Seamus Hammond
Incense is mentioned throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The burning of incense is described as a divine command, with God giving Moses and Aaron instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. Incense was offered in worship to God, and its sweet fragrance was believed to be pleasing to God and symbolic of prayer. The Bible also mentions that incense was used in heavenly worship, as described in Saint John's Revelation. While the use of incense is not specifically mentioned in early Church Father writings, it is included in the Divine Liturgy of Saint James, one of the oldest Christian liturgies. Today, the burning of incense is still practiced by some Christian denominations, such as Catholics, who use it in purification rituals. However, the decision to burn incense is a matter of personal conviction, and some Christians may choose not to due to its association with pagan religions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense in the Bible | A divine command |
| A holy act of worship | |
| A symbol of prayers arising to God | |
| A sweet fragrance | |
| A symbol of the relationship between God and His people | |
| A part of ritual worship | |
| An act of purification | |
| A symbol of obedience | |
| A reminder that God is pleased when His people pray | |
| An integral part of Orthodox Christian worship |
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What You'll Learn
Incense as a symbol of prayer
Incense is a significant element in the Bible, with 24 verses referring to it. It is mentioned in both the Old Testament and New Testament and is often associated with prayer and worship. The act of burning incense is seen as a holy act of worship, with God giving specific instructions to Moses and Aaron in the Book of Exodus about when, where, and how to burn it.
In the Bible, incense is described as a symbol of prayer, with the smoke rising towards God. In Psalm 141:2, David writes, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." This verse, also found in Psalm 140:2, illustrates the connection between incense and prayer, with the act of burning incense representing the offering of prayers to God.
The use of incense in the Bible is not just a symbolic act but also a practical one. The sweet fragrance of the incense is described as pleasing to God and humans alike. The physical act of burning incense and its fragrance helps worshippers physically and spiritually lift their hearts to God. This idea is further reinforced in Revelation 5:8 and 8:3, where incense in the heavenly temple is connected with "the prayers of the saints."
Incense plays a significant role in the rituals of various Christian denominations, even today. Orthodox Christians, for example, consider incense an integral part of their worship, and it is commonly used in Catholic purification rituals. However, some Christians may have reservations about burning incense due to its association with pagan religions and idolatry. As such, Christians are encouraged to examine their motives for burning incense, ensuring that their focus remains on obedience to God rather than ritualistic practices.
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Burning incense in the Old Testament
Incense was very common in the Old Testament, and even today, some denominations continue to burn incense. The Bible contains 24 verses that refer to incense, from its regulated use in the Old Testament to its depiction in the Gospel of Luke. Incense was used in the religious ceremonies of many ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Phoenicians, and it was also a prominent part of Israelite temple worship.
In the Bible, God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. According to Exodus 30, it was to be burned perpetually before the Lord, and it was a holy act of worship. The incense used in the tabernacle service was made according to a specific recipe of perfumes, including stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense (Exodus 30:34). Incense that was not made with these ingredients was rejected as "strange incense" (Exodus 30:9). Aaron, as high priest, was originally appointed to offer incense each morning and evening, and the people would be removed from the temple during this ritual (Exodus 30:7-8, Luke 1:10).
The burning of incense is symbolic of prayer and the relationship between God and His people. As Psalm 141:2 (or Psalm 140:2 in some translations) says: "Let my prayer be set before you as incense; let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." This verse is also found in Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4, where incense is used in heavenly worship and is connected to "the prayers of the saints." Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, and its sweet fragrance is both pleasing to our senses and helps us lift our hearts to God.
However, the Bible also warns against the misuse of incense. When the Israelites fell into sin and idolatry, their offering of incense was hated by God (Isaiah 1:13), as it was not a true expression of worship. Christians today may also struggle with the use of incense due to its historical association with pagan religions and idolatrous practices. Ultimately, the decision to burn incense or not is a matter of personal conviction, and Christians must prioritize obedience to God over rituals or sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22).
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Incense in Orthodox Christian worship
The burning of incense is a practice steeped in rich symbolism and history in Orthodox Christian worship. It is considered a vital part of worship that engages the senses and enhances the spiritual experience of the faithful. The use of incense in Orthodox liturgy dates back to ancient times, with biblical references to its use in heavenly worship, such as in Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4.
In Orthodox Christian practice, incense is burned in a gold censer, ignited by burning charcoal. The censer is typically suspended by chains and swung, although a hand censer may also be used. The priest and/or deacon use the censer to venerate all four sides of the altar, the Holy Gifts, the clergy, the congregation, icons, and the church structure itself.
The symbolism associated with incense in Orthodox Christianity is profound. It is believed to represent the transcendental presence of God Himself, with the aromatic fumes purifying and sanctifying both the congregation and the space of any impurities. This idea is reflected in the Psalms, where it is written, "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense," illustrating the connection between incense and prayer. Incense is also seen as a foretaste of heavenly worship, carrying the prayers of the saints and martyrs up to God.
The historical roots of incense in Orthodox Christian worship can be traced back to early Judaic practices, where incense was a regular part of temple rituals. As Christianity spread through various cultures, the Eastern Christian churches, including the Orthodox Church, preserved these early rituals and formalized the use of incense in their services. By the fourth century, church fathers like St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great wrote about the purpose and symbolism of incense, further cementing its place in Orthodox worship.
Today, the burning of incense remains an integral part of Orthodox Christian worship, with its aromatic appeal and symbolic significance continuing to resonate with the faithful. Athonite Style Incense, for example, is still made by monks as part of their daily obediences and used in church and home settings.
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Incense and idolatry
Incense has been burned for thousands of years and has been a part of many religious practices, including those of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The Bible mentions incense in 24 verses, and it is referenced in both the Old and New Testaments.
In the Bible, incense is offered to God in worship and is said to be used in accordance with God's divine command. God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord and was a holy act of worship (Exodus 30). Incense was also offered in the Temple (1/3 Kings 9:25).
However, when the people fell away into sin and idolatry, their offering of incense was hated by God (Isaiah 1:13). This was because the act was not a true expression of loving worship, and the incense meant only for the true God was offered to Baal and other idols.
The Bible warns against using any practices for the wrong reasons, such as idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14-22). Burning incense and offering it to false gods is considered participating in idol worship. For example, during the Cesarean reign, the Caesars proclaimed themselves as gods and demanded the burning of incense in their presence, which is considered idolatry.
Despite these warnings, some Christians continue to burn incense as a symbol of their prayers arising to God and as a sweet sacrifice. Orthodox Christians, in particular, consider incense an integral part of their worship, striving to replicate the heavenly worship described in Saint John's Revelation (5:8). Catholics also typically burn holy incense in church as part of purification rituals by priests.
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Incense ingredients
Incense is an aromatic substance made of gums and spices, burned especially during religious worship. The Bible mentions various uses for incense but gives special attention to the blend burned inside the tabernacle. The mixture that God instructed Moses to prepare consisted of plant and shellfish extracts.
The Book of Exodus describes the recipe as follows: "Take unto yourself sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And you shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together [salted], pure and holy".
Stacte is derived from the myrrh resin, which exudes spontaneously from the tree. Onycha is made from ground mollusk shell scrapings. It is likely that the onycha of the biblical era was derived from the opercula of the Murex sea snail, which produces a pleasant-smelling smoke when burned. Galbanum is a resin obtained from the ferula plant, and frankincense is a resin derived from the Boswellia tree. Salt is also added to the blend.
The Talmud lists additional ingredients used in the incense of the Second Temple, including myrrh, cassia, spikenard, saffron, costus, aromatic rind, cinnamon, lye from leeks, Cyprus wine, and salt of Sodom.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, incense is mentioned in the Bible, from the Old Testament to the Gospel of Luke and Saint John's Revelation.
The burning of incense is a holy act of worship. It is emblematic of prayer and the relationship between God and His people. Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his own divine command.
The Bible mentions sweet incense (Exodus 25:6) compounded of perfumes such as stacte, onycha, galbanum and pure frankincense (Exodus 30:34). Incense not compounded in this way was rejected as "strange incense" (Exodus 30:9).
God gave Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was burned perpetually before the Lord, and when the priest entered the holy place with the incense, all the people were removed from the temple.
The Bible does not specifically instruct Christians to burn incense. Some Christians continue to burn incense as part of their worship, while others do not. The decision to burn incense or not is a matter of personal conviction and should take into account the potential impact on other Christians who may associate incense with idolatrous practices.
