Lexical Summary thumiaó: To burn incense Original Word: θυμιάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burn incense. From a derivative of thuo (in the sense of smoking); to fumigate, i.e. Offer aromatic fumes -- burn incense. see GREEK thuo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom thuó Definition to burn incense NASB Translation burn incense (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2370: θυμιάωθυμιάω, θυμιω: 1 aorist infinitive θυμιάσαι (R G θυμασαι); (from θῦμα, and this from θύω, which see); in Greek writings from Pindar, Herodotus, Plato down; the Sept. for קִטֵּר and הִקְטִיר; to burn incense: Luke 1:9. Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Conceptual Field The verb refers to the priestly act of offering fragrant incense upon an altar or within a censer. Rather than simple perfuming, it denotes a regulated sacrificial rite designed to create a pleasing aroma before God, symbolizing both consecration and intercessory approach. Old Testament Background Incense is first legislated in detail in the Mosaic covenant (Exodus 30:1-10). Morning and evening smokings formed part of the perpetual service of the sanctuary (Exodus 30:7-8), with a unique blend of spices reserved solely for worship (Exodus 30:34-38). Failure to observe God’s pattern brought judgment, as seen in Nadab and Abihu’s “unauthorized fire” (Leviticus 10:1-2) and Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16:16-35). The Psalter turns the ritual into metaphor: “May my prayer be set before You like incense” (Psalm 141:2). Temple Worship and the Incense Offering The altar of incense stood directly before the veil, closest to the Holy of Holies. Its location signified access to God through intercession. While blood sacrifices addressed atonement, the incense rite expressed communion and continual remembrance. Priests entered the Holy Place twice daily; the rising smoke coincided with public prayer outside, knitting private priestly ministry to corporate devotion (Luke 1:10). New Testament Occurrence (Luke 1:9) Luke records only one explicit use of the verb in the Greek New Testament. Zechariah, of the division of Abijah, “was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense” (Luke 1:9). The moment marks the transition from Old Covenant expectation to New Covenant fulfillment: while Zechariah performs the ancient ritual, Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah. The juxtaposition highlights how preparatory symbols give way to the advent of substance in Christ. Second Temple Setting and Priestly Service By the first century, approximately twenty-four priestly courses served in rotation. Each morning a lot determined who would place fresh coals and incense on the golden altar. Because a priest could perform the rite only once in his lifetime, Zechariah’s selection underscored divine providence. Outside, assembled worshipers prayed, demonstrating the rite’s representative nature on behalf of the nation (Luke 1:10). Symbolic and Theological Themes 1. Prayer and Intercession: Incense visually dramatizes petitions ascending to heaven, a theme echoed in Revelation 5:8 and Revelation 8:3-4, where heavenly bowls of incense are explicitly called “the prayers of the saints.” Christological Fulfillment Where the priest’s incense obtained momentary nearness, Christ’s atoning work secures permanent access. His ascension corresponds to the smoke rising heavenward, and His ongoing intercession fulfills the typology (Hebrews 9:24). Thus the once-daily ceremony finds completion in the perpetual priesthood of the risen Lord. Eschatological Perspectives In Revelation, incense appears in the context of divine judgment and ultimate redemption, showing that the prayers of God’s people actively participate in the unfolding of redemptive history (Revelation 8:3-5). The earlier temple ritual thereby foreshadows the climactic union of worship and consummation. Practical Ministry Applications • Worship Services: Public prayer can consciously echo the temple pattern—confession of sin (altar of burnt offering), cleansing (laver), and then intercession (incense). Devotional Reflection Zechariah’s once-in-a-lifetime moment, conducted in faithful obscurity, became the stage for God’s redemptive announcement. Likewise, routine acts of prayerful service may be the very setting in which God unfolds His larger purposes. Forms and Transliterations εθυμία εθυμίασαν εθυμιάσατε εθυμίασεν εθυμιάτε εθυμιώμεν εθυμίων θυμιαθήναι θυμιαθήτω θυμιάν θυμίαν θυμιασαι θυμιάσαι θυμιᾶσαι θυμίασαι θυμιάσατε θυμιάσει θυμιάτε θυμιώντα θυμιώντας θυμιώντες θυμιώσι θυμιώσιν τεθυμιαμένη thumiasai thymiasai thymiâsaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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