of the amount of Myrrh needed. We can find more in the burial of King Asa (II Chronicles 16,14):

14 They buried him in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes, and they made a huge fire in his honour".

So a fire cleanses many things, and was the sight at King Asas burial. No direct mention of Myrrh, but we can assume it was there, continuing the customs set in place by Aaron and Moses. In Psalm 45:8 we can find this:

"All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;  from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad".

Here we can see that Myrrh was historically favour as not only an embalming tool, but also used as perfume. Now lets get Back on track, because we are still talking about Myrrha and connecting it to Tsonga and Limpopo. Just a short look at the plant Myrrha itself. So there can be no confusion that this is indeed the plant that was used in Biblical Times, it is called Commiphora Africana - or as the scholars wants it labelled African Myrrh. It is found widely in Sub-Sahara Africa, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, but also further north and closer to the Sahara like Burkina Faso, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Sudan and Somalia.

Commiphora Africana - Myrreh Tree in Limpopo South Africa

Now this tree, the Cannot Die Tree or Kanniedood according to the Afrikaaner farmers. This ability to not die does have something to do with its extreme sensitivity to humidity. It will expand its leafy buds at first hint of moisture and will remain green during the rains. It gives off an orange colour in its leaves JUST BEFORE heavy rains. So many farmers, in dryer areas of Southern Africa like Kenya and Mozambique use this tree as their indicator or rain coming. And as the rain subsides and the we season comes to an end, the foliage changes again to a golden hue. The men of the Sahel desert use this leaf as finding areas for their herd to graze. Promise of rain or drought can be read into the leafs of this plant. And it comes with its own lore whatever culture or tradition you consult. Be that Egyptian or Hebrew, the lore will mostly say the same. Holy plant. The plant itself is rather spiny and can get up to 5-8m tall. There are many genuses found within the commiphora, so the Biblical Myrrha may not always be easy to spot. The scent and smell of leaves and bark usually gives it away. The sap from incisions made in the bark is what gives the "blood" of this tree, full of terpenoids, bitter and aromatic. A healer of the highest rank.

Medicinal Use of Myrrha

Now when it comes to its medicinal usage, it is hard to know what this plant does not see fit to heal. It is anti-inflammatory, which already covers a wide range of so-called auto-immune diseases and others. Most of them Myrrha will heal. However, there are even results this plant can heal Typhoid fever, its bark can cure and heal malaria, will help quell convulsion and used WIDELY for covering and disinfecting wounds. Further more there are reports of it being used against syphilis and even the old school leprosy. Used widely as an antiseptic and even toothpowder (mouthwash) for gingivitis conditions, furthermore chronic bronchitis, digestion, reproductive disorders, wounds and abrasions, boils and skin lesions, and in Limpopo it is used traditionally for snake bites and even as a perfume. The list is endless. And when you burn the resin it is perfect for keeping insects away, the scent when burned was also known as an aphrodisiac. The wood is also prised and used as utensils, musical instruments (Davids harp was possibly made out of dried out Myrrha wood) and the oil is actually edible. Very strong fungicidal properties.

Myrrha was a marvellous commodity in the ancient world, used for perfume and incense all over Africa. It also repelled insects, and as we have seen used widely for various rituals and these aforementioned embalming rituals. The Egyptians even called it the plant of immortality. Now in closing - If you are a dreamer, try this, get this plant inside of you somehow either ingesting or putting on skin. Write down your dreams that week. You will be surprised how well the so-called physical and spiritual are connected, healthy body will often help to guide the spirit. Bridge the gap...if it is wide.

SoNiNi unathi