Heidi Norton
Incense is a substance burned to produce a fragrant smoke, often used in religious ceremonies. The Bible makes many references to the burning of incense, which is regarded as symbolic of prayer. The practice of burning incense dates back to biblical times, with the Canaanites, neighbours of the Hebrews, using incense in the second millennium BC. The Bible provides a recipe for the sacred incense used in the wilderness Tabernacle, which was made from costly materials contributed by the congregation. The process of making incense in biblical times is a fascinating area of study, shedding light on the religious practices and cultural exchanges of the time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Stacte, Onycha, Galbanum, Pure Frankincense, Myrrh, Saffron, Cinnamon, Nard |
| Preparation | The ingredients were mixed in equal proportions and tempered with salt |
| Usage | Burned during religious worship, especially in the morning and evening |
| Symbolism | Symbolic of ascending prayers |
| Manufacture | Made by the House of Avtinas |
| References | Exodus, Leviticus, Talmud, Revelation, Luke, Psalms, Isaiah, Kings, Chronicles, Samuel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Mark, Hebrews |
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What You'll Learn
Incense ingredients and their origins
Incense was an aromatic substance made of gums and spices, burned during religious worship. The Bible describes incense as "sweet" and "perfume", and it was made according to a definite prescription.
The Book of Exodus, in the Old Testament, lists the four components of the sacred incense as:
- Stacte (or myrrh)
- Onycha
- Galbanum
- Pure frankincense
The Talmud lists seven additional components, bringing the total number of ingredients to eleven. The original four ingredients were to be mixed in equal proportions and tempered with salt.
Incense was an important component of priestly liturgy and was burned on altars, with the smoke carrying symbolic meaning. The fragrant smoke was thought to represent the prayers of godly people, ascending to God.
The ingredients for incense came from various regions:
- Frankincense: Somaliland, Palestine, and South Arabia
- Myrrh: South Arabia
- Saffron: Palestine
- Onycha: Red Sea
- Galbanum: Persia
- Nard: India
- Cinnamon: Ceylon
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The altar of incense
> Take unto yourself sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be an equal weight: And you shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together [with salt], pure and holy: And you shall beat some of it very small...
The incense was symbolic of the ascending prayers of the people, as the smoke from the incense constantly rose from the altar, representing their prayers constantly ascending before the Lord. The priests served as mediators between the people and God, bringing their prayers into the Holy of Holies. The altar of incense was also connected with sacrificial rituals, with the blood of sin offerings smeared on its horns and poured out at its base.
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Incense in the Old Testament
The Old Testament makes numerous references to the burning of incense, which was an aromatic substance made of gums and spices, burned especially in religious worship. The incense offering in Judaism was related to perfumed offerings on the altar of incense in the Tabernacle and the First and Second Temple periods. It was an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Book of Exodus describes the recipe for the sacred incense as follows:
> Take unto yourself sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And you shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together [salted], pure and holy: And you shall beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with...
The Talmud lists seven additional components from the oral Torah, and Josephus mentions 13 ingredients. The incense was to be burned morning and evening, and the altar was made of acacia wood with a veneer of gold.
The fragrant smoke of incense was symbolic of the ascending prayers of the saints. In the New Testament, the smoke of incense in the tabernacle signifies offered prayer.
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Incense in the New Testament
The New Testament makes several typological references to incense. This includes a Christological reference to the coals from the altar of incense taken behind the veil on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:3–4). The Book of Exodus describes the recipe for the sacred incense as follows:
> Take unto yourself sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And you shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together [salted], pure and holy: And you shall beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with you: it shall be unto you most holy.
Incense is also referenced in the New Testament in relation to the prayers of believers (Revelation 5:8). In later Christian typology, the smoke of incense in the tabernacle signifies offered prayer. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice."
Incense has been used in Christian worship since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. Incense is also used in liturgical rites in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, a considerable part of the Anglican Church, and among some Lutheran churches.
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries a Christian symbolism. Incense is burned during religious services, with a thurible (a type of censer) used to contain the incense as it is burned. Incense, in the form of pebbly grains or powder, is usually blessed with a prayer and spooned onto the coals.
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Incense in other religions
The use of incense in religious rituals has been prevalent since ancient times. In addition to its significance in Christianity and Judaism, incense holds an important place in several other religions and belief systems.
In ancient India, for example, incense was made from Benzoin resin and the resin obtained from the Commiphora wightii tree. These resins were burned over embers, releasing fragrant smoke. Hindus, especially the Śaivas, continue to use incense for both ritual and domestic offerings. The use of incense in Hinduism has a long history, with Hindus employing it for centuries by the time of the 5th Dynasty in ancient Egypt.
Incense is also an integral part of Buddhist practices. Buddhists burn incense during festivals, initiations, and daily rites. It is particularly significant in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites. Additionally, in Taoist and Shinto shrines dedicated to the deity Inari Okami, or the Seven Lucky Gods, incense is burned as an offering.
In Mandaeism, incense is offered on stands called kinta by Mandaean priests. The burning of incense is meant to establish a communion between humans on Earth and celestial beings in the World of Light. It is used during rituals such as baptism and death masses, as well as during priest initiation ceremonies.
The use of incense has also been recorded in ancient civilisations like the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Arabians, and Canaanites. The Babylonians, for instance, used incense extensively while offering prayers or divining oracles. Incense was believed to manifest the presence of the gods and gratify them with its fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense was used in religious worship and was often burned on altars. It was also symbolic of ascending prayer.
Incense was made of gums and spices, including frankincense, myrrh, saffron, stacte, onycha, galbanum, nard, cinnamon, and more.
The ingredients of incense were mixed in equal proportions and tempered with salt. The mixture was then burned to produce a fragrant smoke.
According to the Talmud, the House of Avtinas was responsible for making incense in the days of the Second Temple.
Incense is often symbolic of prayer in the Bible. For example, in Psalm 141:2, the psalmist prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense."
