Antonio Mcgowan
The altar of incense, also known as the golden altar, was a symbol of prayer and worship in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. It was constructed from acacia wood overlaid with gold and stood approximately 18 inches square by 36 inches high. The sweet-smelling smoke from the incense represented the people's prayers ascending to God, and the altar itself served as a reminder to the Israelites of the central role that prayer should play in their lives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symbolism | The smoke from the incense symbolizes the people's prayers ascending to God |
| The altar of incense is also referred to as the golden altar because it was overlaid with gold | |
| The incense was burned in the king's presence to mask the odors of the livestock and to pay tribute to his position | |
| The altar of incense formed a corresponding pillar of smoke to accompany the lampstand's pillar of fire | |
| The altar of incense reminded Israel to pray and assured the people their prayers were sweet-smelling to the Lord | |
| The incense was a continuous act, just as people are told to "pray without ceasing" | |
| The incense was made from gum resin, a tree sap; onycha, made from a shellfish common in the Red Sea; galbanum, made from plants in the parsley family; and frankincense, all in equal amounts, along with salt | |
| The altar of incense was placed outside the Holy of Holies chamber so regular priests could care for it daily | |
| The altar of incense was made with gold and acacia wood | |
| The altar of incense was placed alongside the lampstand and the table of showbread in the Holy Place outside the Most Holy Place |
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What You'll Learn
The altar of incense symbolised the prayers of God's people
The altar of incense was a symbol of the prayers of God's people. In Scripture, incense is often associated with prayer. In Psalm 141:2, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). This imagery is also present in Revelation 5:8 and 8:3, where John describes the prayers of the saints ascending to God as bowls of incense.
The altar of incense in the wilderness tabernacle served as a reminder to the Israelites of the central role that prayer should play in their lives. The sweet-smelling smoke from the incense symbolized the people's prayers rising to God, just as the smoke ascended to the heavens. This symbolism is further reinforced by the placement of the altar outside the veil, allowing the priest to witness the smoke entering the Holy of Holies, despite being unable to see beyond the curtain.
The construction of the altar of incense was guided by God's detailed instructions to Moses. It stood in the Holy Place, alongside the golden lampstand and the table of showbread. The altar was crafted from acia wood, overlaid with pure gold, and adorned with horns on each corner. The incense burned on this altar was made from a sacred mixture of gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, along with salt, creating a distinct fragrance.
The priests played a crucial role in tending to the altar of incense daily. They brought burning coals from the brazen altar and refilled the special incense mixture twice daily, ensuring that the fragrant smoke rose continuously. The priests acted as mediators between the people and God, symbolically bringing their prayers into His presence.
Today, Christians no longer require priestly mediators, as they can approach God through Jesus Christ, their Great High Priest. However, the altar of incense continues to symbolize the importance of prayer and worship, reminding believers that their prayers are pleasing to God when offered sincerely in the name of Jesus.
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The smoke from the incense was a constant reminder of people's prayers ascending to God
The altar of incense has been a significant part of worship in the tabernacle and temple. The smoke from the incense is believed to symbolize people's prayers ascending to God. This idea is expressed in Psalm 141:2, where David prays, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense".
In Scripture, incense is often associated with prayer. In his vision of heaven, John saw that the elders around the throne "were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people" (Revelation 5:8; cf. 8:3). Similarly, in Luke 1:10, while Zechariah the priest was offering incense in the temple, "all the assembled worshipers were praying outside".
The altar of incense, therefore, can be seen as a symbol of the prayers of God’s people. The smoke from the incense, constantly rising from the altar, was a reminder of the people's prayers ascending to God. The priests who offered the incense served as mediators between the people and God, bringing their prayers into His presence.
In other cultures, the direction and shape of the smoke from burning incense also hold symbolic value. For example, in Chinese and Japanese traditions, the direction and shape of the smoke can represent luck, guidance, or the state of one's mind. Some believe that certain patterns in the smoke can predict future events or indicate how connected someone is to the spiritual world. Thick and dense smoke, for instance, can indicate that one's energy field is clouded with negativity, while upward-rising smoke can symbolize growth or elevation.
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The incense was made from a special mixture of ingredients
The altar of incense is a symbol of the prayers of God’s people. The smoke from the incense constantly rising from the altar symbolises the prayers of God’s people constantly ascending before the Lord.
> Take unto yourself sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be an equal amount. And you shall make it into a perfume, carefully blended, pure and holy.
Stacte is described as the extract of the transparent portion of the myrrh resin, which exudes spontaneously from the tree. Alternatively, it is described as a balsam from a tree. Onycha is the ground-up crusts of a shellfish native to the Red Sea. The incense was to be regarded as holy and belonging to the Lord.
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The altar was made from gold and acacia wood
The altar of incense is a symbol of the prayers of God’s people. In Scripture, incense is often associated with prayer. For example, in Psalm 141:2, David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2).
The altar in the temple was made from gold and acacia wood. Gold is a precious metal that is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. It is associated with great value and is used in worshipping Yahweh. In the Bible, gold is also associated with royalty and nobility. It is described as being a part of every household treasure and was often brought back by pilgrims from Mecca.
Acacia wood, on the other hand, is known for its durability and strength. It was likely one of the only types of wood available to the Israelites during their wilderness journey, as acacia trees were common in the regions they travelled. The use of acacia wood in the construction of the altar, and other objects in the tabernacle, ensured that these structures would endure for generations.
The combination of gold and acacia wood in the altar of incense thus symbolizes the value and importance of prayer to God's people, as well as the endurance and strength of their faith.
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The altar was a symbol of worship
The altar of incense was an important part of the worship of the Tabernacle and the temple. Priests would burn incense on the altar, and the fragrant smoke from the incense symbolized the people's prayers ascending to God. This is reflected in Scripture, where incense is often associated with prayer. For example, in Psalm 141:2, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:1-2, JPS 1917).
The altar of incense served as a reminder to the Israelites that prayer must be central in their relationship with God. The act of burning incense was a continuous one, symbolizing the constant offering of prayers to God. The sweet-smelling smoke from the incense also served to mask the unpleasant odors of livestock and to pay tribute to the king's position.
In addition to its symbolic value, the altar of incense had practical significance in the rituals performed by the priests. The blood of sin offerings was placed on the horns of the altar during the annual Day of Atonement. The incense burner also provided a protective cloud of smoke under which the high priest could safely bring the blood of purification offerings into the Holy of Holies.
Today, the altar of incense is no longer required for new covenant worship. Christians can now approach God through the mediation of Jesus Christ, their Great High Priest, without the need for priestly mediators or the burning of incense.
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Frequently asked questions
The altar of incense is a symbol of prayer and worship. The smoke from the incense symbolizes the prayers of God's people constantly ascending before the Lord.
The altar of incense was made of gold and acacia wood. It was not large, about 18 inches square by 36 inches high.
The incense burned on the altar was made from a mixture of gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, along with salt.
