Lance Carson
The altar of incense was made of acia wood overlaid with gold, with four horns, one at each corner, and gold rings on either side for carrying poles. It was a reminder to the Israelites to pray and a symbol of their prayers ascending to God. The incense was made from a mixture of four precious spices: stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. The sweet-smelling smoke symbolized the prayers of God's people, and the altar was considered holy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Gold and acacia wood |
| Size | 18 inches square by 36 inches high |
| Purpose | To scent the air |
| Symbolism | The prayers of God's people |
| Ritual | Burning of incense in the morning and at twilight |
| Ritual | The blood of the sacrifice |
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What You'll Learn
The altar was made of acacia wood and gold
The altar of incense was constructed with a combination of acia wood and gold. The inner structure was made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold. This combination of materials was befitting of a king, reflecting the significance of the altar as a sacred object. The altar was not large, measuring approximately 18 inches (one cubit) square and 36 inches (two cubits) high.
The use of acacia wood provided a sturdy foundation for the altar, while the gold overlay added a layer of beauty and richness. The gold also symbolised the value and importance of the altar in the religious practices of the Israelites. The altar was adorned with four "horns," one at each corner, similar to the altar of sacrifice. These horns played a significant role in the sacrificial rituals, as the high priest would smear them with blood during the annual Day of Atonement.
The altar of incense was constructed following God's detailed instructions, as mentioned in Exodus chapter 30. It stood in the Holy Place of the tabernacle, between the golden lampstand and the table of showbread. The placement of the altar between these two objects further emphasised its significance. The lampstand provided light, and the table held the showbread, while the altar of incense served the practical purpose of scenting the air with fragrant odours.
The altar of incense was not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional. It was equipped with golden rings on both sides, allowing for easy transportation using acacia wood poles. This mobility was essential when the entire tabernacle needed to be moved. The priests played a crucial role in maintaining the altar, refilling the special mixture of incense in the morning and evening to ensure a constant sweet-smelling smoke.
The altar of incense held profound symbolic value for the Israelites. The rising smoke from the incense symbolised the prayers of God's people ascending to heaven. This symbolism served as a reminder to the Israelites that prayer should be central in their lives. Additionally, the altar represented the work and offerings that the Israelites presented to the Lord, emphasising the importance of prayer in their relationship with God.
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Incense symbolised the prayers of God's people
The use of incense in religious rituals has a long history, dating back to ancient times. Incense has been used in various cultures and religions, including Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Shinto, Christian, and Mandaean traditions. In many of these traditions, incense holds symbolic significance and is often associated with prayer and offerings made to deities or spirits.
In the Christian tradition, the altar of incense is mentioned in Exodus chapter 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The altar was constructed from acia wood and overlaid with gold, symbolizing the royalty of God. According to Scripture, the incense burned on this altar symbolized the prayers of God's people ascending to Him. This symbolism is evident in passages such as Psalm 141:2, where David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense."
The book of Revelation also reinforces this symbolism, describing the elders in heaven holding "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people" (Revelation 5:8). The act of burning incense continuously on the altar represents the perpetual nature of prayer and the idea that our prayers ascend to God as the smoke of incense rises.
The sweet fragrance of incense is also significant, symbolizing the covenant relationship between God and His people. God instructed that only specific incense be burned on the altar, emphasizing His desire for worship to be conducted according to His commands. The altar of incense, therefore, serves as a reminder of the importance of heartfelt prayer and a proper relationship with God, rather than merely going through ritualistic motions.
In conclusion, the altar of incense plays a significant role in religious rituals, particularly in Christianity. Its construction, placement, and continuous burning of incense symbolize the prayers of God's people, ascending to Him as a sweet fragrance. The altar serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people and underscores the importance of sincere and continual prayer.
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The smoke from the incense was considered holy
The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It was constructed according to the detailed instructions provided by God to Moses. The altar was approximately 18 inches square and 36 inches high. It featured four horns, one at each corner, and rings of gold built into its sides, through which acacia poles could be slipped for transportation.
The incense was burned with fire from the altar of burnt offerings, symbolizing that prayers must be kindled with heaven's grace. The fact that the incense was always burning served as a reminder to pray continually.
The altar of incense was also connected to sacrificial rituals. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would smear the horns of the altar with blood to cleanse it and atone for the accumulated pollution caused by the people's sins. This ritual symbolized the need for atonement and the atoning sacrifice of Christ, without which prayers would not be acceptable to God.
Today, the perfect sacrifice of Jesus ensures that God hears the prayers of those who approach Him through Christ. The altar of incense, with its sweet-smelling smoke, thus served as a powerful reminder of the importance of prayer and the need for atonement and mediation through Christ.
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The altar was purified with blood
The altar of incense was first mentioned in Exodus chapter 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It was constructed out of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with four "horns", one at each corner. The altar was two cubits high, with each side of the top measuring one cubit. The altar was purified with blood, and this was done to symbolise that the prayers of God's people were acceptable through sacrifices.
The Bible describes the use of blood in purifying the altar of incense. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would put blood on the horns of the altar to cleanse it (Leviticus 16:12). This ritual was performed annually to purify the altar, which was considered "most holy to the Lord" (Exodus 30:10). The blood symbolised the sacrifice and atonement made for the people's sins.
John Calvin, a theologian, commented on the significance of purifying the altar with blood: "The altar of incense was purified by the sprinkling of blood, that they might learn that their prayers obtained acceptance through sacrifices." Calvin's interpretation highlights the connection between the blood purification and the efficacy of prayers offered by God's people.
The altar of incense itself represented the work of prayer offered by the Israelites unto the Lord. In Scripture, incense is often associated with prayer. For example, in Psalm 141:2, David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). Similarly, in Revelation 5:8, John describes the elders in heaven holding "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people."
The act of sprinkling blood on the altar of incense served as a reminder that the people's prayers were acceptable to God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Today, it is understood that the perfect sacrifice of Jesus ensures that God hears our prayers (2 Corinthians 5:21). The blood purification ritual, therefore, emphasised the importance of a proper heart before God, as God desires not just ritualistic practices but sincere hearts and lives dedicated to Him.
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The incense was made from tree sap, shellfish and galbanum
The altar of incense is mentioned in Exodus chapter 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The altar was made of acia wood and overlaid with gold. It was two cubits high, with a square top that was one cubit on each side. The altar of incense was holy and was used to symbolise the prayers of God's people.
The incense that was burned on the altar was made from a variety of ingredients, including tree sap, shellfish, and galbanum. Specifically, the tree sap used was called stacte, a fragrant gum resin from a tree. Onycha, the shellfish used, was a ground shellfish taken from the Red Sea, and galbanum was a sap or gum from a plant or shrub that was used to drive away insects. These ingredients were combined with pure frankincense and salt, and the resulting incense was burned on the altar as a holy offering to the Lord.
The Bible provides specific instructions for making the incense, with God stipulating that no other incense should be burned on the altar. The incense was always burned using fire from the altar of burnt offering, and it was never to be used for burnt offerings, grain offerings, or drink offerings. The altar of incense was to be purified with the blood of sacrifice, and it served as a reminder for the Israelites to pray and a symbol of the intercession of Christ.
The use of incense in the Bible is often associated with prayer, with the smoke of the incense representing the ascent of prayers to God. The ingredients for making sacred incense were carefully chosen and guarded, and its use was strictly for holy purposes. The process of making incense and the specific ingredients, including tree sap, shellfish, and galbanum, held spiritual significance in the Biblical context.
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Frequently asked questions
The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It was about 18 inches (or 20, according to another source) square by 36 inches high.
The incense altar, along with the lampstand and the table of showbread, were made with materials fit for a king. These items were, in many respects, ordinary pieces of furniture, albeit richly ornamented as befitted the furniture of a king.
The altar of incense was considered holy to the Lord. It was purified by the sprinkling of blood, symbolising that their prayers were acceptable through sacrifices.
Acacia wood was a durable material that could withstand the weight of the gold overlay and the incense. It was also a type of wood that was readily available in the region.
