Lexical Summary qetorah: Incense, smoke Original Word: קְטוֹרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance incense From qatar; perfume -- incense. see HEBREW qatar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as qitor Definition smoke of sacrifice NASB Translation incense (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קְטוֺרָה noun masculine smoke of sacrifice; — absolute Deuteronomy 33:10 (E; Di and others of incense.). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Old Testament Context קְטוֹרָה denotes the fragrant smoke of incense offered in covenant worship. Its singular occurrence in the Hebrew canon (Deuteronomy 33:10) stands against a backdrop of extensive legislation concerning incense in the Pentateuch, underscoring its centrality to Israel’s priestly ministry. Biblical Usage and Key Passage Deuteronomy 33:10: “They will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel. They will set incense before You, and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.” In Moses’ blessing of Levi, incense is singled out with burnt offerings to summarize the tribe’s mediatorial role. The verse presupposes the daily and annual rites already laid out in Exodus and Leviticus, where incense is inseparable from sacrificial worship (Exodus 30:7-8; Leviticus 16:12-13). Role in Priestly Worship • Daily intercession: Incense was burned each morning and evening on the golden altar (Exodus 30:7-8), symbolizing an unbroken ministry of prayer. Theological Themes 1. Mediation: Incense rises between sinful people and a holy God, prefiguring the mediating work of Christ. Historical Considerations In the First Temple, the priestly schedule retained the twice-daily incense offering (1 Chronicles 23:30-31). Post-exilic practice continued this rhythm; by the time of Zechariah’s service (Luke 1:8-11), the burning of incense had become the climactic act of the morning liturgy, accompanied by silent prayer from the assembled worshipers. Foreshadowing and Fulfillment in Christ Wise men presented frankincense to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:11), hinting at His priestly vocation. Revelation portrays heavenly incense interpreted as “the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4), now accepted through the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:24-28). The sweet aroma typology culminates in believers spreading “the fragrance of the knowledge of Him” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). Lessons for Contemporary Ministry • Persistent Prayer: The perpetual incense challenges believers to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Related Scriptures for Further Study Exodus 30:1-10; Exodus 30:34-38; Leviticus 16:11-13; Numbers 16:46-48; Psalm 141:1-2; Isaiah 6:4-7; Luke 1:8-13; Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 8:3-4 Forms and Transliterations קְטוֹרָה֙ קטורה ketoRah qə·ṭō·w·rāh qəṭōwrāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 33:10 HEB: לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יָשִׂ֤ימוּ קְטוֹרָה֙ בְּאַפֶּ֔ךָ וְכָלִ֖יל NAS: They shall put incense before KJV: they shall put incense before INT: to Israel shall put incense before and whole 1 Occurrence |
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