Anisha Riggs
The altar of incense was one of the items inside the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, mentioned in Exodus chapter 30. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with four horns at each corner. The incense burned on the altar was made from a mixture of gum resin, tree sap, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, along with salt. The smoke from the incense symbolized the prayers of God's people rising to God and served as a reminder to the Israelites of the importance of prayer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First mentioned in | Exodus chapter 30 |
| Size | 18 inches square by 36 inches high |
| Materials | Acacia wood and gold |
| Shape | Square with four "horns" |
| Placement | Before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies |
| Incense ingredients | Gum resin, onycha, galbanum, frankincense, and salt |
| Purpose | Symbol of the prayers of God's people |
| Ritual | Aaron was instructed to burn incense every morning and at twilight |
| Cleansing | The high priest put blood on the horns once a year on the Day of Atonement |
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What You'll Learn
- The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold
- The incense was burned morning and evening
- The incense symbolised the prayers of God's people
- The incense was made from a mixture of gum resin, onycha, galbanum, frankincense and salt
- The altar was purified with blood on the Day of Atonement
The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold
The Tabernacle was a portable earthly dwelling place for God, constructed by the Israelites during their exodus following their liberation from Egypt by Moses. The Tabernacle contained a Holy Place, where the altar of incense was located.
The use of gold and acacia wood in the construction of the altar of incense, as well as its placement in the Holy Place, reflected its importance and sacredness. The materials used were fit for a king, and the altar was considered “most holy to the Lord” (Exodus 30:10).
The altar of incense played a significant role in the rituals and symbolism of the Tabernacle. Aaron, and later the priests, were instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord (Exodus 30:7-8). The incense was made from a mixture of fine spices, including gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, along with salt, creating a sweet-smelling smoke that filled the Tabernacle.
The smoke from the incense symbolized the prayers of God's people rising up to God, an idea reflected in Scripture, such as Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 5:8. The altar of incense thus served as a reminder to the Israelites of the importance of prayer in their spiritual lives.
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The incense was burned morning and evening
The burning of incense in the morning and evening was a significant ritual in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The altar of incense, mentioned in Exodus chapter 30, was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It stood about two cubits high, with a square top of about one cubit on each side. The altar had four "horns", one on each corner, and rings of gold built into it, allowing it to be carried with wooden poles.
Aaron, the high priest, was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a daily offering to the Lord. The incense was always to be burning, symbolising the perpetual nature of prayer and Christ's mediation. The smoke rising from the altar represented the prayers of God's people ascending to God, as mentioned in Psalm 141:2, "May my prayer be set before you like incense".
The incense was made from costly materials, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, as prescribed by God in the Book of Exodus. The fire used to burn the incense was taken from the altar of the burnt offering outside the sanctuary. The altar of incense was never to be used for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or drink offerings.
The burning of incense was not just a ritual but also held symbolic significance. It represented the prayers of God's people, rising like the smoke of incense before the Lord. The altar of incense, along with the lampstand and the showbread, served a symbolic role in the tabernacle, reminding God's people of His presence and blessing.
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The incense symbolised the prayers of God's people
The altar of incense was a significant part of the tabernacle, mentioned in the book of Exodus. It stood in the Holy Place, constructed out of acia wood and overlaid with gold. The altar was small, about 18 inches square and two cubits (36 inches) high, with a "horn" on each corner.
The incense itself was made from a sacred recipe of gum resin, onycha, galbanum, frankincense, and salt. The sweet-smelling smoke from the incense symbolised the prayers of God's people, rising up to God. This is reflected in Scripture, which often compares incense to prayer, such as in Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 5:8. The smoke rising above the veil and into the Holy of Holies demonstrated that the prayers of God's people entered heaven itself, even though the people could not see past the curtain.
The incense was burned morning and evening, and the smoke was a constant reminder to the people that their prayers were being carried to God. The priests, who were the only ones allowed to offer incense, served as mediators between the people and God, bringing the prayers of the people into His presence.
The altar of incense, therefore, served as a powerful symbol of the importance of prayer in the lives of God's people. It reminded them that their prayers were acceptable and pleasing to God, much like the sweet fragrance of the incense.
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The incense was made from a mixture of gum resin, onycha, galbanum, frankincense and salt
The altar of incense is first mentioned in Exodus chapter 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The top of the altar was square, with each side measuring one cubit (approximately twenty inches or just under two feet), and the whole altar was two cubits high. The altar of incense was constructed from acacia wood and covered in gold. It featured four "horns," one at each corner, and gold rings that allowed it to be carried with acacia wood poles.
The incense burned on this altar was made from a specific mixture of aromatic substances, including gum resin, onycha, galbanum, frankincense, and salt. God provided the recipe for this incense, instructing Moses to use equal parts of these ingredients to create a blend that was "pure and holy." Onycha, also known as sheheleth, is believed to be derived from the dried and processed secretions of a group of mollusk opercula found in the Red Sea. These opercula, or "lids," resemble fingernails and have been used as a fixative in incense mixtures in various ancient cultures.
The incense was burned on the altar of incense twice daily, in the morning and at twilight, by Aaron or other appointed priests. This ritual was a regular offering to the Lord and held symbolic significance. The rising smoke from the incense represented the prayers of God's people ascending to the Lord. Additionally, the incense may have served a practical purpose by purifying the air, as the smell of blood from animal sacrifices would have polluted the atmosphere.
The altar of incense was considered "most holy to the Lord," and strict instructions were given regarding its use. 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 perform a cleansing ritual by applying blood to the horns of the altar of incense.
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The altar was purified with blood on the Day of Atonement
The altar of incense is a significant component of the tabernacle, mentioned in Exodus chapter 30. Crafted from acacia wood and overlaid with gold, it stood two cubits high, with a square top measuring one cubit on each side. Four horns adorned its corners, and rings of gold were affixed to it, enabling the altar to be carried with acacia wood poles. Aaron, as instructed, burned incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a daily offering to the Lord.
The altar of incense held profound symbolic value. Incense served as a metaphor for the prayers of God's people, constantly rising before the Lord. The priests, who were the only ones permitted to offer incense, acted as mediators between the people and God, symbolically bringing their prayers into His presence.
The altar of incense played a crucial role in the worship of the tabernacle and temple, though it is no longer required for new covenant worship. Its significance lay not only in its sensory appeal but also in its symbolic representation of the prayers of God's people, constantly ascending before Him.
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Frequently asked questions
The altar of incense is a gold-plated acacia wood structure mentioned in Exodus chapter 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle.
The incense symbolizes the prayers of God's people, rising to God like smoke. The altar also serves as a reminder to the Israelites that prayer must play a central role in their lives.
The inner structure of the altar was made of acia wood and overlaid with gold. It was approximately 18 inches square and 36 inches high, with a horn on each corner.
The altar of incense was placed in the Holy Place of the tabernacle, outside the Most Holy Place. It stood between the golden lampstand and the table of showbread.
The incense was made from a mixture of gum resin, onycha, galbanum, frankincense, and salt. God gave the recipe for this incense and stipulated that no other incense was to be burned on the altar.
