Heidi Norton
Incense has been burned for thousands of years and has been used in many cultures and religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and ancient Greek rituals. The burning of incense is mentioned several times in the Bible, including in the Old and New Testaments. The Bible describes incense as a sweet-smelling fragrance that is pleasing to God, and it is often symbolic of prayer and the relationship between God and the people. However, there are differing views on whether burning incense is a practice that pleases God or is a sin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense mentioned in the Bible | Frankincense, myrrh |
| Incense usage | Symbolises prayers rising to God, a sweet-smelling fragrance that pleases God, a medium of communication with God, a protective cloud of smoke over the mercy seat |
| Incense in different religions | Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism |
| Incense in the Bible | References to incense in the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel of Luke |
| Incense burning by priests | High priest, ordinary priests |
| Incense burning consequences | Death for improper usage, leprosy as punishment for violating the law |
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What You'll Learn
Incense as a symbol of prayer
The use of incense is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, and it has been a part of religious and spiritual practices for thousands of years. The act of burning incense is significant in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
In the Bible, incense is often associated with prayer and the relationship between God and His people. The smoke that arises from burning incense is considered to symbolize the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is evident in Psalm 141:2, where the psalmist writes, "Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you." Similarly, in the Book of Revelation, John describes his vision of the heavenly temple, noting that the prayers of the saints rise to God like sweet-smelling incense (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4).
The act of burning incense is not just symbolic but also serves a practical purpose in biblical times. In the Old Testament, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies with burning incense, creating a protective cloud of smoke over the mercy seat, which was the cover of the ark of the covenant (Leviticus 16:12-13). This ritual symbolized the prayers of the people and protected the high priest from the direct presence of God, ensuring his survival.
Incense is also mentioned in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Luke, for example, Zechariah was chosen to place incense on the altar in the temple while the people prayed outside (Luke 1:9-10). As the incense smoke rose, an angel announced to Zechariah that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son, John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-16). This episode further emphasizes the connection between incense and prayer, with the smoke representing the faithful's prayers ascending to God.
The use of incense as a symbol of prayer is not unique to the Bible. In Greek rituals, for instance, burning incense was believed to establish a medium of communication with the gods. Similarly, in many cultures, incense is thought to have medicinal properties and is used in healing practices, such as in Swahili culture, where it is burned to heal the sick.
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Incense in the Old Testament
The Old Testament makes several references to the burning of incense. Incense was offered by the high priest, though the Gospel of Luke indicates a shift in tradition by showing that ordinary priests were also permitted to perform the offering. For instance, Zechariah, entering the temple to burn incense while the people prayed outside, was chosen by lot to place incense on the altar (Luke 1:9-10).
Incense was burned on the altar in the tabernacle and was considered "most holy", with the Israelites prohibited from using the sacred blend for personal use as a fragrance (Exodus 30:36-37). The high priest entered the Holy of Holies with incense burning in a censer, creating a protective cloud of smoke over the mercy seat, which covered the ark of the covenant (Leviticus 16:12-13). The smoke symbolised the prayers of the people and protected the high priest from the direct presence of God, ensuring his survival.
The Old Testament also mentions the severe consequences for the misuse of incense. For example, two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, died for improper worship involving incense (Leviticus 10:1-2). Similarly, King Uzziah was struck with leprosy when he attempted to burn incense in the holy place, violating the law (2 Chronicles 26:16-21).
Incense is also mentioned in the Psalms, where it is associated with prayer: "Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you" (Psalm 141:2). This verse suggests that the fragrant fumes of incense represent the prayers of the godly people, those in a covenant relationship with Jehovah.
The burning of incense has been a practice for thousands of years and has been prevalent in various cultures and religions, including Indian, Chinese, Greek, Egyptian, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic traditions.
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Incense in the New Testament
The New Testament makes several references to incense, including 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 burning of incense is also mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, which shows that ordinary priests were permitted to offer incense, not just the high priest as originally prescribed in the Old Testament. For example, Zechariah, while executing his office as a priest, entered the temple to burn incense while the people prayed outside (Luke 1:9–10).
Incense is also referenced in the Book of Revelation, where it is identified with "the prayers of the saints" (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4). This idea of incense symbolizing prayer is also seen in the Psalms, where David petitions the Lord: "Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you" (Psalm 141:2).
The specific ingredients and processes for making sacred incense were likely closely guarded secrets. The Bible provides some details about the composition of incense, which was made of costly materials contributed by the congregation. According to the Book of Exodus, the Lord instructed Moses to use sweet spices, including stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, in equal weights to create a holy perfume for the tabernacle (Exodus 30:34, 36-37). Onycha is described as the operculum from a shell found in the Red Sea, resembling a fingernail, while galbanum is generally considered Ferula galbaniflua. Pure frankincense is the resin of a tree of the boswellia species.
The use of incense was not limited to the Old Testament; it continued to play a role in religious ceremonies in the New Testament and beyond. In the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Church, and some Lutheran churches, incense is still used in liturgical rites and popular devotions outside of church liturgies.
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Incense offerings by priests
The burning of incense is referenced extensively in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. The practice is described as a significant component of priestly liturgy, with specific instructions for its preparation and use. According to the Book of Exodus, the recipe for the sacred incense included costly materials such as sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. The act of burning incense was performed by priests, specifically the sons of Aaron, who were consecrated for this task.
In the Bible, incense offerings were closely associated with prayer and the relationship between God and the Israelites. The fragrant fumes symbolised the prayers of the people, as indicated in Psalm 141:2: "Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you". The smoke from the incense also served a practical purpose, creating a protective cloud that shielded the high priest from the direct presence of God during rituals in the Holy of Holies. This ritual is described in Leviticus 16:12–13.
The Bible also mentions the altar of incense, which was located in the Holy compartment of the Tabernacle, next to the curtain dividing it from the Most Holy. According to the Books of Chronicles, a similar altar existed in Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. The incense was burned on this altar every morning and evening, and it was to be kept continuously burning. The coals from this altar played a significant role in the Day of Atonement rituals, where they were taken, along with two handfuls of incense, into the Holy of Holies.
The offering of incense was not without its regulations and consequences for misuse. For example, two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, faced severe consequences for improper worship involving incense, as mentioned in Leviticus 10:1–2. Additionally, the Bible distinguishes between the roles of the high priest and ordinary priests in offering incense. While the Old Testament originally required the high priest to offer sacred incense, the Gospel of Luke reveals a shift, indicating that ordinary priests were also permitted to perform this ritual.
The use of incense in the Bible extended beyond the Old Testament. The New Testament also makes typological references to incense, including a Christological reference in Hebrews 9:3–4 and a symbolic representation of the prayers of believers in Revelation 5:8. The practice of burning incense continues to hold significance in liturgical rites within various Christian denominations today.
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Medicinal uses of incense
While the Bible makes numerous references to the burning of incense, there is no explicit mention of its medicinal uses. However, incense played a significant role in religious ceremonies and symbolized the prayers of the people. Here is a detailed description of the medicinal properties of the individual components of the incense described in the Bible.
Stacte, also known as myrrh resin, has been traditionally used to treat wounds and infections due to its antiseptic properties. It was also believed to promote healing and alleviate pain.
Onycha, another component of the sacred incense, was thought to have medicinal properties as well. In ancient times, it was used to treat various ailments, including digestive issues and respiratory problems.
Galbanum, a resin derived from the ferula plant, was believed to possess therapeutic properties. It was used to treat skin conditions, reduce inflammation, and aid in digestion.
Frankincense, a well-known ingredient in incense, has a long history of medicinal use. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties. Frankincense was used to treat wounds, relieve pain, and even promote oral health.
The combination of these ingredients created a sacred incense blend that was highly valued in biblical times. While the primary purpose of this incense was religious, some of the individual components contributed to the medicinal knowledge and practices of ancient cultures.
It is important to note that the medicinal properties mentioned here reflect the traditional uses of these substances. Modern scientific research may provide different insights into the effectiveness and appropriateness of these substances for medicinal purposes.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense is considered to be an act of worship and is symbolic of the prayers of the saints rising up to God.
Frankincense is specifically mentioned in the Bible as a gift brought by the wise men from the East to Jesus upon his birth.
The smoke that arises from burning incense is considered to be a "prayer of the faithful rising to heaven".
There is much debate over whether burning incense is a sin or not. Some say it is an abomination to God, while others believe it is a practice that pleases Him. However, nowhere in the Bible does it say that burning incense is a sin.
