Antonio Mcgowan
The Bible contains 24 verses that refer to incense, which is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible and in the present day. Incense is mentioned in the last book of the Bible, Saint John's Revelation, and in the first century's Divine Liturgy of Saint James, one of the oldest Christian liturgies. Incense is also mentioned in the time of Christ, when Zacharias, the father of John the Forerunner, served as a high priest and offered incense in the Temple. While the Bible mentions incense, it does not instruct Christians to burn it. The decision to burn incense is a matter of conviction and depends on the branch of Christianity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense is a | Divine command |
| Incense was common in the | Old Testament |
| Incense is | Not necessary anymore |
| Incense is used in | Catholic churches |
| Incense is mentioned in the | Gospel of Luke |
| Incense is mentioned in | Saint John's Revelation |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is a holy act of worship
Incense features prominently in the Bible, and its use is a holy act of worship. The Bible contains 24 verses that refer to incense, and its use is described in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
In the Old Testament, God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord as a holy act of worship (Exodus 30). Incense was offered in the Temple (1/3 Kings 9:25), and its use was regulated. For instance, the Old Testament originally required the high priest to offer the sacred incense, but the Gospel of Luke reveals that ordinary priests were also permitted to perform the offering (Luke 1:9-10).
The use of incense is also mentioned in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah is chosen by lot to place incense on the altar in the temple while the people prayed outside (Luke 1:9-16). As the incense smoke rose up to God, an angel announced that Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth would have a son, John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-16). This episode demonstrates the role of incense as emblematic of prayer and the relationship between God and His people.
Incense continues to be used in Christian worship today, although its use is not universal among all branches of Christianity. Catholics, for example, typically burn holy incense in church as part of purification rituals performed by priests. The practice is based on the belief that the ingredients for holy incense were handed down to Moses by God, with base ingredients such as myrrh, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense.
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God gave Moses and Aaron instructions for burning incense
The Bible mentions incense in 24 verses. It was a common practice in the Old Testament, and some denominations continue to burn incense today. The burning of incense is a divine command. God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense.
In Exodus 30, God instructs Moses to make an altar for burning incense: "And you shall make an altar for burning incense; you shall make it of acacia wood". This altar was to be placed before the Lord, and the incense was to be burned perpetually as a holy act of worship. The ingredients for this holy incense were handed down to Moses by God and typically included myrrh, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense.
Aaron, Moses' brother, was also instructed to burn incense on the altar of incense in the Tabernacle as part of the ritual for the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:12-13). The smoke from the burning incense covered the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence. Aaron also used incense to make atonement and stop a plague (Numbers 16:46-49). These instances demonstrate the significance of burning incense as a way to connect with God, seek His presence, and show reverence and respect.
Incense is also mentioned in the last book of the Bible, Saint John's Revelation. In his vision, incense is used in heavenly worship (Revelation 5:8), and it represents the prayers of the saints, both martyrs in heaven and those living on earth, rising up to God (Revelation 8:3-4). This idea of incense carrying prayers is also reflected in Psalm 140/141:2, which says, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense; let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." This verse is still recited daily at Vespers in the Orthodox Church, emphasizing the enduring significance of incense in Christian worship.
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Incense is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke
The use of incense is mentioned several times in the Bible, including in the Gospel of Luke. Incense was a significant part of religious practices in ancient Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East, as well as in Buddhism and Hinduism. Within the Bible, references to incense are predominantly found in the Old Testament, where it is associated with offerings and sacrifices made to God.
In the Gospel of Luke, the use of incense signifies a change in tradition. While the Old Testament required only the high priest to offer sacred incense, Luke reveals that ordinary priests were also permitted to perform this offering. This is referenced in the story of Zacharias, who, as a priest, entered the temple to burn incense while the multitude of people prayed outside (Luke 1:9-10).
The use of incense in the Bible is symbolic of prayer and worship. In Psalm 141:2, David compares prayer to incense, saying, "Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you." This idea is further supported by the fact that the fragrant fumes of incense represent the prayers of godly people in covenant with God. The book of Revelation also reinforces this symbolism, stating that "incense is symbolic of the prayers of the saints" (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4).
The act of burning incense is also mentioned in the context of purification rituals. Catholics, for example, burn holy incense in church as part of their purification rituals, and the ingredients for this holy incense were said to have been handed down to Moses by God. These ingredients typically included myrrh, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense.
While the burning of incense is prevalent in the Bible, it is important to note that the Bible also warns against the misuse of incense. God prohibited the Israelites from using "unauthorized" or "strange" incense on the altar, and there were severe consequences for those who did not follow these instructions.
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Incense is not necessary to burn after Jesus' death and resurrection
The Bible mentions incense in 24 verses, and its use is described as a holy act of worship. God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord (Exodus 30).
However, the Bible also notes that the use of incense is not as important as obedience to God. 1 Samuel 15:22 asks: "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?"
Since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the veil of the temple has been removed, and so it is no longer necessary to burn incense (Hebrews 9:11-24). While some Christians continue to burn incense, it is a matter of choice and depends on the branch of Christianity. For example, Catholics typically burn holy incense in church as part of purification rituals performed by priests.
The use of incense in the Bible is emblematic of prayer and the relationship between God and God's people. While it was once a sacred act, the Bible also notes that God hated the offering of incense by those who had fallen away into sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1:13).
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Incense is still burned by some denominations today
Incense was very common in the Old Testament, and even today, some denominations continue to burn incense. The Bible contains 24 verses that refer to incense. The practice of burning incense is a divine command, and God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord and was a holy act of worship (Exodus 30).
Catholics typically burn holy incense in church as part of purification rituals performed by priests. The ingredients for this holy incense were handed down to Moses by God and usually included myrrh, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. The use of incense is also mentioned in the Divine Liturgy of Saint James, one of the oldest Christian liturgies, dating back to the first century.
However, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ changed the necessity of burning incense, as explained in Hebrews 9:11-24. While a Christian may still choose to burn incense, the priority should be obedience to God, as indicated in 1 Samuel 15:22.
The role of incense throughout the Bible, from its regulated use in the Old Testament to its depiction in the Gospel of Luke, exemplifies the relationship between God and his people. The Gospel of Luke reveals a shift in tradition, where ordinary priests were permitted to offer incense, not just the high priest.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bible does not explicitly say not to burn incense. However, there are some considerations that Christians should take into account before burning incense. The Bible mentions that the use of incense is linked to pagan religions, and early converts to Christianity who had a pagan background may struggle with its use.
Christians must consider their motives for burning incense. If the intention is to increase the power of prayers or to be more pleasing to God, it could be seen as a form of legalism or mysticism. Christians should also be mindful of how their actions might affect other believers who have different convictions or come from a pagan background.
Yes, the Bible mentions incense in 24 verses. Incense was offered to God as a form of worship and is mentioned in the last book of the Bible, Saint John's Revelation. In the time of Christ, incense continued to be offered in the Temple, and the Magi offered incense to the newborn Christ, symbolising his divinity.
