Seamus Hammond
The burning of incense was a significant practice in the Old Testament, with incense being burned in the king's presence to mask unpleasant odours and as a tribute to his position. However, the Bible makes it clear that only priests descended from Aaron were allowed to burn incense in the temple, and not even the king was exempt from this rule. This is exemplified by the story of King Uzziah, who was struck with leprosy by God for his disobedience in burning incense in the temple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense in the Old Testament | Done in one place (the tabernacle and later the temple) |
| Burning incense in the Old Testament | Done by one group of people (the priests who descended from Aaron) |
| Burning incense in the New Testament | Never a part of worship |
| Burning incense in the New Testament | Not given as part of the church service or to New Testament Christians |
| Burning incense in the Old Testament | Not done by the king |
| Burning incense in the Old Testament | King Uzziah tried to burn incense and God gave him leprosy |
| Burning incense in the Old Testament | Israel often disobeyed God by burning incense in places other than the temple and to other gods |
| Burning incense | Not honouring to God |
| Burning incense | God wanted true love and obedience |
| Burning incense | Incense was burned in the king's presence to mask the odors of livestock and unwashed bodies |
| Burning incense | Incense was burned before God in the tabernacle of Israel |
| Burning incense | Incense was burned on a horned "altar" that held burning coals |
| Burning incense | The altar of incense was made with gold and acacia wood |
| Burning incense | The altar of incense was placed outside so regular priests could care for it daily |
| Burning incense | The altar of incense represented the work of prayer |
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What You'll Learn
Incense was burned to mask livestock and body odours
Incense has been used for thousands of years for various purposes, including masking unwanted odours. It is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils, and releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The term "incense" refers to both the material and the aroma produced.
Incense can be an effective way to freshen up spaces affected by pet odours, lingering kitchen smells, or smoke. For example, cedar incense can help clear strong odours like fish or meat, leaving a refreshing forest-like scent. Incense can also be paired with cleaning and proper ventilation to manage smoke odours, although it may not be as effective in heavily saturated spaces.
In ancient times, incense was used by the Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. The Babylonians used incense while offering prayers to divine oracles, while the Egyptians employed incense for both pragmatic and mystical purposes, such as counteracting unpleasant odours and appeasing the gods. The use of incense in ancient times extended to its incorporation into religious practices, such as in Hinduism and Buddhism.
While incense has been valued for its aromatic and ceremonial purposes, recent studies have highlighted potential health risks associated with its use. The smoke released by incense contains various irritants and carcinogens, which can contribute to respiratory issues, asthma, and potentially, an increased risk of cancer and heart disease.
Therefore, while incense can be useful for masking livestock and body odours, it is important to be mindful of the potential health implications and to use it responsibly, especially in well-ventilated areas.
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Burning incense was a symbol of prayer
Burning incense has been a part of religious ceremonies for thousands of years, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The practice then spread to other parts of the world, including Egypt, China, and eventually East Asian countries like Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
In many religious traditions, burning incense is seen as a symbol of prayer. The smoke of the burning incense rising up to the heavens is thought to symbolise the prayers of the faithful ascending to God or other deities. This symbolism is found in various religious texts, such as Psalm 141 (140), verse 2 in the Bible: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice".
In Christianity, the use of incense in prayer and worship carries symbolic meaning. The smoke of incense is interpreted by Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a representation of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. In the Book of Revelation, incense symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven, with the "golden bowls full of incense" representing "the prayers of the saints" that infuse upwards towards the altar of God.
In Mandaeism, incense is offered during rituals such as baptism and death masses, accompanied by prayers from the Qulasta. Similarly, in Hinduism, incense is offered to God as a part of daily ritual worship, with the belief that "Krishna accepts the offering made to Him with love".
The act of burning incense as a symbol of prayer is also found in other religious traditions, such as Buddhism and Shintoism, where incense plays an invaluable role in ceremonies and rites.
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Incense was burned only in the tabernacle and temple
The burning of incense was a practice in Old Testament worship. Incense was burned in the tabernacle and temple, which were considered the earthly throne rooms of God. The altar of incense was considered "most holy to the Lord" and was located in the Holy of Holies, where God's presence resided in the temple above the Ark of the Covenant. The incense was burned with fire from the altar of burnt offerings, and its fragrant smoke was believed to symbolise the prayers of God's people rising to God.
The practice of burning incense was restricted to the priests descended from Aaron. Kings were not allowed to burn incense. For instance, when King Uzziah entered the temple to burn incense on the altar, he was confronted by the high priest and eighty other priests who protested that only the priests were allowed to burn incense. Uzziah was struck with leprosy as punishment for his disobedience and forced to live separately until his death.
The altar of incense was constructed with materials fit for a king, including gold and acacia wood, and it was adorned with horns upon which the priests would sprinkle aromatic spices, including frankincense. The incense was to be burned continuously, symbolising the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation and God's desire for the Israelites to be holy. The sweet-smelling smoke of the incense was believed to be pleasing to God, and it served to mask the unpleasant odours of livestock and unwashed bodies.
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Incense burning was not a part of New Testament worship
The burning of incense has been a common practice across many cultures and religions. In India, the use of incense dates back to as early as 3600 BC, while it became popular in China around 2000 BC. Greek, Egyptian, Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic cultures also incorporate incense in their rituals and practices.
In the Bible, incense burning was a practice for temple worship in the Old Testament. According to the Book of Deuteronomy, "They shall put incense before you, and whole burnt offerings on your altar." The altar of incense was considered holy, and it symbolized the prayers of God's people ascending to God, similar to how the smoke of incense ascended in the sanctuary. The priests who descended from Aaron were the ones who burned incense, and even kings were not allowed to do so.
However, incense burning was not a part of New Testament worship. While there are some references to incense in the New Testament, most mentions are found in the Old Testament. Incense burning was more common among the Jews compared to Christians. The practice of burning incense in some Christian denominations, such as Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, was adopted from other religions and did not appear in Christian worship until about 500 years after Christ.
Some Christians, particularly Catholics, burn incense during religious events and funeral Masses as part of purification rituals. The ingredients for this holy incense are believed to have been handed down to Moses by God and typically include myrrh, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. However, other Christian branches, such as Evangelical Churches, avoid burning incense due to its association with sacrifices. While a Christian may choose to burn incense, the priority should be obedience to God rather than ritual offerings.
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King Uzziah was punished with leprosy for burning incense
The burning of incense is a ritual that holds significance in the Bible. It is seen as a symbol of the prayers of God's people, ascending to God in the form of smoke. The altar of incense is considered holy, and only the high priest is allowed to burn incense on it.
King Uzziah, also known as Azariah, was the tenth king of the ancient Kingdom of Judah. He took the throne at a young age of 16 and reigned for about 52 years. During the earlier part of his reign, under the influence of the prophet Zechariah, he was faithful to God. However, his strength and success led to his downfall, as pride consumed him.
Uzziah's act of disobedience that led to his punishment is recorded in 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. In his pride, King Uzziah went into the LORD's Temple to burn incense on the altar, which was not right, as only the priests, Aaron's descendants, were prepared and allowed to perform this holy work. His anger at being confronted by the priests further demonstrated his unfaithfulness to God. As a result, he was punished with leprosy, also known as "tzaraath" in Jewish tradition, breaking out on his forehead in front of the priests in the Temple.
The punishment of King Uzziah serves as a reminder that God desires not just ritualistic obedience but also faithfulness and humility from his people. Uzziah's punishment also underscores the importance of following the designated roles and rituals in worship, as outlined in the Bible.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the Bible, burning incense in the Lord's temple was the job of the priests, not the king. King Uzziah tried to burn incense and God punished him with leprosy.
The altar of incense was considered holy and was a symbol of the prayers of God's people. The incense was burned with fire from the altar of burnt offerings, and the smoke ascending from it was likened to prayers rising to God.
The incense was made of an equal mixture of five spices, including frankincense.
The burning of incense was practised in the Old Testament by the Israelites. It was not a part of New Testament worship and was not practised by early Christians.
