Katrina Rosales
The altar of incense was placed in the Holy Place of the tabernacle, outside the Most Holy Place. It was positioned alongside the lampstand and the table of showbread, before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with four horns at each corner. It was approximately two cubits high, with each side of the top square measuring one cubit. The incense burned on the altar was believed to symbolize the prayers of God's people rising to Him, and it was an essential part of the worship in the tabernacle and temple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | The Holy Place of the tabernacle, in front of the veil |
| Materials | Gold and acacia wood |
| Dimensions | 2 cubits high with a square top that was 1 cubit per side |
| Transportability | Outfitted with poles for transportation |
| Usage | Incense was burned on the altar day and night, with smoke symbolizing offerings to God |
| Cleansing | Atonement was made once a year by sprinkling blood on the horns of the altar |
| Theological Significance | Represents the prayers of God's people |
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What You'll Learn
The altar of incense was made of gold and acacia wood
The altar of incense was located in the Holy Place of the tabernacle, before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The Ark of the Testimony was on the other side of this veil, which was where the presence of God was.
The altar of incense was made of acia wood and overlaid with gold. It stood two cubits high, with a square top that measured one cubit on each side. The altar was constructed with four "horns," one at each corner, and rings of gold were built into it. The gold rings allowed the altar to be carried with acacia wood poles slipped through them.
The altar of incense was overlaid with pure gold and crafted from acacia wood, a material combination that speaks to its sacred purpose. The gold and wood construction, along with the daily offerings of incense, symbolized the importance of maintaining a pure heart and a life that is right before God.
The altar's placement in the Holy Place, its proximity to the Holy of Holies, and the use of precious materials in its construction all underscore the significance of this altar in the tabernacle. The altar of incense was not only a physical structure but also a representation of the prayers of God's people, ascending to God like the smoke of incense.
The golden altar, with its unique construction and placement, serves as a reminder of the importance of sincerity and faith in one's prayers and offerings to God.
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It was placed before the veil in the Holy Place
The altar of incense was placed in the Holy Place of the tabernacle, before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was the most sacred part of the tabernacle, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, and where God's presence was believed to reside.
The altar of incense was made of acia wood and overlaid with gold, with a square top measuring one cubit on each side and a height of two cubits. It was constructed with four "horns", one at each corner, similar to the altar of sacrifice in the courtyard. Gold rings were attached to the altar, allowing it to be carried with acacia wood poles.
The placement of the altar of incense before the veil is significant. The veil separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, and by extension, the earthly realm from God's presence. The incense burned on the altar symbolized the prayers of the Israelites rising up to God. As the smoke from the incense penetrated the veil and entered the Holy of Holies, it represented the prayers of the people entering heaven itself, even though they could not see past the curtain.
The altar of incense was to be purified with blood once a year on the Day of Atonement, symbolizing the cleansing of the people's prayers through sacrifice. Only authorized incense, made according to God's recipe, could be burned on the altar. Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord.
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The incense symbolised the prayers of God's people
The altar of incense was first mentioned in Exodus chapter 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle. The Bible describes the altar as square-topped, two cubits high, and made of acacia wood 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 resided. Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a regular offering to the Lord.
In the Bible, the altar of incense is also associated with Christ's mediation on behalf of humanity. Just as the incense was to burn continually on the altar, Christ's mediation is perpetual. Moreover, Christ's intercession is considered a sweet-smelling savour to God, akin to the pleasing aroma of incense. The altar of incense, therefore, serves as a reminder of Christ's role as our Advocate before the Father.
The use of incense in Christian worship carries forward this symbolism. Incense has been employed in Christian rituals since antiquity, particularly in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches. During religious services, incense is burned as a visual reminder of the congregation's prayers being offered to God. The rising smoke of the incense symbolizes the ascension of prayers, uniting the faithful with Jesus in offering sacrifices to the Father.
Overall, the incense on the altar of the tabernacle symbolised the prayers of God's people, reflecting their devotion and supplications rising up to heaven. This symbolism continues to be significant in Christian worship, where incense serves as a tangible representation of the spiritual act of prayer.
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It was purified by sprinkling blood on the horns
The altar of incense was located inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle, before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, with four horns, one at each corner. This altar was purified by sprinkling blood on its horns, a practice that was carried out by a priest.
The purification ritual involved the priest sprinkling blood on the altar of incense, specifically on its horns. This ritual was performed annually on the Day of Atonement. The priest would take the blood of a young bull, which represented a sin offering, and sprinkle it seven times before the veil of the sanctuary, which concealed the inner dwelling-place of God. This act symbolised the atoning sacrifice and its reference to God.
After sprinkling the blood before the veil, the priest would then turn to the altar of incense and smear its four horns with blood. This act was done "before the Lord" and held significant meaning. The blood on the horns of the altar represented the influence of the blood upon the offering of intercessory prayer. It symbolised the power of Christ's intercession and his sacrifice, as it was his blood that gave acceptance to the incense burnt on the altar.
The altar of incense was considered "most holy to the Lord," and the ritual of sprinkling blood on its horns was a crucial aspect of its purification and symbolism. This act represented the influence of Christ's sacrifice on the prayers of God's people, emphasising that it is through Christ's atoning sacrifice that we find acceptance with God.
The ritual of sprinkling blood on the horns of the altar of incense served as a powerful reminder of the necessity of a proper heart before God. While the burning of incense was an important ritual, it was the blood that gave it significance. This act symbolised the priority of having a right relationship with God over mere ritualistic practices.
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The fire for the incense came from the altar of burnt offering
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 acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It had four "horns," one at each corner, similar to the altar of sacrifice in the courtyard. The fire used to burn the incense always came from the altar of burnt offering outside the sanctuary (Leviticus 16:12). This is in accordance with God's stipulation that no other incense was to be burned on the altar (Exodus 30:9).
The altar of incense was placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. On the other side of the veil was the Ark of the Testimony, where the presence of God was (Exodus 25:22). Aaron was instructed to burn incense on the altar each morning and at twilight as a daily offering to the Lord (Exodus 30:7–8).
The incense was to be burned continually, symbolising the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation. In Scripture, incense is often associated with prayer. For instance, David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). In Revelation, John describes a vision of heaven in which the elders around the throne "were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people" (Revelation 5:8; cf. 8:3).
Thus, the altar of incense can be interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of God's people, with the fire from the altar of burnt offering representing the kindling of prayers with heaven's grace.
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Frequently asked questions
The altar of incense is first mentioned in Exodus chapter 30 as one of the items inside the Holy Place of the tabernacle.
The altar of incense was made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold.
The top of the altar was square—one cubit per side—and the whole altar was two cubits high. A cubit was about twenty inches, or just under two feet.
The altar of incense was placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The smoke from the incense symbolized the prayers of God's people constantly ascending before the Lord.
