Lance Carson
The use of incense as a religious offering is prevalent across various religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and neo-paganism. In the Bible, God commands Moses and Aaron to burn incense perpetually before him as a holy act of worship. The Book of Exodus provides a recipe for the sacred incense, which includes sweet spices like stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. While some Christians interpret this as a divine command to burn incense, others view it symbolically, believing that their prayers and service are like sweet-smelling incense that pleases God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense offering | קְטֹרֶת (qəṭōreṯ) |
| Incense composition | Stacte, Onycha, Galbanum, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cassia, Spikenard, Saffron, Costus, Aromatic Bark, Cinnamon |
| Incense usage | Worship, Prayer, Rites, Devotions |
| Incense significance | Symbol of prayers rising to God, Sweet fragrance, Pleasing aroma |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in the Bible
Incense is described in the Bible as a holy act of worship. 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 (Exodus 30). The Book of Exodus also lists the components of the incense, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. These were to be mixed with pure frankincense, with each spice weighing the same.
The Bible tells us that the prayers of God's people rise up to Him like incense. 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!". Incense is also mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, where Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was chosen by lot to place incense on the altar in the temple while the people prayed outside. As the incense smoke rose, an angel announced to Zechariah that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son.
Incense is also mentioned in the New Testament, with a Christological reference to the coals from the altar of incense on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:3-4). Incense is still used in liturgical rites in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and some Anglican and Lutheran churches.
While the burning of incense is a divine command, it is not necessary to burn incense to approach God. Christians should be cautious about the use of incense due to its link with pagan religions. The Bible also warns against the misuse of incense, as in the case of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, who died for improper worship involving incense (Leviticus 10:1-2).
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Incense in Christianity
The use of incense in Christianity has a long history and holds different meanings for various denominations. Incense has been used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, and other services. While there is no explicit biblical prohibition against burning incense, its use is a matter of conviction and should not be motivated by enhancing the power of prayers or pleasing God.
In the Old Testament, incense was part of the ritual worship of the Lord, and God provided specific instructions for its composition and use. According to Exodus 30:22-38, the incense offered to God was to be holy and unique, not made for personal use or any other purpose. The Book of Exodus describes the recipe as including sweet spices such as stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, with each ingredient carefully weighed and prepared.
The use of incense in Christian worship varies across denominations. Incense is still used in liturgical rites within the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and some Lutheran churches. It has also seen a resurgence among the emergent church movement, seeking to return to "vintage" Christianity. However, Christians should be cautious about practices associated with pagan religions, as these may conflict with their faith.
The act of burning incense can symbolize prayer and purification. In Psalm 141 (140), verse 2, it is written, "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." Similarly, in Revelation 5:8, the prayers of the saints in heaven are described as a "golden bowl full of incense."
While Christians have the freedom to burn incense, it is essential to consider the motivation behind it. If the intent is to enhance prayers or please God, it may lead to legalism or mysticism. Instead, Hebrews 10:19-22 guides Christians to approach God with confidence and full assurance of faith. Additionally, the use of incense should not cause confusion or conflict for other Christians, especially those with a pagan background, as mentioned in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10:23-33.
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Incense in Judaism
Incense has been used in Judaism since ancient times, with references to it in the Torah and other religious texts. The use of incense is associated with the idea of offering sacrifices to God and was an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in Jerusalem. According to Jewish sources, the offering of incense occupied a prominent position in the sacrificial legislation of the ancient Hebrews. The practice continued throughout the early years of Israel's settlement and in the Temple built by King Solomon in Jerusalem.
The Hebrew word for incense is "qəṭoreth" (קְטֹרֶת), and it refers to a blend of aromatic substances that release a pleasant fragrance when burned. The specific blend of spices and gums used in the incense offering was kept secret by the compounders to prevent its use in the worship of foreign gods. The Book of Exodus provides a recipe for the sacred incense, which includes "sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum, with pure frankincense, each of equal weight." The Talmud and other sources list additional ingredients, resulting in a total of eleven components.
The act of burning incense is believed to have symbolic and spiritual significance in Judaism. Some interpret it as a way to create a pleasant fragrance that honours God and elevates the spiritual experience. The philosopher and Rabbi Maimonides noted that a good smell can elevate the heart and attract people, while a bad smell can have the opposite effect. The incense may also symbolize the unity of life, matter, and spirit, reminding Jews to unite their bodies and souls in service of God.
In terms of its use in Jewish practice, opinions vary. Some Jews consider burning incense for prayer to be a non-Jewish practice and suggest avoiding it. However, others use incense to create a calm and beautiful atmosphere, especially during rituals like lighting Shabbat candles. It is important to note that burning incense is not inherently forbidden, but using it in a way that mimics non-Jewish prayer practices may not be acceptable.
The offering of incense is mentioned in the Books of Chronicles, which describe a similar incense altar in Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. The priests offered incense twice a day, in the morning and evening, and the practice was also associated with the Day of Atonement rituals.
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Incense in prayer
Incense has been offered to God as an act of worship throughout the Bible, often at his divine command. In the Old Covenant, God commanded that incense be offered to him throughout the generations. The burning of incense is a holy act of worship, and 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.
The Book of Exodus describes the recipe for the sacred incense prescribed for use in the wilderness Tabernacle:
> 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: And you shall beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with you: it shall be unto you most holy.
The Talmud lists seven additional components from the oral Torah, and the ingredients are still being studied and are not determined with absolute certainty. However, it is clear that the incense was to be made from costly materials contributed by the congregation.
In the New Testament, there are several typological references to incense, including a Christological reference to the coals from the altar of incense taken behind the veil on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:3–4). The smoke of incense in the tabernacle typically signifies offered prayer, and this symbolism has been adopted in medieval Christian art.
Incense is still used in liturgical rites in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and parts of the Anglican and Lutheran churches. It is also used in some popular devotions outside of church liturgies.
While the burning of incense can be a powerful symbol of prayer, Christians should be cautious about their motives for burning incense. If the motivation is to increase the power of prayers or to be more pleasing to God, it may veer into legalism or mysticism. Additionally, due to the link between incense and pagan religions, Christians with a background in paganism may struggle with its use.
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Incense ingredients
The burning of incense is a divine command, with God giving Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible and is still used in some churches today.
The Book of Exodus lists four components of the incense, while the Talmud lists seven additional components from the oral Torah. The four components from the Book of Exodus are:
- Stacte: the extract of the transparent portion of the myrrh resin which exudes spontaneously from the tree, or a balsam from a tree such as opobalsamum or a styrax.
- Onycha: in Greek, this means "nail". It is described as being the operculum from a shell found in the Red Sea, or the exudation from the rock rose bush called labdanum.
- Galbanum: generally considered to be Ferula galbaniflua, or a milder variety from the Levant.
- Frankincense: this is to be used with the above three ingredients, with each weighing the same amount.
The Talmud lists the following additional ingredients:
- Myrrh
- Cassia
- Spikenard
- Saffron
- Costus
- Aromatic bark
- Cinnamon
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Frequently asked questions
According to the Book of Exodus, God gave Moses instructions for a sacred incense made of costly materials contributed by the congregation. The recipe included sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, each in equal measure.
The sweet fragrance of incense is believed to be pleasing to God and is often associated with worship and prayer. In the Bible, incense is offered to God as a holy act of worship, and it is mentioned in various passages, including Psalm 140/141:2 and Acts 10:4.
Yes, the use of incense holds symbolic significance in Christianity. It is believed to represent the prayers rising to God, as mentioned in Revelation 5:8. Additionally, the act of burning incense can symbolize the purification of sins and the offering of oneself to God.
