Heidi Norton
The use of incense in worship is a long-standing tradition in many religions, including Christianity and Judaism. In the Bible, incense is often associated with prayer and is said to be symbolic of sanctification and purification. According to Exodus, Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. This practice was connected to the menorah, the source of illumination inside the Tabernacle, and the sweet aroma of the incense could be detected from a distance. While there is no mention of a censer in the Exodus passages, some sources describe Aaron carrying a golden censer filled with incense, which he would swing to spread clouds of incense through the air.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who burned the incense? | Aaron |
| Where did Aaron burn the incense? | The Tabernacle |
| What was the incense burner made of? | Gold |
| What type of incense was burned? | Sweet-smelling |
| When was the incense burned? | Morning and twilight |
| How often was the incense burned? | Daily |
| What was the purpose of the incense? | Prayer and worship |
| Who was the incense offered to? | The Lord |
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What You'll Learn
- The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold
- Aaron burned incense in the morning and at twilight
- The incense burner was portable and provided a protective cloud of smoke before the Lord
- The incense was always burning, symbolising the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation
- The incense burner was suspended on a chain
The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold
The Tabernacle, also known as the "Tent of Meeting", was a portable sanctuary where the Israelites worshipped God during their journey through the wilderness. The Tabernacle contained two altars: the Brazen Altar and the Altar of Incense. The latter was constructed from acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It stood in the Holy Place, between the golden lampstand and the table of showbread, and measured approximately 18 inches square by 36 inches high.
The Altar of Incense was a sacred object, deemed "most holy to the Lord" (Exodus 30:10). It was here that the priests would burn incense, a ritual symbolizing prayer and worship. The incense was composed of equal parts of four precious spices: stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. God commanded that this unique formula be used exclusively for the Tabernacle, and not for personal consumption.
Aaron, the first high priest of the Israelites, played a significant role in the rituals associated with the Altar of Incense. He was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. This ritual was connected to the menorah, the source of illumination inside the Tabernacle. Aaron would burn the incense while dressing the individual lamps of the menorah in the morning and lighting them in the evening.
The sweet-smelling aroma of the burning incense filled not only the Holy Place but also wafted beyond the Tabernacle, carrying a reminder to the people that their prayers were constantly being carried to God. This symbolism is reflected in Scripture, where incense is often associated with prayer. For instance, in Psalm 141:2, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense."
The Altar of Incense also had a role in the annual Day of Atonement. On this day, the high priest would sprinkle the horns of the altar with blood from the animal sacrifice to cleanse and purify it from the sins of the Israelites.
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Aaron burned incense in the morning and at twilight
The burning of incense was an important ritual in the Tabernacle, and Aaron played a crucial role in this process. According to Exodus 30:7–8, Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. This is further supported by Exodus 30:1-10, which mentions that Aaron burned fragrant incense on the golden altar, filling the entire holy place with its aroma.
The altar of incense was constructed from acacia wood, overlaid with gold, and stood two cubits high. It was placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Testimony resided, symbolizing God's presence. The incense burned on this altar was made from sweet spices, and its fragrance was considered pleasing to God.
The act of burning incense was closely associated with prayer and worship. In Scripture, incense often symbolizes the prayers of God's people rising up to Heaven. For instance, in Psalm 141:2, David compares his prayers to incense, saying, "May my prayer be set before you like incense." Similarly, in Revelation 5:8, John describes the elders around the throne holding "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people."
The incense also served a practical purpose in the Tabernacle. It was used for ritual cleansing and purification of the sacred space, creating a worthy environment for the worship of God. This is evident in the story of the High Priest entering the Holy of Holies once a year, carrying a portable incense burner that provided a protective cloud of smoke. Additionally, the incense was burned with fire from the altar of burnt offerings, symbolizing the need for our prayers to be kindled with heaven's grace.
The burning of incense by Aaron in the morning and at twilight was a sacred ritual that held symbolic and spiritual significance. It represented the perpetual nature of prayer and worship, as well as the purification and sanctification necessary for communion with God.
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The incense burner was portable and provided a protective cloud of smoke before the Lord
The Tabernacle, also known as the tent of the congregation, was a portable structure that housed the Ark of the Covenant, the golden altar of incense, and other sacred objects. It served as a place of worship and a symbolic representation of God's presence among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.
The altar of incense, also referred to as the golden altar, played a significant role in the rituals and symbolism of the Tabernacle. This altar was constructed from acia wood overlaid with gold and had four "horns," one at each corner. It was relatively small, measuring one cubit (approximately 20 inches or just under two feet) on each side and two cubits (approximately four feet) in height.
The incense burner, or censer, was an essential component of the altar of incense. It is described as being made of gold and portable, allowing Aaron, the high priest, to carry it with him when he entered the Holy of Holies once a year. This portable incense burner provided a protective cloud of smoke before the Lord, creating a sacred and purified atmosphere.
The act of burning incense was a ritual performed by Aaron or the priests. It involved burning fragrant or sweet-smelling incense, made from specific spices, on the altar. This ritual was carried out twice daily: in the morning when Aaron dressed the lamps of the Menorah, and in the evening when he lit the lamps. The incense was burned on coals of fire taken from the Altar of Burnt Sacrifice, which was originally lit by the Lord Himself.
The smoke rising from the incense had symbolic meanings. It represented the prayers of God's people ascending to God, similar to how prayers rise to heaven. The sweet aroma of the incense was also believed to be pleasing to God and served as a form of atonement and purification, creating a holy atmosphere within the Tabernacle.
The altar of incense and the practice of burning incense held significant meaning in the religious traditions of both Jews and Christians. It symbolized the importance of prayer, worship, and the mediation of Christ. The sweet fragrance of the incense also held symbolic value, representing the spiritual purification necessary to dwell with God in eternity.
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The incense was always burning, symbolising the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation
The burning of incense in the Tabernacle is a significant part of Christian liturgy, symbolizing the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation. The incense burner, or altar of incense, is mentioned in Exodus 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. It was constructed from acia wood, overlaid with gold, and stood two cubits high.
Aaron, the first high priest of the Israelites, was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. This was to be a perpetual act, carried out throughout their generations. The incense was made from sweet spices, and the coals used to burn it were taken from the Altar of Burnt Sacrifice.
The burning of incense was connected to the menorah, the source of illumination inside the Tabernacle. Aaron would burn incense when he dressed the individual lamps of the menorah in the morning and again in the evening when he lit the lamps. The aroma of the incense filled the Tabernacle and could be detected outside, even up to a quarter of a mile away, according to Jewish tradition.
The act of burning incense is often associated with prayer in Scripture. The smoke of the incense symbolizes sanctification, purification, and the prayers of the faithful rising up to God. In Revelation 5:6-8, the elders around the throne are described as holding "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Similarly, in Zechariah 1:10, the priest Zechariah is offering incense in the temple while the assembled worshippers pray outside, indicating that the incense represents their prayers ascending to God.
The altar of incense can also be seen as a symbol of Christ's mediation. Just as the Altar of Sacrifice in the courtyard represented Christ's death, the altar of incense in the Holy Place symbolizes Christ's ongoing work of mediation on our behalf. The perpetual burning of incense signifies that Christ's mediation is continuous and everlasting.
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The incense burner was suspended on a chain
The incense burner, or altar of incense, is first mentioned in Exodus chapter 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The altar was square at the top, with each side measuring one cubit (approximately twenty inches or just under two feet), and a height of two cubits. It was constructed from acacia wood and overlaid with gold. The altar also featured four "horns", one at each corner, and gold rings through which poles of acacia wood could be slipped for transportation.
The incense burner was to be placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, with the Ark of the Testimony on the other side of the veil. Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular, perpetual offering to the Lord. The incense was to be burned by a priest, with the coals for the burning taken from the Altar of Burnt Sacrifice.
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Frequently asked questions
The altar of incense was used for the burning of incense, which was a symbol of prayer and worship. It was also used for ritual cleansing and purification of the sacred space of the Tabernacle.
Only a priest could go in and offer incense on the altar.
The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold.
The incense burner provided a protective cloud of smoke when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year.
