Lexical Summary miqtar: Place of burning, altar of incense Original Word: מִקְטָר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to burn From qatar; something to fume (incense) on i.e. A hearth place -- to burn...upon. see HEBREW qatar Brown-Driver-Briggs [מַקְטֵר, מִקְטָר] noun masculine place of sacrificial smoke; — construct מִוְבֵּחַ מִקְטַר קְטֹדֶת Exodus 30:1 altar, place of offering incense (SS Kau Buhl13 and others noun active burning). Topical Lexicon Canonical Setting The sole occurrence of מִקְטָר (miqṭar) stands at the head of Exodus 30, introducing the instructions for the golden altar of incense: “You are also to make an altar for the burning of incense; make it of acacia wood” (Exodus 30:1). Though the term itself appears only once, it opens an extended section (Exodus 30:1-10) that regulates the daily ministry of fragrant incense before the LORD in the Holy Place. Structural Role in the Tabernacle Placed immediately in front of the veil that screened the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 30:6), the incense altar formed a bridge between the outer ministry of sacrifice at the bronze altar and the inner reality of God’s throne at the mercy seat. Its position underscored a theology of progressive approach: blood atonement at the bronze altar, cleansing at the laver, communion at the table and lampstand, and finally intercession at the golden altar just before the presence of God. Daily Priestly Ministry Aaron and his sons were commanded, “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense again” (Exodus 30:7-8). Thus miqṭar signified a ministry that was: Symbolism of Prayer and Intercession Scripture frequently interprets incense as a figure of prayer: “May my prayer be set before You like incense” (Psalm 141:2), an image echoed in Revelation 8:3-4 where “the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God.” Miqṭar, therefore, embodies the sweet-smelling ascent of intercession grounded in atonement and illuminated by the lamp of revelation (the menorah that burned beside it). Historical Development from Tabernacle to Temple Solomon replicated the incense altar in gold within the Temple (1 Kings 7:48; 2 Chronicles 4:19). After periods of neglect (2 Chronicles 29:7), reforming kings restored its service (2 Chronicles 29:11). By the Second Temple era, the daily offering of incense became a coveted priestly privilege, as reflected in Luke 1:9 where Zechariah “was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” Typological Fulfillment in the Messiah The epistle to the Hebrews draws attention to the golden altar when describing the sanctuary (Hebrews 9:3-4), then presents Jesus Christ as the High Priest who entered “the greater and more perfect tabernacle” (Hebrews 9:11) carrying His own blood. Through Him “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place” (Hebrews 10:19). The altar of incense, foreshadowed by miqṭar, finds its fulfillment as Christ now “always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Practical Implications for Christian Worship 1. Persevering Prayer – The continual incense reminds believers to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Related Themes and References Exodus 37:25-29; Leviticus 10:1-2; Numbers 16:46-48; Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3-4. Forms and Transliterations מִקְטַ֣ר מקטר mikTar miq·ṭar miqṭarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 30:1 HEB: וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מִזְבֵּ֖חַ מִקְטַ֣ר קְטֹ֑רֶת עֲצֵ֥י NAS: an altar as a place for burning incense; KJV: an altar to burn incense INT: shall make an altar A place incense wood 1 Occurrence |
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