Matt. 2:11 They opened their bags and presented him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold The Hebrew word is "Zahav", which means gold, or gold colored oil. Is Mathew referring to gold, as in a metal? Or, to a gold colored oil, as found in Zechariah 4:11-14, which reads; What are those two olive trees on the right and left sides of the Menorah? Then I asked the question again: "What are those two olive branches discharging "gold colored oil" through the two gold spouts"? He replied, "Don't you know what they are"? I answered, "No, my lord." He said, "Those are the two who have been anointed with oil; they are standing with the Lord of all the land." The Menorah which stood in the Sanctuary, was made of pure gold, the bowls upon the Menorah were filled with the first fruits of olive oil, which is a gold colored oil, used as a fuel for the lamps. Olive oil is quite unique among all the fatty oils. It is the only oil of its class that is also an essential oil, as long as it is of the first fruits (extra virgin). Olive oil (first fruits) was to be mixed with the essences of aromatic oils for use in the acts of anointing; consecrating the Tent of Meeting and those that minister therein. As can be seen in Exodus 30:23-38. Anointing oil was used for the ritual anointing of the high priest in the Temple (Lev 8:12). Frankincense, myrrh and first fruit olive oil, were highly priced, along with the other oils, they were kept in the Temple treasury (I Chron 9:29). Belief was wide spread that the redeemer of Israel also would be anointed with oil. The word "anoint" in Hebrew is "Mashiach", to anoint, to consecrate. A person designated by God for a special status or role. Israel's kings were anointed with oil (1 Sam 16:1-13), as were Israel's high priest (Lev 8:1-13). Anointed with oil is synonymous with "sons of oil" (Zech 4:14). The word for Messiah (Christ) is also "Mashiach", but also as a title, “The Anointed One”. Yeshua (Jesus') name even gives way to what he would do. Mt 1:21 you are to name him Yeshua, (Gods salvation), because he will Yeshuah (save, ransom) his people from their sins. His very name points us to him. His lifestyle proved he is the Messiah, The Anointed One of God. Oil was regarded as a symbol of honor (Judg. 9:9), Joy (Ps. 45:8), and favor (Deut 33:24, Ps.23:5). Oil is synonymous with the act of anointing. Frankincense The Hebrew word is "Levona", which means, a white resin, to purify, white. Frankincense is the chief ingredient of the Temple incense (Ex. 30:34-38). It is mentioned a number of times among the treasures of the Temple (Neh. 13:5, I Chron 9:29). It was burnt with the sacrifice of grain offering (Lev 2:1), and placed upon the rows of showbread (Lev 24:7). Frankincense and olive oil was to be withheld in any offerings of wrongdoing. Myrrh The Hebrew word is "Mor", which means, myrrh as a resin, a drop, as a pearl. Bitter, bitterness. Myrrh is first mentioned along with the ingredients from which the holy anointing oil in the Tabernacle was prepared (Ex 30:22:33), where it is called "mor deror," i.e., myrrh congealed to form granules (deror from dar, "pearl") and then dissolved in olive oil. The king's garments were perfumed with myrrh (Ps. 45:9 (8). So why did the wise men give gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Yeshua? To arrive at a conclusion, lets dig yet deeper. Priest of Israel Yeshua is the forerunner who has entered on our behalf, who has become a High Priest forever, to be compared with Melchizedek, (Malki-Tzedek "Righteous King"). (Gen 14:18-20, Heb 6:19-7:28) Malki-Tzedek was "king" of Shalem (which is another name for Jerusalem), and a "priest" of God Most High. Malki-Tzedek was a king and priest, a righteous king and king of peace. No where in the Bible, (except with Malki-Tzedek) will you find a king of Israel serving in the office of high priest, nor a priest serving in the office of king. These were two distinct offices. In the book of Hebrews it becomes clear that a “different kind of priest,” one like Malki-Tzedek shall arise, one who became a priest not by virtue of a rule in the Torah concerning a physical descent, but rather by virtue of the power of an indestructible life, as it is stated in Psalms 110:4 The LORD GOD has sworn it, and HE will not retract; "You are a priest forever, to be compared with Malki-Tzedek." The priest in the Torah, (by a physical descent) first had to offer up sacrifice to atone for their own sins, before they could offer up sacrifices for the people. I Sam 15:22, Does The LORD take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying what The LORD says? Surely obeying is better than sacrifice, and heeding orders than the fat of rams. Obedience to The LORD our God is a pleasing aroma. Yeshua offered himself up, as the lamb of God, a pure and sinless sacrifice for the redemption of all humanities sins. Free of sin himself, Yeshua's sacrifice was pure! Kings of Israel I Sam 16:1,12,13, God said to Samuel, fill your horn with oil, and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, because I have chosen myself a king from among his sons (a physical descendant). We see that it was David from the tribe of Judah that was chosen by God, to be king. And in, II Sam 7:1-14, David wants to build a house for God. But God tells David, through the prophet Nathan, that God will make (David) a house. That God will establish one of David's descendants to succeed him, one of his own flesh and blood; and God will set his kingdom firm. It is he (the son of David), that will build a house (Temple) for HIS NAME, and God will establish his royal throne forever, and God will be a Father for him, and he will be a son for God. God would build David a house! It is through Yeshua, the descendant of David of the tribe of Judah, that God would build HIS house, bearing HIS NAME. A house that will not decay, or be destroyed by the hands of man. Where the light would shine forever. Where night does not exist, neither light of a lamp, nor the light of the sun, because The LORD GOD will be its light (Rev 22:5). Anointing of kings and priests Anointing of kings and priests is synonymous with the imparting of the Divine blessing. It is no surprise that the wise men, learned sages of Gods word, driven by His Spirit, gave the perfect gift to the newborn King of the Jews. It is Zech 4:11-14 that concurs, two branches, a King and a High Priest, (sons of oil), two anointings, in one unique person, Yeshua, "The Mashiach," The Anointed One of God! The offering given Yeshua at his birth was to signify Divine commission.