Katrina Rosales
Incense is mentioned throughout the Bible and is offered to God as a holy act of worship. The Bible describes incense as a symbol of prayer, with its sweet fragrance physically and spiritually lifting hearts to God. The burning of incense is a divine command, with God giving Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense is a | Holy act of worship |
| Divine command | |
| Incense is | Symbolic of ascending prayer |
| A sign of adoration and worship given to Christ | |
| A sign of reverence for the body that was once the temple of God | |
| A sweet fragrance | |
| A gift worthy of a king | |
| A mixture of gums, spices, and perfumes | |
| A holy offering | |
| A sign of dedication |
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What You'll Learn
Incense as a symbol of prayer
The use of incense as a symbol of prayer has been a long-standing tradition in many religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Mandaeism. In the Bible, incense is mentioned in both the Old Testament and New Testament as a sacred offering to God.
In the Old Testament, God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense (Exodus 30). Incense was to be burned perpetually before the Lord as a holy act of worship. When the Tabernacle was replaced by the Temple, incense continued to be offered there (1 Kings 9:25). However, when the people fell into idolatry, their offering of incense was rejected by God (Isaiah 1:13).
In the New Testament, the Gospel of Luke reveals a shift in tradition, where ordinary priests were permitted to offer incense, no longer limited to the high priest as originally prescribed in the Old Testament. An example of this is Zechariah's experience, where he was chosen to place incense on the altar while the people prayed outside (Luke 1:9-10). As the incense smoke rose, an angel delivered a message to Zechariah, announcing the birth of his son, John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-16).
Incense is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation, where it is used in heavenly worship (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4). In these passages, incense is described as carrying the prayers of the saints, both martyrs in heaven and those living on earth, up to God. This idea of incense as a symbol of prayer is further reinforced by Psalm 141:2, where David writes, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!" (Psalm 141:2, NIV).
The use of incense in Christian liturgies, such as the Divine Liturgy of Saint James, continues to this day as a symbol of prayer and purification. Incense is believed to physically and spiritually uplift the hearts of Christians towards God, reminding them of the importance and power of prayer.
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Incense in the Old Testament
The Old Testament makes several references to the burning of incense as a holy act of worship. According to the Book of Exodus, God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions on the times, places, and methods of burning incense. The altar of incense is first mentioned in Exodus 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. The altar was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with four "horns" at each corner. Aaron, as the high priest, was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. The incense was composed of sweet-smelling spices, including stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, and was considered "most holy to the Lord".
The altar of incense symbolized the holiness of God and the need for reconciliation with sinful man. It was situated before the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered by the "mercy seat" and represented the presence of God. The high priest would sprinkle the blood of a bullock before the mercy seat as an offering for sins. The burning of incense was associated with the prayers of God's people, symbolizing their need for a mediator. In the Old Testament, we see David praying, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you" (Psalm 141:1-2).
The offering of incense was a common element in the religious ceremonies of ancient nations, including the Israelites, Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Phoenicians. However, when the Israelites fell into sin and idolatry, their offering of incense was detestable to God (Isaiah 1:13). Isaiah prophesied that incense would eventually be received by God again, offered by all nations in worship of the Lord (Isaiah 60:6-7).
The Old Testament also mentions a similar incense altar in Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, where sacred incense was burned every morning and evening. On the Day of Atonement, coals from the altar were taken into the Holy of Holies, and incense was made to smoke before the mercy seat of the Ark. The burning of incense continued in the time of Christ, with Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, serving as high priest and offering incense in the Temple.
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Incense in the New Testament
Incense is mentioned several times in the New Testament, both in relation to its use in the time of Christ and as a symbol of prayer and worship.
In the time of Christ, incense continued to be offered in the Temple. For example, in Luke 1, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, is described as serving as a priest and offering incense in the Temple when the birth of his son is announced. The Gospel of Matthew also describes the Magi offering incense to the newborn Christ, a symbol of his divinity.
Incense is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation, where John has a vision of heaven and a heavenly liturgy. In this vision, the 24 elders worship with harps and gold bowls filled with incense, which "are the prayers of the holy ones" (Revelation 5:8). This is echoed in Revelation 8:3-4, where an angel is given a censer filled with incense, and the smoke rises up to God with the prayers.
The use of incense in the New Testament is thus often associated with prayer and worship. It symbolises the relationship between God and His people, reminding Christians that God is pleased when His people pray. Incense is also used to show reverence and dedication, such as during funeral masses or when incensing the Book of Gospels.
The specific ingredients and processes for making sacred incense were likely closely guarded secrets, and its use was strictly regulated in the Bible. God gave detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense, and there were severe consequences for misuse.
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Incense in the Book of Revelation
Incense is mentioned in the Book of Revelation as a symbol of the prayers of the saints rising to God. In Revelation 5:8, John describes a vision of heaven in which 24 elders worship the lamb, holding "gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones". This imagery conveys the idea that the elders' prayers, represented by the incense, are precious and pleasing offerings presented to God.
The use of incense in the Book of Revelation is deeply symbolic and holds significant meaning for Christians. Incense represents the prayers of God's people, rising up to heaven like sweet-smelling perfume. In Revelation 8:3-4, an angel with a golden censer is given a large quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones. The smoke of the incense, carrying the prayers of the saints, ascends before God from the angel's hand. This scene illustrates the belief that through Christ's mediation, the prayers of the faithful are made acceptable and pleasing to God.
The use of incense in the Bible is not unique to the Book of Revelation. It is an Old Testament practice that has been maintained in Christian traditions. References to incense can be found in various books of the Bible, including Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. For example, in Exodus 30, God instructs Moses to make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense, and Aaron is directed to burn incense morning and evening.
The inclusion of incense in the Book of Revelation emphasizes the continuity between the Old Testament and the New Testament. It also highlights the symbolic nature of incense in Christian worship. Incense represents the purification and sanctification of prayers as they rise to God, reflecting the belief that God delights in the prayers of His people.
The use of incense in the Book of Revelation, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prayer and the belief that God hears and accepts the prayers of the faithful. The imagery of incense rising to heaven with the prayers of the saints provides comfort and encouragement to Christians, assuring them that their prayers are not only heard but also welcomed by God.
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Incense in worship
The use of incense in religious worship is an ancient practice, found in Hinduism, Buddhism, ancient Judaism, and some parts of Christianity. Incense is granular tree resin mixed with various spices and burns to release a sweet smell.
In the Bible, the burning of incense is a divine command. God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. According to Exodus 30, it was to be burned perpetually before the Lord and was a holy act of worship. The Tabernacle was eventually replaced by the Temple, and incense was offered there, too (1/3 Kings 9:25). The Bible also mentions that when the people fell away into sin and idolatry, their offering of incense was hated by God (Isaiah 1:13). This was because it was not a true expression of loving worship, and the Hebrews were offering the incense to Baal and other demonic idols.
Incense was also used in the worship of the Hebrew covenant. The principal reference to incense being used in Christian worship is found in the Book of Revelation. The text describes a vision in which the speaker sees a lamb on a throne, surrounded by 24 elders worshipping God, each holding "gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones." This passage is used by liturgical churches to explain the use of incense in ceremonial worship, representing prayer rising to God.
Incense is also mentioned in the New Testament, where the Jewish priest Zechariah was making an incense offering when the angel appeared to him in Luke 1:8-11 to announce the future birth of his son, John the Baptist. The offering of incense has continued to be used in Christian worship through to the present day, with the belief that it carries the prayers of the saints up to God.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his own divine command. It is emblematic of prayer and the relationship between God and his people.
Incense is symbolic of ascending prayer. In Revelation 8:3, the incense in the heavenly temple is connected with "the prayers of the saints".
The incense used in the service of the Tabernacle walls was compounded of the perfumes stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense.
There were severe consequences for misusing incense. For instance, two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, died for improper worship involving incense (Leviticus 10:1-2).
The Bible does not specify whether Christians can burn incense or not. It is a matter of conviction. However, Christians who were saved from paganism may struggle with using incense due to its association with pagan religions.
