Seamus Hammond
Incense burning has been a common practice in religious ceremonies across various cultures and nations. The use of incense is mentioned in the Bible, where it is described as an offering to God and a form of worship. The Bible provides detailed instructions on the times, places, and methods of burning incense, with specific references in books such as Exodus, Kings, Isaiah, and Revelation. Incense is also used in private homes by individuals who wish to create a peaceful atmosphere for prayer. While some Christians may have concerns about the practice, it is an ancient tradition that continues to be an integral part of Orthodox Christian worship.
| 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 an act of idolatry | The Caesars proclaimed themselves as gods and demanded the burning of incense in their presence |
| Burning incense is an ancient practice | It has been used in the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, and Anglican Churches |
| Burning incense is symbolic | The smoke that comes from burning incense is considered to be the "prayer of the faithful rising to heaven" |
| Burning incense is mentioned in the Bible | References include Exodus 30, 1 Kings 6:20,22; 7:48; 9:25, and Revelation 5:8 |
| Burning incense is used in private homes | The faithful use incense to create an atmosphere of churchly peace in their homes |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used in many different religions and cultures
Incense has been employed in worship by Christians since antiquity, and its use is inspired by passages in the Bible. In the Bible, incense is offered to God in worship and is described as a sweet fragrance that is pleasing to human senses. Incense is used in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches.
In Chinese Taoist and Buddhist temples, the inner spaces are scented with thick coiled incense, hung from the ceiling or placed on special stands. Worshippers light and burn sticks of incense in small or large bundles, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors. Incense is also burned during festivals and processions to honour ancestors and household gods.
Incense holds an invaluable role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites, as well as in Japanese Shinto shrines for the deity Inari Okami, or the Seven Lucky Gods. In Japan, the sticks of incense are placed horizontally into censers on top of the ash. The formula and scent of the incense sticks used in various temples throughout Asia vary widely.
Incense is also used in Hinduism, especially by the Śaivas, for ritual and domestic offerings. In ancient Greece and Rome, woods and resins were burned as an oblation, for protection against demons, and in public and private sacrifices.
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Incense is mentioned in the Bible
In the Bible, incense is often associated with prayer and worship. The smoke rising from burning incense is likened to the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 140/141:2, where the psalmist writes, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense; let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." The book of Revelation also mentions incense, describing its use in heavenly worship, where it represents and carries the prayers of the saints to God.
Incense was an integral part of religious ceremonies and temple worship in ancient Israel. The Bible mentions that the burning of incense was one of the functions of the priesthood. The incense used in the tabernacle service was made from specific perfumes, including stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. Any incense not made from these prescribed ingredients was forbidden.
The use of incense has continued in various Christian traditions, including Orthodox Christianity, Roman Catholicism, and Lutheran and Anglican Churches. It is seen as a way to create an atmosphere of churchly peace and to facilitate prayer and worship.
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Incense is used in Christian worship
The burning of incense has been a part of 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 increasingly being used in other Christian groups such as Methodism.
The use of incense in Christian worship is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism in the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The Bible mentions that God gave Moses and Aaron 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. Incense was also offered in the Temple (1 Kings 9:25).
The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. 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 is also used in private homes by Christians who wish to create an atmosphere of churchly peace and to unite their prayers with those of all Christians.
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Incense is used in private homes
The Bible describes God giving Moses and Aaron detailed instructions on the times, places, and methods of burning incense. Incense was to be burned perpetually before the Lord as a holy act of worship (Exodus 30). When the Tabernacle was replaced by the Temple, incense was offered there (1 Kings 9:25). However, when the people fell away into sin and idolatry, their offering of incense was hated by God (Isaiah 1:13). Isaiah prophesied that incense would once again be received by God, offered by all the nations in worship of the Lord in his true Temple (Malachi 1:11; Isaiah 60:6-7), which is understood to be the Body of Christ—the Church.
Incense is also mentioned in the last book of the Bible, Saint John's Revelation (5:8). In his vision, incense is used in heavenly worship, representing and carrying the prayers of the saints—both martyrs in heaven and those living on earth—up to God (8:3-4). This practice is continued in the present day by the Church, where the sweet fragrance of incense helps worshippers physically and spiritually lift up their hearts to God.
The use of incense in private homes is a debated topic. Some interpret Malachi 1:11 as indicating that only the clergy are permitted to offer incense, as it describes God speaking to Jewish priests rather than laypeople. According to this view, using incense at home would be a rebellion against God. However, others argue that there is no explicit Patristic, canonical, or liturgical basis for condemning the use of incense in private homes.
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Incense is used to symbolise prayer
The use of incense to symbolise prayer is prevalent in many cultures and religions. In Christianity, incense is used in churches, including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, Old Catholic, Methodist, Continental Reformed, Presbyterian, and Anglican denominations. The burning of incense is considered a divine command, with God giving Moses and Aaron detailed instructions on the times, places, and methods of burning incense (Exodus 30).
Incense is also used in private homes by Christians to create an atmosphere of churchly peace, bringing to mind the common prayer of all Christians. In the Bible, Saint John's Revelation describes the use of incense in heavenly worship, where it symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven rising up to God. This is also mentioned in Psalm 140/141:2, where it says, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense; let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."
In Hinduism, incense is offered to God in his various forms, such as Krishna and Rama, and this practice is still common in modern-day India and among Hindus worldwide. The burning of incense is also an integral part of Buddhism, with its use being introduced to China by wandering Buddhist monks around 200 CE. In Mandaeism, incense is offered on stands called kinta to establish communion between humans and celestial beings during rituals such as baptism and death mass.
The use of incense as a symbol of prayer is also seen in ancient civilisations such as the Babylonians, Assyrians, Greeks, and Egyptians. The smoke produced by burning incense is believed to carry the prayers of the faithful to heaven, with different types of incense burning at different rates, making them suitable for different practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, burning incense is mentioned in the Bible. In Exodus 30, God gave Moses and Aaron instructions for when, where, and how to burn incense. Incense is also mentioned in Saint John's Revelation, where John describes incense being used in heavenly worship.
Burning incense is a common practice in many religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. In the Bible, incense is offered to God in worship and is considered a holy act. Incense is also used in private homes to create an atmosphere of churchly peace.
Incense is burned as a form of worship and to carry prayers to God or the spirit. The smoke from burning incense is considered the "prayer of the faithful rising to heaven."
Burning incense is not considered a sin for Christians. In fact, it is an integral part of Orthodox Christian worship and is used in the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, and some Anglican Churches.
