emblem of any small insignificant object. It is not mentioned in the Old
Testament; and in each of the three instances of its occurrence in the New
Testament (Matthew 13:31, 32; Mark 4:31, 32; Luke 13:18, 19) it is
spoken of only with reference to the smallness of its seed. The common
mustard of Palestine is the Sinapis nigra. This garden herb sometimes
grows to a considerable height, so as to be spoken of as “a tree” as
compared with garden herbs.
- MUTH-LABBEN occurring only in the title of Psalm 9. Some interpret
the words as meaning “on the death of Labben,” some unknown person.
Others render the word, “on the death of the son;” i.e., of Absalom (2
Samuel 18:33). Others again have taken the word as the name of a musical
instrument, or as the name of an air to which the psalm was sung. - MUZZLE Grain in the East is usually thrashed by the sheaves being
spread out on a floor, over which oxen and cattle are driven to and fro, till
the grain is trodden out. Moses ordained that the ox was not to be muzzled
while thrashing. It was to be allowed to eat both the grain and the straw
(Deuteronomy 25:4). (See AGRICULTURE.) - MYRA one of the chief towns of Lycia, in Asia Minor, about 2 1/2 miles
from the coast (Acts 27:5). Here Paul removed from the Adramyttian ship
in which he had sailed from Caesarea, and entered into the Alexandrian
ship, which was afterwards wrecked at Melita (27:39-44). - MYRRH Hebrews mor. (1.) First mentioned as a principal ingredient in
the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:23). It formed part of the gifts brought
by the wise men from the east, who came to worship the infant Jesus
(Matthew 2:11). It was used in embalming (John 19:39), also as a perfume
(Esther 2:12; Psalm 45:8; Proverbs 7:17). It was a custom of the Jews to
give those who were condemned to death by crucifixion “wine mingled
with myrrh” to produce insensibility. This drugged wine was probably
partaken of by the two malefactors, but when the Roman soldiers pressed
it upon Jesus “he received it not” (Mark 15:23). (See GALL.)
This was the gum or viscid white liquid which flows from a tree resembling
the acacia, found in Africa and Arabia, the Balsamodendron myrrha of
botanists. The “bundle of myrrh” in Cant. 1:13 is rather a “bag” of myrrh
or a scent-bag.