Lance Carson
The act of offering incense to the Lord is a sacred practice with deep roots in the Bible and has been interpreted in various ways by different religious traditions. Incense offerings are mentioned in the Book of Exodus, which provides instructions for constructing a golden altar of incense and a unique blend of spices to be burned on it. This practice is seen as a form of prayer and worship, with the smoke and fragrance of the incense carrying symbolic significance. The act of offering incense is also associated with the idea of sacrifice and atonement, as well as the recognition of the Lord's holiness and majesty. Today, the use of incense in worship varies across different Christian denominations, with some continuing to use it in liturgical rites and devotions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of offering incense | Twice a day, every morning and evening |
| Who should offer incense | Priests, specifically Aaron and his sons |
| Where to offer incense | The altar of incense, situated before the Ark of the Testimony |
| Incense type | Sacred, made of costly materials such as sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense |
| Incense symbolism | Symbol or vehicle of prayer to God, representing the sweet savour of offerings |
| Incense in liturgy | Used in liturgical rites in Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutheran churches |
| Incense alternatives | Candles, particularly scented ones that evoke the presence of God |
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What You'll Learn
The altar of incense
The recipe for the incense was prescribed by God, and it consisted of costly and fragrant spices such as stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. The incense was to be made according to specific proportions, and no other incense was to be burned on the altar. The smoke from the incense symbolized the prayers of God's people ascending to Him, and the priests served as mediators, bringing these prayers into God's presence.
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The ingredients and recipe
Stacte is believed to be the extract of the transparent portion of myrrh resin or a balsam from trees such as opobalsamum or styrax. Onycha, which means "'nail" in Greek, is thought to be the operculum from a shell found in the Red Sea or the exudation from the rock rose bush, among other possible sources. Galbanum is generally associated with Ferula galbaniflua, a plant native to the Levant, or its close relative, narthex or giant fennel. Pure frankincense is derived from the resin of the boswellia tree.
The incense offering was an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in Jerusalem during the Tabernacle and the First and Second Temple periods. It was made from costly materials contributed by the congregation. The recipe for the incense was considered sacred, and its preparation was entrusted to the priests, specifically Aaron and his sons, who were to burn it on the altar of incense each morning and evening as a regular offering to the Lord.
The altar of incense was a small golden altar situated in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, just outside the Most Holy Place (traditionally called the Holy of Holies). It stood before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Testimony resided—the physical representation of God's presence.
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The symbolism of incense
The use of incense has been prevalent since ancient times, with mentions of it in the Bible and its use in ancient civilisations. The sweet fragrance of incense has been used to symbolise something pleasing and acceptable being offered to God. The act of burning incense is also a sign of reverence and dedication.
Incense is also believed to have the power to purify and cleanse, both physically and spiritually. In ancient times, it was used to keep demons away and to purify spaces. Even today, incense is used to cleanse and purify spaces, especially after funerals or other solemn occasions.
The sense of smell is strongly connected to memory, and incense can evoke powerful emotional responses. The fragrance of incense can help focus the mind and create a sense of calm and serenity, making it useful for meditation and spiritual practices. Different types of incense are believed to have different properties, such as promoting luck, protection, prosperity, and purification.
The use of incense has evolved over time, with various cultures and religions adopting its use in their own unique ways. From the ancient Babylonians and Egyptians to the early Christians and modern-day Catholics, incense continues to play a significant role in religious and spiritual rituals. The act of burning incense has become a way to connect with the divine, offering prayers and showing devotion.
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The incense offering ritual
The altar of incense is described in Exodus 30 as a small, square, golden altar, situated in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, just outside the Most Holy Place. The altar was constructed from acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with four "horns" at each corner, and rings of gold built into it so that it could be carried.
The Book of Exodus also provides the recipe for the incense, which was to be made from costly and fragrant materials, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, in equal weights. The incense was to be finely ground and kept holy, and its fragrance was to be offered to the Lord.
The ritual of offering incense is described in Exodus 30 and Leviticus 16. Aaron, and later his son Eleazar, were instructed to burn fragrant incense on the altar each morning and evening, as a regular offering to the Lord. This ritual was to be performed from generation to generation. On the Day of Atonement, the incense was to be brought inside the Most Holy Place, along with a bull sacrificed as a sin offering.
The offering of incense is symbolic and is often interpreted as a representation of prayer. The smoke of the incense rising is likened to the ascent of prayers to God in heaven. The sweet fragrance of the incense is also believed to be pleasing to the Lord, and its continual burning signifies the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation and the importance of constant prayer.
In modern times, some people choose to incorporate candles or scented oils into their devotional practices, reminiscent of the traditional incense offering ritual. These fragrances can serve as a reminder of God's presence and encourage a more focused and grateful prayer experience.
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Incense in the New Testament
The New Testament makes several typological references to incense. For instance, in Hebrews 9:3–4, there is a Christological reference to the coals from the altar of incense taken behind the veil on the Day of Atonement. The New Testament also refers to the prayers of believers as incense in Revelation 5:8.
In later Christian typology, the smoke of incense in the tabernacle signifies offered prayer. This was developed in medieval Christian art. Incense is still used in liturgical rites in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, a considerable part of the Anglican Church, and some Lutheran churches.
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies across the world since ancient times. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) were the first in the non-Asian world to discover the use of incense, which was used by Hindus for centuries by the time of the 5th Dynasty. Incense use in religious ritual was either further or simultaneously developed in China, and eventually transmitted to Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
Incense holds an invaluable role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites as well as in those of Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines for the deity Inari Okami, or the Seven Lucky Gods. In Chinese Taoist and Buddhist temples, the inner spaces are scented with thick coiled incense, which are either hung from the ceiling or on special stands. Worshippers at the temples light and burn sticks of incense in small or large bundles, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing to the statues or plaques of a deity or an ancestor.
In Japanese Shinto shrines to Inari Okami or the Seven Lucky Gods, and in Buddhist temples, the sticks of incense are placed horizontally into censers on top of the ash since the sticks used normally lack a supporting core that does not burn. In India, incense has been used since 3,600 BC and is a traditional and ubiquitous practice in almost all pujas, prayers, and other forms of worship.
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Frequently asked questions
The offering of incense is mentioned in Exodus 30, which describes the design of the incense altar as a small golden altar that stood in the sanctuary of the Tabernacle, just outside of the Most Holy Place. The incense offering is to be burned on the altar every morning and evening.
The offering of incense is a recognition of the Lord's place as God. The sweet fragrance of the incense offering is considered a symbol of the prayers of God's people.
The Book of Exodus describes the recipe for the incense offering as a blend of "sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense". The Talmud lists seven additional components from the oral Torah, and the rabbis of the Talmud expanded the description of the recipe from four to eleven ingredients.
The smoke of incense in the tabernacle typically signifies an offered prayer.
