Anisha Riggs
The Bible mentions incense burning several times, often as a form of worship. Incense was burned in the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their 40-year desert journey after God liberated them from slavery in Egypt. The Bible describes God giving Moses and Aaron instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense, and it was to be burned perpetually before the Lord. The Bible also mentions specific blends of incense to be used, such as a mixture of plant and shellfish extracts, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. The high priest played a crucial role in burning incense, and it was offered in the Temple during the time of Christ. While some Christians may burn incense, others may avoid it due to its association with pagan religions. Ultimately, the Bible emphasizes that the motivation behind any act, including incense burning, is more important to God than the act itself.
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What You'll Learn
Incense as a holy act of worship
The Bible mentions incense multiple times, and it played a crucial role in the worship of God by the Israelites. After God liberated the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, he instructed them to build a portable sanctuary, or tabernacle, to use for worship during their 40-year desert journey. Burning incense inside the tabernacle was an integral part of their worship.
The Bible describes God giving Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord, and it was a holy act of worship. The high priest burned incense twice daily: once before the morning sacrifice and again after the evening sacrifice. The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, standing three feet high in the Holy Place, the outermost room of the tabernacle.
The Bible specifies the ingredients for the incense blend, which included sweet spices, stacte (a resin from myrrh bushes), onycha (made from ground mollusk shells), galbanum (a resin from the ferula plant), and frankincense (a resin from boswellia trees). Salt was also added to the blend to prevent decay and symbolise the purity of the ingredients. This specific blend was to be burned only on the altar of incense and was not to be used for personal fragrance.
The rising smoke from the incense signified the Israelites' worship ascending to God, and its fragrant aroma depicted His acceptance and pleasure with their devotion. On the Day of Atonement, a special ceremony involving incense took place, where the high priest entered the Holy of Holies with a censer of burning incense, creating a protective cloud of smoke. The smoke symbolised the prayers of the people and protected the priest from the direct presence of God.
In the time of Christ, incense continued to be offered in the Temple, and the Magi offered incense to the newborn Christ as a symbol of his divinity. However, some Christians debate whether burning incense is appropriate today, as it is not specifically commanded in Scripture and could be associated with pagan practices. Ultimately, the motivation behind the act of burning incense is crucial, as God values obedience and a sincere heart over sacrifices and rituals.
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The role of priests in burning incense
Burning incense has been a part of religious practices for thousands of years, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The Bible mentions incense in several passages, indicating its significance in ancient religious rituals. Priests, especially in Catholic liturgy, play a crucial role in burning incense as part of their worship and prayer traditions.
In the Bible, the book of Exodus mentions God commanding the use of incense, and this is continued in Catholic liturgy. Priests, as intermediaries between the sacred and the profane, have the responsibility of burning incense during specific rituals and ceremonies. For instance, priests burn incense during Mass and Adoration to symbolize prayers rising to heaven and to sanctify the altar, preparing it for the sacrifice of the Mass. The altar, being the holiest location in a Catholic Church, is where the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, or the Eucharist, takes place.
Priests also burn incense during funerals, circling the coffin to represent prayers for the deceased and to commemorate the holiness of their body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Additionally, priests may burn incense during the entrance procession, the proclamation of the Gospel, at the offertory, and at the consecration. The act of burning incense is a powerful symbol of the spiritual connection between earth and heaven, mirroring the Biblical description of God's presence as a pillar of smoke by day and a fire by night.
In the Old Testament, the burning of incense was associated with worship and was used by the early Church. Priests, as the consecrated individuals tasked with leading worship, would burn incense as a symbolic offering to God. This practice is also seen in other religious traditions, such as Hinduism, where priests or individuals with home altars offer incense to various forms of God, such as Krishna and Rama.
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Incense in the Old Testament
The burning of incense is mentioned in several books of the Old Testament, including Exodus, Psalms, Isaiah, and Malachi. According to the Bible, God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. Incense was to be burned perpetually before the Lord as a holy act of worship.
The altar of incense is first mentioned in Exodus chapter 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, the brother of Moses, was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. The incense was to be burned continually, symbolizing the perpetual nature of prayer and worship.
In Psalms, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). This verse is often interpreted as comparing the prayers of God's people to the sweet fragrance of incense, rising up to God. The book of Isaiah mentions incense in the context of the Israelites' disobedience and their meaningless offerings, where God says, "Your incense is detestable to me" (Isaiah 1:13).
The prophet Malachi prophesied that incense would be received by God again and offered by all the nations in worship of the Lord in his true Temple (Malachi 1:11; Isaiah 60:6-7). In the time of Christ, incense continued to be offered in the Temple, and the Magi offered incense to the newborn Christ as a symbol of his divinity.
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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 New Testament also refers to the prayers of believers as incense (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 was an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in Jerusalem. The sacred incense was made of costly materials that the congregation contributed. The Book of Exodus describes the recipe as a mixture of sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. All incense that was not made of these ingredients was forbidden to be offered and was rejected as "strange incense" (keTorah zarah, Exodus 30:9). The burning of incense was one of the functions of the priesthood, and only the priests, the sons of Aaron, were consecrated to burn incense.
In the New Testament, the offering of incense is connected to prayer and worship. The smoke of incense in the tabernacle is often interpreted as a symbol of prayer, as seen in Revelation 5:8 and Revelation 8:3-4. The use of incense in Christian worship is still practised today in liturgical rites by various denominations, including the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and some Anglican and Lutheran churches.
However, it is important to note that the Bible does not specifically instruct Christians to burn incense. The use of incense may be associated with pagan religions, and Christians who were previously pagans may struggle with its use. As such, Christians are advised to consider the potential impact of their actions on other believers and to use their freedom to "serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13).
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The importance of intention when burning incense
The Bible mentions incense burning several times, and it is generally associated with worship and offerings to God. The act of burning incense is considered holy and is carried out according to specific instructions from God. However, the intention behind the act is also crucial.
Burning incense is mentioned in the Bible as a form of worship and offering to God. In Exodus, God instructs Moses and Aaron on the times, places, and methods of burning incense, emphasizing its holiness and exclusivity for worship. The high priest played a vital role in burning incense, which was done twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. The Bible also mentions the use of incense inside the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary built by the Israelites during their journey through the desert. The rising smoke from the incense signified their worship ascending to God, while its fragrant aroma represented His acceptance and pleasure.
The Bible also cautions against legalism and mysticism in the use of incense. While Christians are not explicitly instructed to burn incense in Scripture, they must consider the potential impact on others. The use of incense may cause struggle or confusion for those with a weak conscience or those who have converted from paganism due to the association of incense with pagan religions and idolatrous practices. Therefore, Christians are called to use their freedom to serve one another in love, ensuring that their actions do not cause others to stumble in their faith.
Ultimately, the Bible emphasizes that God values sincerity and a broken and repentant heart over mere ritual or sacrifice. The intention behind burning incense should be to enhance one's spiritual experience and expression of worship, rather than falling into legalism or using it as a substitute for genuine devotion. While incense can be a meaningful part of Christian practice, the motivation and heart posture behind it are of utmost importance to God.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense is a divine command from God, who gave Moses and Aaron instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord, and it was a holy act of worship.
The rising smoke from burning incense signified the Israelites' worship ascending to God, and its fragrant aroma depicted His acceptance and pleasure with their devotion. The Bible mentions various uses for incense but gives special attention to the blend burned inside the tabernacle.
The Bible does not instruct Christians to burn incense. However, the Orthodox and Catholic Churches use incense based on the descriptions of worship in Heaven in the book of Revelations. The motivation behind burning incense is crucial; if it is to enhance the spiritual experience, it is considered to be "of the devil, not God".
