Anisha Riggs
The altar of incense, also known as the Golden Altar, was a significant piece of furniture in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, standing alongside the lampstand and the table of showbread. The altar was constructed of acacia wood and covered in pure gold, with a rectangular shape and 'horns' on each corner. The incense burned on this altar was made from a specific mixture of fine spices, including gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, along with salt. This incense produced a sweet-smelling smoke that symbolized the prayers of God's people rising up to Him. The altar of incense served as a reminder to the Israelites about the importance of prayer in their spiritual lives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Placement | Placed outside the Holy of Holies chamber so regular priests could care for it daily |
| Location | Placed alongside the lampstand and the table of showbread in the Holy Place outside the Most Holy Place |
| Materials | Gold and acacia wood |
| Design | Upright rectangular stand, measuring one cubit wide, one cubit deep, and two cubits high, with a "horn" on each corner, a border of gold around the top, and rings on opposite sides through which poles could be passed to carry it |
| Incense | 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 |
| Incense Burning | Burning continuously, symbolizing the prayers of God's people constantly ascending before the Lord |
| Incense Offering | Had to take place after the sacrifice, because only after the atonement could communion with God take place |
| Incense Symbolism | Symbolized the prayers of God's people constantly ascending before the Lord |
| Incense in the New Temple | No longer required for new covenant worship |
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What You'll Learn
The altar of incense was made of gold and acacia wood
The altar of incense was a vital part of worship in the tabernacle and temple. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with four "horns", one at each corner. The altar was constructed using materials fit for a king, reflecting its importance in the worship of the Lord. The gold and acacia wood altar stood two cubits high, with each side of the square top measuring one cubit.
The altar of incense was a symbol of the prayers of God's people, as mentioned in Psalm 141:2, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense". The smoke from the incense, constantly rising from the altar, symbolized the prayers of the Israelites ascending to God. This idea is expressed in Revelation 5:8, where John describes the elders around the throne holding "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people".
The altar of incense was placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Testimony resided, symbolizing God's presence. Aaron 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 continuously, symbolizing the perpetual nature of prayer and mediation.
The altar of incense was also connected with sacrificial rituals. During the Day of Atonement, the high priest would smear the blood of a sin offering on the horns of the altar, symbolizing the need for atonement and purification. The altar of incense, with its gold and acacia wood construction, served as a reminder of the importance of prayer and sacrifice in the worship of God.
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It was placed outside the Holy of Holies
The Altar of Incense was a significant aspect of worship in the Tabernacle and Temple. It was placed outside the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place in the Tabernacle, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. This placement allowed the priests to tend to the altar regularly, as incense was burned on it daily during the morning and evening sacrifices. The incense was made from a specific mixture of fine spices, including gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, with the addition of salt. The sweet-smelling smoke from the burning incense symbolized the prayers of the people rising up to God, as mentioned in Psalm 141:2, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense."
The Altar of Incense was constructed according to detailed instructions given by God to Moses. It stood about 36 inches high and was made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold. It had a rectangular shape with a horn on each corner, a gold border around the top, and rings on opposite sides for inserting poles to carry it. The use of gold and precious materials in its construction reflected its importance and symbolic connection to royalty and the presence of God.
The altar played a crucial role in the sacrificial rituals of Israel. When a sin offering was required due to the high priest's failure, the blood of the offering was smeared on the horns of the altar and poured out at its base. This purification ritual was performed annually on Yom Kippur by the High Priest, who sacrificed a bull and a goat and purified the Holy of Holies with their blood.
The Altar of Incense served as a reminder to the Israelites that prayer should be central in their spiritual lives. It also represented the work of the Israelites offered to the Lord, emphasizing the importance of prayer in their relationship with God. Today, Christians continue to view their prayers as pleasing to God, offered through Jesus Christ as our mediator and high priest.
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The incense symbolised the prayers of God's people
The altar of incense was a significant component of the worship of God's people in the tabernacle and temple. It was situated in the Holy Place, before the veil, and stood in front of the Holy of Holies. The altar was constructed with a wooden inner structure, overlaid with pure gold, and featured a rectangular shape with horns on each corner. The incense burned on this altar was made from a specific mixture of fine spices, including gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, along with salt. This incense produced a sweet-smelling smoke that symbolised the prayers of God's people rising up to God.
The symbolism of the incense as prayers is expressed in Psalm 141:2, where David prays, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense." Additionally, the altar of incense served as a reminder to the Israelites about the importance of prayer in their spiritual lives. The smoke from the incense, constantly rising, represented the constant ascension of their prayers before the Lord.
The altar of incense also had a practical purpose. Incense was burned to mask unpleasant odours, such as those from livestock, and this function extended to the spiritual realm, where it symbolised the purification of sins and the mediation of Christ. The incense was burned daily, at specific times, and its preparation and offering were restricted to authorised individuals, such as priests, who served as mediators between the people and God.
In the New Testament, the role of incense and the altar undergoes a transition. In the new temple, which is the church, the old priestly rituals are replaced by what they symbolised—the prayers of the saints. Through Christ, believers can now approach God directly, without the need for priestly mediators, and their prayers are made acceptable through His atoning sacrifice.
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The smoke from the incense ascended to God
The altar of incense was a significant aspect of worship in the tabernacle and temple of Israel. It was made of gold and acacia wood, with poles for transportation, and was placed outside the Most Holy Place. The incense, made from fine spices, was burned continuously, and the smoke that ascended from it symbolized the prayers of God's people rising to God. This idea is expressed in Psalm 141:2, where David prays, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense".
The altar of incense also served a practical purpose, as incense was often burned to mask unpleasant odors. Additionally, it represented the work of the Israelites offered to the Lord, just as the lampstand and table of showbread symbolized God's provision for His people.
In the New Testament, the old priestly rituals have been replaced by what they symbolized. Believers can now approach God directly through Christ, our Great High Priest, without the need for priestly mediators. However, the symbolism of incense as a representation of prayer remains, as seen in Revelation 8:4, which mentions the smoke of incense rising with the prayers of the saints.
Overall, the smoke from the incense ascending to God serves as a powerful reminder of the constant prayers and devotion of God's people, made possible through the mediation and atoning sacrifice of Christ.
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The incense was burned daily
The altar of incense was a significant part of the worship of the tabernacle and temple in the Bible. It was placed in the Holy Place, before the veil, outside the Holy of Holies. The altar was constructed of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold, and stood about 3 feet tall. It was an upright rectangular stand, with a horn on each corner, a border of gold around the top, and rings on opposite sides through which poles could be passed to carry it.
The altar of incense reminded the Israelites that prayer must play a central role in their lives, and it served as a visual representation of their prayers ascending to God. The incense was to be burned continually, symbolizing the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation and the importance of constant prayer.
The altar of incense was also connected with sacrificial rituals. When a sin offering was required, the blood of the offering was smeared on the horns of the altar and poured out at its base. The altar was purified annually on Yom Kippur, when the High Priest sacrificed a bull and a goat and smeared their mixed blood on the altar's four corners.
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Frequently asked questions
The altar of incense is a golden altar where incense is burned. It is also known as the Inner Altar and is placed in the Holy of Holies.
The altar of incense symbolizes the prayers of God's people rising up to God. The smoke from the incense is considered a sweet-smelling savor to God.
The altar of incense is made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold. It has four golden horns, one on each corner, and golden rings on the sides for inserting poles to carry it.
The incense used on the altar is made from a mixture of gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, along with salt. This mixture is burned on the altar day and night, and the sweet-smelling smoke rises up to God.
