Seamus Hammond
Incense has been used for religious purposes in ancient Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East, and by followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity. The Bible mentions incense in several books, including Exodus, Leviticus, and Saint John's Revelation. While the burning of incense is generally considered a holy act of worship, the Bible also describes the wrong ways in which incense was used by God's people, leading to God's wrath. The use of incense by idol worshippers is specifically mentioned as displeasing to God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense is a divine command | God gave Moses and Aaron instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense |
| Burning incense is a holy act of worship | It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord |
| Burning incense is not necessary | It is no longer necessary to burn incense to approach God |
| Burning incense is a matter of conviction | Christians have the freedom to burn incense or not |
| Burning incense is linked to pagan religions | Christians who were saved out of paganism may struggle with using incense |
| Burning incense is a wholesome, faithful ritual | Burning incense during prayer and worship is an ancient Christian tradition |
| Burning incense is not wrong | God is happy that you are praying and worshipping him |
| Burning incense is a symbol of prayer | "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2) |
| Burning incense is a pleasing aroma to God | "You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar" (Exodus 30:9) |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is not mentioned in Scripture
While the use of incense is mentioned in the Bible, it is not specifically mentioned in Scripture. The burning of incense is a religious practice that dates back to ancient Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East. It has been used by various religious groups, including Buddhists, Hindus, and Jews.
In the Bible, incense is described as a holy act of worship, with specific instructions given by God to Moses and Aaron regarding the times, places, and methods of burning incense (Exodus 30). It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord (Exodus 30:8) and was considered a symbol of prayer (Psalm 141:2). However, the Bible also mentions that God was displeased when incense was offered by his people in the wrong way, such as when it was used for worshipping idols rather than God (Leviticus 10:1-2, 1 Kings 22:43,50).
The use of incense by Christians is a matter of conviction. While some Christians may choose to burn incense during prayer and worship, it is not a requirement. Some Christians may struggle with the use of incense due to its association with pagan religions and idolatrous practices. Ultimately, the motivation behind burning incense is important, and Christians should ensure that their actions do not cause others to stumble in their faith (Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 10:23-33).
While incense is not specifically mentioned in Scripture, its use as a religious practice is mentioned in the Bible and continues to be used by various Christian denominations today, including Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran churches.
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Incense is linked to pagan religions
The use of incense is pervasive in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. In Hinduism, the incense stick is rotated between the palms before being placed in a holder in honour of the gods. In Buddhism, incense is used to burn the scalps or arms of monks and nuns, and the scars mark them for life. Buddhism also involves bowing to idols while waving bundles of burning incense sticks.
Incense is also used by neo-pagans and Wiccans in procedures designed to release power and invoke spells. The Bible also mentions the use of incense by idol worshippers, which brought great anger to the Lord. For instance, the Hebrews offered incense to Baal and other demonic idols, which was hated by God. Similarly, Uzziah was enraged when he was forbidden to burn incense to the Lord, and as a result, leprosy broke out on his forehead.
In the Bible, God gives instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. For instance, in Exodus 30, Moses is given instructions for burning incense in the Temple of God, and it is stated that the incense was to be burned forevermore. God also gives instructions for constructing the altar of incense, which was set in the Holy Place in front of the veil before the Holy of Holies. The altar of incense is where authorized incense was burned, creating a pleasing aroma for God.
However, the Bible also mentions the use of incense in the wrong way by God's people, which caused God's wrath. For example, Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them, and they died as a result. Therefore, it is important to follow God's instructions for burning incense to avoid His displeasure.
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Incense is used in Orthodox churches
The use of incense in religious contexts has a long history, with evidence pointing to its use in ancient Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East. It has been used in Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, and is also present in Christian traditions.
> "We offer to Thee, Christ our God, this incense as a spiritual fragrance; receive it, we pray, to Thy heavenly altar and send down to us, in return, the grace of Thy Holy Spirit."
The use of incense in Orthodox churches is also supported by biblical references. For example, in Revelation 8:3-5, incense is mentioned in the context of sub-Apostolic Christian worship, and Psalm 140:2 says, "Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Additionally, the book of Exodus provides instructions for the composition of holy incense, which included balsamic fragrances and a mixture of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense.
While some Christians may have concerns about the use of incense due to its association with pagan religions, Orthodox Christians view it as a way to send a pleasing aroma to God and as a wholesome ritual rooted in scripture and faith. The practice is a matter of personal conviction, and the motivation behind it is important. If the intention is to increase the power of prayers or please God, it may be seen as falling into legalism or mysticism. However, if it comes from a pure heart, it can be appreciated by God.
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Incense is a symbol of prayer
The use of incense for religious purposes has a long history in ancient Egypt, China, India, the Middle East, and Judaism. The burning of incense is also mentioned in the Bible, where God gave Moses and Aaron instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense.
Incense is described as a holy act of worship and a symbol of prayer. In Exodus 30, God instructs Moses to burn incense perpetually before the Lord. The Bible also mentions that God is pleased with the aroma of incense when offered as instructed but is displeased if the incense is offered without following his commands. For instance, in Leviticus 10, Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered incense that God had not commanded, and they were consumed by fire from the Lord.
Incense has been used by various religious groups, including Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and Christians. In Christianity, the use of incense is seen in the Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic tradition, and some Lutheran churches. While some Christians view incense as a symbol of prayer, others caution against its use due to its association with pagan religions and idol worship. They emphasize that Christians should worship God alone and not fall into legalism or mysticism by relying on incense to enhance their prayers.
Overall, the use of incense as a symbol of prayer varies among different religious and cultural traditions. While some view it as a pleasing offering to God, others may have concerns about its proper use and motivation.
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Incense is used in neo-pagan practices
The use of incense in spiritual practices has a long history, with ancient roots in multiple religious traditions around the world. In the present day, it is used by neo-pagans and Wiccans in procedures designed to release power and invoke spells.
Neo-paganism, or modern paganism, is a broad term for a range of new religious movements influenced by the beliefs of pre-modern peoples across Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. It is a diverse religion with no single set of beliefs, practices, or religious texts. Some pagans identify as neopagans, believing that the prefix indicates the reformed nature of the religion, including its rejection of practices such as animal sacrifice.
The use of incense in neo-pagan practices can vary due to the eclectic and diverse nature of the religion. Some common reasons for burning incense include focusing the practitioner's intentions during rituals or spells, and representing the air element during rituals. Incense is also used in domestic worship, which typically takes place in the home and involves offerings and prayers to images of deities, accompanied by the lighting of incense.
The specific methods and rationales for burning incense in neo-pagan practices can differ depending on the individual or group's beliefs and traditions. Some pagans may choose to source their incense from local shops or online retailers, while others prefer to craft their own incense at home by grinding roots, resins, woods, dried herbs, flowers, and spices.
The use of incense in neo-pagan practices is part of a broader history of incorporating aspects of the natural world into spiritual beliefs and rituals, with ancient civilizations in the Middle East and Asia also burning incense for its scent and spiritual significance.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bible mentions incense in several passages, and it has been used for religious purposes in ancient Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East. Incense is still used by priests within the Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic tradition, and some Lutheran churches. While the Bible does not specifically command Christians to burn incense, it is not considered wrong to do so as part of prayer and worship. However, some Christians may avoid it due to its association with paganism and idol worship.
In the Bible, God gave Moses and Aaron instructions for burning incense as a holy act of worship. Incense was offered to God as a sweet fragrance, symbolizing prayer and atonement. The smoke from the incense also created a cloud covering, providing a physical representation of the spiritual act of worship.
Yes, God specifically commanded against burning "strange incense" or incense that did not follow His recipe. This act of disobedience angered God and brought consequences, as seen in the story of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who offered profane fire and incense before the Lord and were consumed by fire.
The use of incense varies across different religions. In Buddhism, incense is burned during worship and used to mark the scalps or arms of monks and nuns. Hinduism also incorporates incense as a way to honor the gods. Judaism has a long tradition of incense use, with instructions for constructing the altar of incense detailed in the Bible.
