Anisha Riggs
The use of incense as an offering is referenced in both the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible. In the Old Testament, incense was offered on a special altar in the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. The incense was to be burned continuously, and the smoke was thought to symbolise prayer. The New Testament makes several typological references to incense, including a Christological reference to the coals from the altar of incense taken on the Day of Atonement. In Christian typology, the smoke of incense in the tabernacle signifies offered prayer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense offering in | Judaism |
| Incense offering in Hebrew | קְטֹרֶת qəṭōreṯ |
| Incense offering in the Bible | Old Testament, Gospel of Luke, New Testament |
| Incense offering in the New Testament | Hebrews 9:3-4, Revelation 5:8 |
| Incense offering in the Old Testament | Leviticus 10:1-2, Leviticus 16:16, Exodus 30:9-10,36-38 |
| Incense offering in the Gospel of Luke | Luke 1:9-16 |
| Incense offering components in the Book of Exodus | Stacte, Onycha, Galbanum, Frankincense |
| Incense offering components in the Talmud | 7 additional components |
| Incense offering in the Belgic Confession | Article 25 |
| Incense offering in the Anglican Church | Used in liturgical rites |
| Incense offering in prayer | "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2) |
| Incense offering in Revelation | Golden vessels full of incense offered to God (Revelation 5:9-10) |
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What You'll Learn
The incense offering is emblematic of prayer
The use of incense as an offering is a significant aspect of religious rituals, particularly in Judaism and Christianity. The Book of Exodus details the recipe for the sacred incense, which was to be made from costly materials contributed by the congregation. This offering was to be burned on the altar of incense, situated in the Holy Place before the mercy seat of the Ark.
The act of burning incense represents the perpetual nature of prayer. Just as the incense was to burn continually, believers are encouraged to always pray and offer their petitions to God. The smoke of the incense ascending towards heaven symbolises the ascension of prayers to God.
The altar of incense also signifies Christ's mediation on our behalf. Christ's intercession is a sweet-smelling savour to God, and through faith in Him, believers can now enter God's holy presence with full assurance. The incense offering reminds Christians of the importance of a humble and contrite heart before God, emphasising that rituals and formalities are insufficient without a sincere relationship with Him.
In conclusion, the incense offering serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of prayer in the lives of believers. It symbolises the act of lifting up one's prayers to God, the sweetness of prayers that please Him, and the mediation provided by Christ that grants us access to His presence.
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Incense is a symbol of the prayers of God's people
The use of incense in the Bible is often associated with prayer. In Scripture, incense is described as being representative of the prayers of God's people. In Psalm 141:2, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). Similarly, in Revelation 5:8, John describes the elders around the throne as "holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people".
Incense is also mentioned in Luke 1:10, where Zechariah the priest was offering incense in the temple while the people prayed outside. The smoke of the incense wafting up to God symbolises the ascent of prayers to God. The perpetual burning of incense on the altar of incense signifies the importance of constant prayer (Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
The altar of incense was considered "most holy to the Lord" (Exodus 30:10, 36-37), and its exclusive use for worship was emphasised. God's instructions prohibited the Israelites from using the sacred blend for personal use as a fragrance (Exodus 30:9,38). The incense offering was to be made from costly materials contributed by the congregation, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum, blended with pure frankincense (Exodus).
The sweet fragrance of the burning incense is symbolic of the pleasing aroma of prayers to God. God considers the prayers of believers to be like a sweet smell, a fruit of His salvation work. Prayer is an act of gratitude and communion with God, a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. It is a means of expressing our dependence on God and our need for His grace and redemption.
Thus, the use of incense in the Bible serves as a reminder that God delights in the prayers of His people and desires a close relationship with them. The act of burning incense symbolises the offering of prayers, which ascend to God as a sweet-smelling savour.
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Incense is always burning, so we should always pray
The burning of incense is a significant practice in the Bible, and its meaning and significance have been interpreted in various ways. One interpretation is that the burning of incense symbolizes prayer and the relationship between God and God's people.
Incense is often associated with prayer in Scripture. For example, in Psalm 141:2, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2; cf. Revelation 5:8; 8:3–4). Similarly, in Revelation 5:8, the prayers of the saints are described as golden bowls full of incense, indicating that God hears and values the prayers of believers. This idea is further reinforced in Zechariah's experience, where he offers incense in the temple while the people pray outside (Luke 1:9–11). As the incense rises, an angel delivers a message to Zechariah, symbolizing the power of prayer.
The perpetual burning of incense on the altar, as described in Leviticus 6:13, serves as a reminder to Christians that prayer should also be continuous. Just as the incense is always burning, believers are encouraged to maintain a constant attitude of prayer and communion with God. This interpretation is supported by passages such as Luke 18:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which emphasize the importance of persistent and unwavering prayer.
The altar of incense is also symbolic of Christ's mediation on our behalf. The incense, with its sweet-smelling fragrance, represents Christ's intercession, which is pleasing to God. Through Christ's work on earth and in heaven, believers can now approach God's holy presence with confidence and faith. The altar of incense, situated before the mercy seat of the Ark, illustrates the concept of Christ standing in the presence of the Father on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25; 9:24).
Furthermore, the offering of incense involves rituals and regulations that provide valuable lessons for prayer. For instance, the specific blend of incense and the prohibition of unauthorized incense (Exodus 30:9,<36–38>) highlight the importance of approaching God with sincerity and reverence. The consequences for misuse, as seen in the story of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1–2; 16), emphasize the seriousness of worship and the importance of following God's instructions.
In conclusion, the continuous burning of incense serves as a reminder that prayer should be a constant practice in the lives of believers. The symbolism of incense as prayers ascending to God underscores the importance of a heartfelt and humble attitude in prayer. Through Christ's mediation, our prayers become a sweet fragrance to God, and we are invited to approach God's presence with gratitude and faith.
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The altar of incense was called most holy to the Lord
The altar of incense was called "most holy to the Lord" (Exodus 30:10, 36-37) because it was exclusively used for worship. The incense burned on the altar was made from costly materials contributed by the congregation, and its sacred blend was not to be used for personal purposes. The altar of incense was situated before the mercy seat of the Ark, symbolising Christ's mediation on behalf of humanity.
The altar of incense is often associated with prayer in Scripture. For instance, David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). Similarly, in Revelation 5:8, the prayers of God's people are likened to incense: "The prayers of the saints are like golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people" (Revelation 5:8).
The perpetual burning of incense on the altar symbolises the continuous nature of Christ's mediation and the importance of perpetual prayer. The incense offering, therefore, serves as a reminder of the relationship between God and His people, with God considering the prayers of believers as a sweet-smelling savour.
The altar of incense was to be ceremonially purified with blood on the Day of Atonement, emphasising the holiness of the altar and the importance of a pure heart before God. The regulations and rituals surrounding the altar of incense teach that formalities are not enough, and that a sincere and humble attitude is essential in prayer and worship.
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The incense offering was an important component of priestly liturgy
> Take unto yourself sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be an equal amount. And you shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, mixed together [salted], pure and holy: And you shall beat some of it very small, and put it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with you.
The incense offering is emblematic of prayer and the relationship between God and His people. In Scripture, incense is often associated with prayer. For example, David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). The smoke of the incense ascending to God is likened to the prayers of God's people ascending to heaven. The perpetual burning of incense symbolises the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation and the need for Christians to always pray.
The incense offering was also related to the concept of atonement and purification. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would put blood on the horns of the altar of incense to cleanse it. This was part of a ritual to ceremonially purify the altar of incense from sin.
The proper use of incense was extremely important, with severe consequences for misuse. For example, two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, died for improper worship involving incense (Leviticus 10:1-2). God rejected their sacrifice and consumed them with fire. This served as a warning to all other priests about the importance of obedience to His Law.
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Frequently asked questions
In the Bible, incense is associated with prayer. The smoke of incense rising to God is symbolic of prayers ascending to God. The incense offering is also symbolic of Christ's mediation on behalf of Christians.
The altar of incense was situated before the mercy seat of the Ark, which is a picture of Christ standing in the presence of God the Father. The perpetual burning of incense on the altar signifies the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation.
The role of incense in the Bible is emblematic of the relationship between God and His people. Incense was to be burned on the altar in the tabernacle and was made of costly materials contributed by the congregation. God instructed that the incense was "most holy" and was not to be used for personal use.
