What does the Bible say about using incense?

Definition and Nature of Incense in Scripture

Incense in biblical times was typically a combination of fragrant spices and resins—such as frankincense, myrrh, stacte, and galbanum—burned on altars or censers. It was most often used as an act of worship, symbolizing reverence and prayer offered to God. Archaeological findings in the ancient Near East, such as the discovery of small incense altars in areas once inhabited by Israelite communities, support the biblical descriptions and regulations associated with incense (cf. reference to the Lachish excavation sites).

Old Testament Teaching and Regulation

Throughout the Old Testament, incense is described as a significant component in the sacrificial system and public worship. In the tabernacle (and later in the temple), the priests were instructed to burn it daily. Exodus 30:7–8 states, “And Aaron is to 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 as a perpetual incense before the LORD for the generations to come.”

God prescribed the specific ingredients and how incense should be made and used. Exodus 30:34–36 gives the detailed formula. Moreover, the practice was accompanied by regulations forbidding unauthorized use. Exodus 30:37–38 commands that this sacred incense must not be replicated for personal enjoyment, declaring, “You must not make incense for yourselves using this formula. It is to be holy to you, reserved for the LORD. Anyone who makes something like it to enjoy its fragrance shall be cut off from his people.”

The Temple worship under King Solomon and later reforms included incense offerings by priests appointed according to specific lineage mandates (2 Chronicles 13:10–11). The presence and adherence to these regulations highlight how God was—and is—concerned with proper, reverent worship.

Symbolic Meaning of Incense

In Scripture, incense typically signifies the prayers of God’s people and their worshipful devotion. The act of burning incense was often understood to accompany offerings or expressions of homage. Psalm 141:2 illustrates this, “May my prayer be set before You like incense, my raised hands like the evening offering.”

Incense was also a tangible reminder that the people’s adoration, thanks, and petitions ascended to God. From a theological standpoint, God desired His worshipers to approach Him with sincerity, recognizing that ritual without genuine devotion is meaningless. Incense was never meant to be an end in itself but a representation of heartfelt faith.

Instances of Misuse

Although incense held a sacred place in Israel’s worship, it was also subject to misuse. Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, offered “unauthorized fire” before Yahweh in Leviticus 10:1–2 and were struck down. This event underscores the principle that worship practices, even if including incense, must align with God’s specific instructions and not be carried out in self-reliance or disobedience.

The prophets also condemned Israel and Judah when they used incense in idolatrous ways, burning it before false gods (Jeremiah 44:15–19). Such misuse prompted rebuke, as the Lord requires exclusive worship (Exodus 20:3–4).

Incense in the New Testament

Incense continues to have symbolic significance in the New Testament, where it is explicitly tied to the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8 portrays the twenty-four elders with “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Similarly, Revelation 8:3–4 describes an angel who “was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God.”

In Luke 1:9–10, Zacharias (the father of John the Baptist) burns incense as part of his priestly duties. This passage confirms that the ancient practice continued into the time of the early New Testament era. However, the emphasis in the New Covenant focuses strongly on the reality symbolized by incense—prayer—and the worship of God in spirit and truth (John 4:23–24).

Practical Considerations and Conclusion

Scripture clearly teaches that incense was part of Old Testament worship, symbolizing prayer and reverence for God. Its use was strictly regulated, guarded against misuse or imitation, and carried forward symbolically into the New Testament as a picture of believers’ prayers. While the Bible does not forbid incense in personal or congregational practice today, the foundational principle is that worshipers must approach in faith, sincerity, and alignment with God’s revealed truth.

Christians reflecting on the use of incense can be reminded that Scripture places the greatest emphasis on the posture of the heart and the authenticity of worship. Incense in the Old Testament served as a physical representation of prayers ascending to God, foreshadowing the intimate relationship believers now have through Christ.

The archaeological evidence supporting the existence of altars for incense in the tabernacle and temple periods reaffirms the historical reliability of these biblical passages. Across centuries, the consistent testimony of Scripture points to a God who values genuine devotion over mere ritual. Whether one uses incense or not, the core takeaway is to worship God in the way He has prescribed, offering prayers that rise before Him in spirit and truth.