Lance Carson
The altar of incense is mentioned in Exodus 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. The Bible describes the recipe for the sacred incense as a mixture of costly spices, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, in equal weights. The incense was burned on the altar of incense, located in the Holy Place, every morning and evening as a regular offering to the Lord. The smoke from the incense symbolized the prayers of God's people ascending to God, and the altar itself represented the work of prayer offered by the Israelites unto the Lord.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Placement | At the end of the Holy compartment of the tabernacle, next to the curtain dividing it from the Most Holy |
| Materials | Gold and acacia wood |
| Shape | Square, one cubit per side, and two cubits high |
| Accessories | Four "horns", one at each corner, and rings of gold built into the altar so that it could be carried with acacia wood poles |
| Incense ingredients | Sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense (according to the Book of Exodus); the Talmud lists additional components, and Josephus mentions thirteen ingredients |
| Burning schedule | Every morning and evening |
| Fire source | Always taken from the altar of burnt offering outside the sanctuary |
| Symbolism | The prayers of God's people, ascending to God |
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What You'll Learn
The altar of incense was made of gold and acacia wood
The altar of incense, mentioned in Exodus chapter 30, was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It was a perfect square, with each side measuring one cubit, or approximately twenty inches, and a height of two cubits, or just under four feet. The altar featured four "horns", one at each corner, and rings of gold built into its sides, through which acacia poles could be slipped for transport.
The altar of incense was placed in the Holy Place of the tabernacle, before the veil that separated it from the Holy of Holies. Here, Aaron burned incense each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. The incense was made from costly materials, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, in equal measure.
The burning of incense is often associated with prayer in Scripture. For example, David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). The smoke of the incense is thought to symbolise the prayers of God's people ascending to God, just as the smoke ascends to the sanctuary.
The altar of incense was also significant in the ritual of the Day of Atonement. Once a year, the high priest would place blood on the horns of the altar to cleanse it, and coals from the altar would be taken, along with incense, into the Holy of Holies.
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The incense was burned morning and evening
The burning of incense in the tabernacle is a significant practice in Judaism and Christianity. The Bible mentions the altar of incense in Exodus 30, describing it as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. This altar was made of acia wood and overlaid with gold, with four "horns" at each corner. It 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, the high priest, was instructed to burn incense on this altar every morning and evening as a regular offering to the Lord. The incense was composed of costly and fragrant materials, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, carefully measured and mixed according to a divine recipe. The burning of incense symbolized the prayers of God's people, ascending to God like the smoke rising from the altar.
The practice of burning incense in the morning and evening was not merely a ritual but held deeper spiritual significance. It represented the work of the Israelites, their prayers, and their devotion to the Lord. The sweet-smelling incense also served as a reminder to the Israelites that their prayers were pleasing to God. Additionally, the altar of incense was seen as a symbol of Christ's mediation, representing His work on earth and in heaven.
The incense offering was not to be taken lightly, as God stipulated that only authorized incense could be burned on the altar, and it was never to be used for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or drink offerings. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would cleanse the altar by sprinkling it with blood, emphasizing the holiness and sanctity of the practice.
The burning of incense in the tabernacle continues to hold significance in Christian liturgy, with some denominations, such as the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, still using incense in their rituals. The smoke of incense is often interpreted as a representation of the prayers of believers, a symbolism that has also found expression in medieval Christian art.
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The recipe for the incense was given by God
The recipe for the incense burned in the tabernacle was given by God. According to the Book of Exodus, God instructed Moses to take specific sweet spices, including stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, in equal amounts. These spices were to be blended and tempered together, resulting in a holy and pure perfume. This incense was to be burned on the altar of incense, which was located in the Holy Place of the tabernacle.
The altar of incense was constructed from acia wood and overlaid with gold, similar to the altar of sacrifice. It featured four "horns" at each corner and rings of gold, allowing it to be carried with poles. The altar 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, the priest, was tasked with burning incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a daily offering to the Lord. The incense was always to be taken from the altar of burnt offering outside the sanctuary, and the altar of incense was never to be used for burnt, grain, or drink offerings. The high priest would also put blood on the horns of the altar once a year on the Day of Atonement to cleanse it.
The incense and its offering held significant symbolic value. The smoke from the burning incense represented the prayers of God's people ascending to the Lord. It signified the intercession of Christ, acting as a mediator between the people and God. The sweet-smelling incense also served as a reminder for Israel to pray and assured them that their prayers were pleasing to God.
The recipe for the incense was considered sacred, and God stipulated that no other incense should be burned on the altar. The specific ingredients and their careful preparation ensured that the incense was fit for use in the wilderness Tabernacle and as an offering to God.
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The incense symbolised the prayers of God's people
The burning of incense in the Tabernacle is a significant symbol in the Bible. The Tabernacle was the Holy Place of God, and the altar of incense was placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Testimony resided. The incense burned on this altar symbolised the prayers of God's people, ascending to God.
The Bible describes the recipe for the sacred incense, which was to be made from costly materials contributed by the congregation. The Book of Exodus mentions four components: sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum, with pure frankincense. The rabbis of the Talmud, however, expanded this to eleven ingredients, with three hundred and sixty-eight mina in total. The Kohen Gadol would bring two handfuls of the incense mixture into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur.
Aaron, and later the priests, were instructed to burn incense on the altar every morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. The smoke from the incense symbolised the prayers of God's people, constantly ascending before the Lord. This symbolism is reflected in Scripture, where incense is often associated with prayer. For instance, in Psalm 141:2, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense".
The altar of incense, therefore, serves as a reminder to pray and an assurance that our prayers are acceptable and pleasing to God through the mediation of Jesus Christ. The purification of the altar with blood symbolises how our prayers are made acceptable through Christ's sacrifice. Similarly, just as the sweet fragrance of the incense was pleasing to God, our prayers are made pleasing to God through Christ's intercession.
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The smoke from the incense ascended to God
The burning of incense in the tabernacle is a significant practice in Judaism and Christianity. According to the Bible, God gave the recipe for the incense to be burned in the tabernacle, and this sacred incense was made from costly materials contributed by the congregation. The Book of Exodus lists four components of the incense: sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum, with each weighing the same amount. However, the Talmud lists additional components, and Josephus mentions a total of thirteen ingredients. The incense was burned on an altar made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, placed in the Holy Place of the tabernacle.
The altar of incense was located 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, or a priest, was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. The smoke from the incense ascended towards the Holy of Holies, symbolizing the prayers of God's people rising to God. This is reflected in Scripture, where incense is often associated with prayer, such as in Psalm 141:2, where David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense."
The altar of incense, therefore, serves as a reminder to pray and an assurance that our prayers are pleasing to God. The constant burning of incense signifies that we should always be in a state of prayer. Additionally, the incense and its smoke symbolize the mediation of Christ, who intercedes on our behalf, making our prayers acceptable through his sacrifice.
In conclusion, the smoke from the incense ascending towards the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle is a powerful symbol of the prayers of God's people rising to God. It reflects the importance of prayer and the mediatorial role of Christ in ensuring that our prayers are acceptable offerings.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense was burned in the tabernacle. The recipe for the incense was provided by God and included costly materials such as sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense.
Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight. Only priests could burn incense in the tabernacle, serving as mediators between the people and God.
Incense was burned as a symbol of the prayers of God's people, ascending to God. The smoke from the incense symbolized the constant presence of God's people before the Lord.
