Heidi Norton
The burning of incense at the altar is a religious practice with a rich history and significant meaning. The altar of incense is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in Exodus 30, as an essential part of the tabernacle's furnishings. It is described as being made of acia wood and overlaid with gold, with horns on each corner and rings for transportation. The incense burned on this altar is believed to symbolize the prayers of God's people, ascending to God as sweet-smelling smoke. This act of burning incense serves as a reminder to pray continuously and represents the mediation of Christ, making our prayers acceptable and pleasing to God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mentioned in the Bible | Exodus chapter 30, Isaiah 1:13, Leviticus 16:12, Luke 1:10, Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8, 8:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Proverbs 15:29, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Exodus 30:9, Exodus 30:1-38, 37:25-29, 38:8, Exodus 31:1-10, Exodus 35:25-28, Exodus 30:1-10, 40:1-8, 1 Kings 8:22-53, Malachi 1:11, Colossians 4:2 |
| Construction | Made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with four horns, one at each corner, and rings of gold built-in so it could be carried with poles |
| Size | One cubit (20 inches or just under two feet) per side and two cubits (36 inches) or one meter high |
| Placement | In the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, outside the Most Holy Place, in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies |
| Usage | Incense burned daily, morning and evening, by the high priest; the smoke symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God |
| Incense Type | Sacred, made from fine spices, gum resin, tree sap, onycha (made from a Red Sea shellfish), and galbanum |
| Ritual Significance | A reminder to pray, symbolizing the mediation of Christ, and the need for a pure heart before God |
| Practical Significance | Covered unpleasant smells from livestock during the wilderness wandering of Israel |
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What You'll Learn
The incense is a symbol of the prayers of God's people
The burning of incense at the altar is a significant practice in Christianity and Judaism. The incense is believed to symbolise the prayers of God's people, rising to God. This belief is supported by various biblical passages, including Psalm 141:2, where David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense".
The altar of incense is first mentioned in Exodus 30 as an item inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. According to Exodus, the altar was constructed from acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with a square top and a height of two cubits (approximately two feet). It was placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Testimony resided, representing the presence of God. Aaron, and subsequently 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 burned on the altar was made from a specific recipe given by God, and only authorised incense was permitted to be used. The fire used to burn the incense was taken from the altar of burnt offerings outside the sanctuary. The sweet-smelling smoke from the incense symbolised the prayers of God's people, rising to God. This symbolism is further reinforced by John's vision in Revelation, where he describes bowls of incense, representing the prayers of the saints, ascending to the altar in heaven before the throne of God.
The act of burning incense serves as a reminder to Israel to pray and assures them that their prayers are pleasing to the Lord. The smoke from the incense also had a practical purpose, as it helped to mask unpleasant odours in the camp during the time of the wilderness wandering of Israel. However, God values sincerity and a pure heart over mere ritual, as illustrated in Isaiah 1:13, where God expresses displeasure towards meaningless offerings and emphasises the importance of a proper heart before Him.
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Incense covers the scent of animals and farm-like smells
The burning of incense at the altar has been a significant practice in several religious traditions. One of the key reasons for this practice is to cover and mask unpleasant odours, particularly those associated with animals and farm-like smells.
In the Bible, during the time of the wilderness wandering of Israel, the Israelites' camp would have been filled with various odours from animals and farm-like activities. Burning incense at the altar helped to mask these unpleasant smells and create a more pleasant aroma. This act holds a deeper theological significance as well. In this context, incense can symbolise the prayers of God's people, rising to God like the smoke from the incense.
The altar of incense is first mentioned in Exodus, where God provided specific instructions for its construction and use. It was to be made of acia wood, overlaid with gold, and placed in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The high priest was instructed to burn incense on this altar every morning and evening, with the incense itself being a special mixture of fine spices.
The sweet-smelling smoke from the burning incense not only covered unpleasant odours but also served as a symbol of the people's prayers ascending to God. This idea 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 act of burning incense at the altar, therefore, holds both practical and symbolic significance. While it helped to mask animal and farm-like smells, it also served as a reminder to the Israelites that prayer should be central in their lives. The incense, with its sweet fragrance, represented the righteousness that Jesus Christ imparts to our prayers, making them acceptable and pleasing to God.
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Burning incense is a continuous act, like praying without ceasing
The altar of incense was placed in the tabernacle itself, in front of the veil that covered the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat. The high priest would burn incense on it every morning and evening. The sweet-smelling smoke from the incense represented the people's prayers ascending to God.
The incense was made from fine spices that were mixed and left to smolder on the altar day and night. The smoke would penetrate the curtain into the Holy of Holies, even though the priest could not see past it. This is like prayer, as we know our prayers enter heaven even though we cannot see it.
The altar of incense reminded Israel to pray and assured them that their prayers were pleasing to the Lord. Scripture often likens incense to the prayers of God's people. In Revelation, John tells us that the prayers of the saints ascend to the altar in heaven before the throne of God.
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The altar of incense is made of gold and acacia wood
Acacia trees were common in the wilderness and easily accessible, as noted by historians. The trees are strong and their wood is resistant to decay, making it ideal for construction. The Bible mentions acacia wood 29 times, and it is the only type of wood used in the construction of the Tabernacle.
The altar of incense is mentioned in Exodus 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. The incense was made from fine spices and was always to be burning.
The burning of incense on the altar is symbolic of the prayers of God's people. The smoke from the incense represents the prayers ascending to God, as described in Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 5:8. The sweet-smelling aroma of the incense is also a covering for the sins of the people, as described in Isaiah 1:13. The altar of incense is thus a reminder of the intercession of Christ and the need for our prayers to be kindled with heaven's grace.
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Only a priest can burn incense at the altar
The burning of incense at the altar is a significant practice in Christianity. Incense is often associated with prayer, as seen in Scripture where David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). The smoke from the incense symbolises the prayers of God's people ascending to God, emphasising the perpetual nature of prayer.
The altar of incense is mentioned in Exodus 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It was constructed from acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with four "horns" at each corner. Aaron, a priest, was instructed to burn incense on this altar each morning and at twilight as a daily offering to the Lord.
The incense itself was made from a blend of spices, including frankincense, following a recipe stipulated by God. This incense was exclusively burned on the altar, and no other incense was permitted. The fire used to burn the incense was taken from the altar of burnt offerings, and the altar of incense was atoned with the blood of sacrifice.
The act of burning incense at the altar holds symbolic significance. It can be seen as a symbol of Christ's mediation and His work on earth and in heaven. Additionally, the incense served a practical purpose during the time of wilderness wandering in Israel, as it masked the unpleasant smells from the many animals in the camp.
Only a priest is authorised to burn incense at the altar, acting as a mediator between the people and God. This restriction highlights the importance and sanctity of the ritual. The priest, as a mediator, ensures that the prayers of the people are acceptable and pleasing to God.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense at the altar is significant because it symbolises the prayers of God's people ascending to God.
The altar of incense was made of acia wood and overlaid with gold.
Only authorised incense could be offered on the altar. God gave the recipe for making the incense and stipulated that no other incense should ever be burned on the altar.
Only priests could burn incense on the altar, as they served as mediators between the people and God.
