Katrina Rosales
The use of incense as an offering has been referenced in many ancient texts, including the Bible, and has been a part of religious practices for centuries. Incense was offered to God as a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and its smoke was seen as a symbol of prayer rising up to the heavens. In this context, the timing of the incense offering held great significance, with references to specific times of the day and year for burning incense. The Old Testament provides guidelines for the proper time and manner of burning incense, and disobedience to these instructions was considered an act of rebellion. The incense offering was also associated with the Day of Atonement, during which the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies with a portable incense burner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time of offering | Morning and evening |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Components | Stacte, Onycha, Galbanum, Pure frankincense |
| Formula | Equal parts of each component |
| Fire source | Altar of burnt offering outside the sanctuary |
| Purpose | Symbol of prayers of God's people, Act of worship, Symbol of absolute holiness of God |
| Usage | In Judaism, Christianity, and ancient Near East countries |
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What You'll Learn
Incense as prayer
The use of incense as a religious offering has a long history, with references in the Bible and other religious texts. Incense has been used as a religious offering in various cultures, including ancient Near East countries, Judaism, and Christianity.
In the Bible, the Book of Exodus mentions the use of incense as an offering to Yahweh. According to Exodus 30:34-38, Moses was given a formula for incense made of equal parts storax, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, which was to be ground into fine dust and burned on an altar of acacia wood. The Book of Chronicles also mentions a similar incense altar in Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, where sacred incense was burned morning and evening.
Incense is often associated with prayer and seen as a symbol of the prayers of God's people. In Psalm 141, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). The smoke of the incense rising towards the heavens symbolises the ascension of prayers to God. In the New Testament, John's vision of heaven in the Book of Revelation describes elders holding golden bowls full of incense, representing the prayers of God's people (Revelation 5:8).
The altar of incense is also significant in religious rituals. In the Old Testament, the altar of incense was situated before the mercy seat of the Ark, representing Christ's mediation on behalf of humanity. The perpetual burning of incense on this altar symbolises the ongoing nature of Christ's mediation. In the New Testament, the coals from the altar of incense on the Day of Atonement are mentioned in Hebrews 9:3-4.
The offering of incense was considered an important act of worship, with specific instructions for its preparation and use. The use of unauthorised incense or failure to offer incense at the proper time was seen as disobedience and could result in punishment. The sweet aroma of incense was believed to be pleasing to God and was used to cover unpleasant smells, symbolising the need for sinners to be reconciled with a holy God.
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Incense in the Old Testament
Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his own divine command. In the Old Testament, incense is rarely mentioned in the historic and prophetic books, and when it is, it is considered a rare and precious offering. The first mention of the altar of incense is in Exodus chapter 30, where God gives Moses and Aaron detailed instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense.
The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It was placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Testimony was located, representing God's presence. Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord. The fire used to burn the incense was always taken from the altar of the burnt offering, and the altar of incense was never to be used for burnt, grain, or drink offerings.
The incense itself was made of costly materials, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, in equal weights. The recipe for the incense was considered holy, and anyone who recreated it for their own pleasure was to be "cut off from his people".
The offering of incense is mentioned much more frequently in the post-exilic period, and it becomes an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in Jerusalem. In the time of Christ, incense continued to be offered in the Temple, and the Magi offered incense to the newborn Christ as a symbol of his divinity.
In the Old Testament, the incense offered by the priest was seen as a representation of the prayers of God's people rising to Him, requiring a mediator. This symbolism is seen in passages like Psalm 141:2, where David prays, "Let my prayer be set before you like incense". This symbolism continues in the New Testament, where John's vision in Revelation describes the elders around the throne holding "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people".
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Incense in the New Testament
The New Testament makes several typological references to incense. Incense is often associated with prayer in Scripture. In the Book of Psalms, David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). Similarly, in the Book of Revelation, John describes seeing elders around the throne "holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people" (Revelation 5:8; cf. 8:3). In the Gospel of Luke, as Zechariah the priest was offering incense in the temple, "all the assembled worshipers were praying outside" (Luke 1:10). Thus, the altar of incense can be seen as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful ascending to God.
Incense offerings were an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in Jerusalem during the time of the Tabernacle and the First and Second Temple periods. The sacred incense was made from costly materials contributed by the congregation. The Book of Exodus provides a recipe for the incense, which included sweet spices such as stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, with specific instructions for preparation. The Talmud lists additional components from the oral Torah, and the exact ingredients are still being studied.
In the New Testament, there is a Christological reference to the coals from the altar of incense taken behind the veil on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:3–4). This day was a significant occasion when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the sins of the people. The smoke of incense in the tabernacle is often interpreted in Christian typology as symbolizing prayer, and this symbolism has been depicted in medieval Christian art.
Incense continues to play a role in liturgical rites in various Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Anglican Church, and some Lutheran churches. Incense is used in formal liturgical ceremonies as well as in popular devotions outside of church liturgies. The use of incense in Christian worship reflects its significance as a symbol of prayer and mediation, connecting the faithful to God through the intercession of Christ.
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Incense in other religions
Incense plays a significant role in various religions, each with its own unique traditions and beliefs surrounding its use. Here is an exploration of the role of incense in some of these religions:
Christianity
Incense has been used in Christian worship for centuries, often during solemn celebrations like the Eucharist, funerals, and the consecration of churches or altars. Its use is particularly prevalent in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches, Anglican churches, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches, where it is burned at almost every service. The Orthodox Church, for instance, uses incense in their Divine Liturgy, and many Orthodox Christians have small home incense burners as part of their icon corners. The practice of burning incense in Christianity is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple.
Hinduism
Incense has been used in India since 3600 BCE and is an integral part of Hindu worship. It is offered to God in his various forms, such as Krishna and Rama, by rotating the sticks thrice in a clockwise direction. This practice is based on the principle from the Bhagavad Gita that "Krishna accepts the offering made to Him with love." Traditionally, resins from trees like the Commiphora wightii were burned over embers to release perfumed smoke.
Buddhism and East Asian Religions
Incense holds an invaluable role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites. It is also used in Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines dedicated to deities like Inari Okami or the Seven Lucky Gods. The use of incense in religious rituals spread from India to China and then to other parts of East Asia, including Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Mandaeism
In Mandaeism, incense is offered on stands called "kinta" by priests to establish a connection between humans on Earth and celestial beings in the World of Light. This practice is observed during rituals such as baptism, death masses, and priest initiation ceremonies.
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Incense in art
Incense has been used throughout history for a variety of purposes, including aesthetic, religious, medicinal, and ceremonial reasons. Its use in art and culture is extensive and often symbolic.
Ancient Civilizations
Incense was used in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, China, and India, and its usage is depicted in art and artifacts from these civilizations. In ancient Egypt, incense was used for both pragmatic and mystical purposes. The Temple of Deir-el-Bahari in Egypt, for example, contains carvings that depict an expedition for incense. Ancient Chinese civilizations employed incense in formalized ceremonial rites, with herbs and plant products like cassia, cinnamon, styrax, and sandalwood. The oldest textual source on incense, the Vedas, originates from ancient India, where incense was used for creating pleasing aromas and as a medicinal tool.
Religious Significance
Incense has been particularly significant in religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Buddhism. In Judaism, the incense offering was related to perfumed offerings on the altar, and it was an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Book of Exodus describes a sacred recipe for incense, which included sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum, among other ingredients. In Christianity, the New Testament makes typological references to incense, and in medieval Christian art, the smoke of incense in the tabernacle signifies offered prayers. Incense is still used in liturgical rites in Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutheran churches. In Buddhism, incense became an integral part of religious practice, and Buddhist monks introduced incense stick-making to China around 200 CE.
Symbolism and Rituals
Incense has been associated with symbolic meanings and rituals across various cultures. In ancient times, incense was used to perfume garments, beds, and noble guests. In the cult of Israel, incense was considered rare and precious, and it was offered as a sacrifice. In Christianity, incense is seen as a symbol of the prayers of God's people, ascending to God like the smoke of incense. In the time of the shogunate in Japan, a samurai warrior might perfume his helmet and armor with incense to achieve an aura of invincibility.
Today, incense continues to be used in various cultural and artistic contexts, often as a way to enhance spiritual practices, create pleasant aromas, or engage in traditional rituals. Incense burners and holders are often designed with artistic motifs, reflecting the cultural and symbolic significance of incense in different societies.
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Frequently asked questions
The incense offering is significant as it symbolises the absolute holiness of God and the prayers of God's people. The sweet smell of incense and its rising smoke gave it a natural symbolism, representing something pleasing to God.
Incense was offered in the morning and evening, according to the Book of Exodus.
The Book of Exodus describes the recipe as being made of costly materials, including "sweet spices, stacte, onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense".
The incense offering took place on the altar of incense, situated before the mercy seat of the Ark.
Incense is often associated with prayer. In Scripture, it is written, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). The rising smoke of incense symbolises the prayers of God's people rising up to God.
