Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Composition: Incense in the Bible refers to a fragrant substance that is burned to produce a pleasing aroma. It is often composed of a mixture of spices and gums, including frankincense, myrrh, and other aromatic resins. The specific formula for sacred incense is detailed in Exodus 30:34-38, where the LORD instructs Moses on the ingredients: "Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures." Biblical Usage: Incense holds significant ceremonial and symbolic importance in the Bible. It is primarily associated with worship and the presence of God. In the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, incense was burned on the Altar of Incense, which stood before the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 30:1-10). The burning of incense was a daily ritual performed by the priests, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God. Psalm 141:2 reflects this symbolism: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering." Priestly Function: The responsibility of burning incense was reserved for the priests, specifically the descendants of Aaron. This is emphasized in passages such as Leviticus 16:12-13, where Aaron is instructed to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense to bring inside the veil. The act of burning incense was considered sacred, and unauthorized use or offering of incense was met with severe consequences, as seen in the account of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-2. Symbolism and Prophetic Imagery: Incense is often used symbolically in the Bible to represent prayer, worship, and the divine presence. In the prophetic literature, incense is associated with the nations coming to worship the LORD. Malachi 1:11 states, "For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to My name, because My name will be great among the nations," declares the LORD Almighty. New Testament References: In the New Testament, incense continues to hold symbolic meaning. In the Book of Revelation, incense is linked to the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8 describes the twenty-four elders holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Similarly, Revelation 8:3-4 depicts an angel offering incense with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne of God. Cultural and Historical Context: The use of incense was not unique to Israel but was common in the ancient Near East for both religious and secular purposes. However, the biblical injunctions regarding incense emphasize its role in the worship of the one true God, setting it apart from pagan practices. The specific formula and use prescribed in the Mosaic Law underscored the holiness and distinctiveness of Israel's worship. Warnings Against Misuse: The Bible contains warnings against the misuse of incense, particularly in the context of idolatry and false worship. In Jeremiah 44:8, the LORD condemns the people of Judah for burning incense to other gods, provoking Him to anger. Such practices were seen as a violation of the covenant relationship between God and His people. Conclusion: While incense in the Bible serves as a tangible element of worship, its deeper significance lies in its representation of prayer, devotion, and the presence of God. Its prescribed use in the Tabernacle and Temple underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence and obedience. Smith's Bible Dictionary Incensefrom the Latin "to burn," "a mixture of gums or spices and the like, used for the purpose of producing a perfume when burned;" or the perfume itself of the spices, etc., burned in worship. The incense employed in the service of the tabernacle walls compounded of the perfumes stacte, onycha, galbanum and pure frankincense. All incense which was not made of these ingredients was forbidden to be offered. (Exodus 30:9) Aaron, as high priest, was originally appointed to offer incense each morning and evening. The times of offering incense were specified in the instructions first given to Moses. (Exodus 30:7,8) When the priest entered the holy place with the incense, all the people were removed from the temple, and from between the porch and the altar. Cf. (Luke 1:10) Profound silence was observed among the congregation who were praying without, cf. (Revelation 8:1) and at a signal from the perfect the priest cast the incense on the fire and, bowing reverently toward the holy of holies, retired slowly backward. The offering of incense has formed part of the religious ceremonies of most ancient nations. It was an element in the idolatrous worship of the Israelites. (2 Chronicles 34:25; Jeremiah 11:12,17; 48:35) It would seem to be symbolical, not of itself, but of that which makes acceptable, the intercession of Christ. In (Revelation 8:3,4) the incense is of as something distinct from offered with the prayers of, all the saints cf. (Luke 1:10) and in Reve 6:8 It is the golden vials, and not the odors or incense, which are said to be the prayers of saints. ATS Bible Dictionary IncenseA dry, aromatic gum, exuding from a tree which grows in Arabia and India. It is called also frankincense, from the freedom with which when burning it gives forth its odors. Other spices were mixed with it to make the sacred incense, the use of which for any other purpose was strictly forbidden, Exodus 30:34-38. To offer incense, among the Hebrews, was an officer peculiar to the priests; for which purpose they entered into the holy apartment of the temple every morning and evening. On the great day of expiation, the high-priest burnt incense in his censer as he entered the Holy of Holies, and the smoke which arose from it prevented his looking with too much curiosity on the ark and mercy seat, Le 16:13. The Levites were not permitted to touch the censers; and Korah, Dathan, and Abiram suffered a terrible punishment for violating this prohibition. Incense was especially a symbol of prayer. While it was offered, the people prayed in the court without, and their prayers ascended with the sweet odor of the incense, until the priest returned and gave the blessing. So Christ presents his people and their prayers to God, accepted through his merits and intercession, and gives them the blessing, "Your sins are forgiven; go in peace," Psalm 141:2 Luke 2:9 Revelation 5:8 8:4. "Incense" sometimes signifies the sacrifices and fat of victims, as no other kind of incense was offered on the altar of burnt-offerings, Psalm 66:15. For a description of the altar of incense, see ALTAR. Easton's Bible Dictionary A fragrant composition prepared by the "art of the apothecary." It consisted of four ingredients "beaten small" (Exodus 30:34-36). That which was not thus prepared was called "strange incense" (30:9). It was offered along with every meat-offering; and besides was daily offered on the golden altar in the holy place, and on the great day of atonement was burnt by the high priest in the holy of holies (30:7, 8). It was the symbol of prayer (Psalm 141:1, 2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3, 4). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To set on fire; to inflame; to kindle; to burn.2. (v. t.) To inflame with anger; to enkindle; to fire; to incite; to provoke; to heat; to madden. 3. (n.) To offer incense to. See Incense. 4. (n.) To perfume with, or as with, incense. 5. (n.) The perfume or odors exhaled from spices and gums when burned in celebrating religious rites or as an offering to some deity. 6. (n.) The materials used for the purpose of producing a perfume when burned, as fragrant gums, spices, frankincense, etc. 7. (n.) Also used figuratively. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia INCENSEin'-sens (qeTorah; in Jeremiah 44:21, qiTTer; in Malachi 1:11, qaTar, "In every place incense shall be offered unto my name"; the word lebhonah, translated "incense" in several passages in Isaiah and Jeremiah in the King James Version, is properly "frankincense," and is so rendered in the Revised Version (British and American)): The offering of incense, or burning of aromatic substances, is common in the religious ceremonies of nearly all nations (Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, etc.), and it is natural to find it holding a prominent place in the tabernacle and temple-worship of Israel. The newer critical theory that incense was a late importation into the religion of Israel, and that the altar of incense described in Exodus 30:1 is a post-exilian invention, rests on presuppositions which are not here admitted, and is in contradiction to the express notices of the altar of incense in 1 Kings 6:20, 22; 1 Kings 7:48; 1 Kings 9:25; compare 2 Chronicles 4:19 (see discussion of the subject by Delitzsch in Luthardt's Zeitschrift, 1880, 113). In the denunciation of Eli in 1 Samuel 2:27, the burning of incense is mentioned as one of the functions of the priesthood (2:28). The "smoke" that filled the temple in Isaiah's vision (Isaiah 6:4) may be presumed to be the smoke of incense. The word keTorah itself properly denotes. "smoke." For the altar of incense see the article on that subject, and TABERNACLE and TEMPLE. The incense used in the tabernacle service-called "sweet incense" (keToreth ha-cammim, Exodus 25:6, etc.)-was compounded according to a definite prescription of the perfumes, stacte, onycha, galbanum and pure frankincense (Exodus 30:34 f), and incense not so compounded was rejected as "strange incense" (keTorah zarah, Exodus 30:9). In the offering of incense, burning coals from the altar of burnt offering were borne in a censer and put upon the altar of incense (the "golden altar" before the oracle), then the fragrant incense was sprinkled on the fire (compare Luke 1:9). Ample details of the rabbinical rules about incense may be seen in the article "Incense," in DB. SWEET INCENSE See SPICES. Greek 2369. thumiaterion -- altar of incense, a censer ... altar of incense, a censer. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: thumiaterion Phonetic Spelling: (thoo-mee-as-tay'-ree-on) Short Definition: altar of ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2369.htm - 6k 2370. thumiao -- to burn incense 2368. thumiama -- incense 3030. libanos -- the frankincense tree, frankincense 3031. libanotos -- frankincense, by ext. a censer Strong's Hebrew 7004. qetoreth -- smoke, odor of (burning) sacrifice, incense... 7003, 7004. qetoreth. 7005 . smoke, odor of (burning) sacrifice, incense. Transliteration: qetoreth Phonetic Spelling: (ket-o'-reth) Short Definition: incense ... /hebrew/7004.htm - 6k 7002. qitter -- incense 4729b. muqtar -- incense 4729c. meqatterah -- incense altar 5561. sam -- spice (used in incense) 2464. chelbenah -- gum (a type used in incense) 7827. shecheleth -- (an ingredient of the holy incense) perhaps ... 6999. qatar -- to make sacrifices smoke 6988. qetorah -- smoke of sacrifice 2553. chamman -- a sun pillar Library The Incense of Prayer The Altar of Incense Will any one Say that Incense is Given to the Celestials... Wine is Used Along with Incense; and of This... Sikera, a Manufactured and Spurious Wine, yet Intoxicating; Things ... We have Now to Say a Few Words About Incense and Wine... But Let There Be, as You Wish, Honour in Wine and in Incense... Who is She that Goeth up by the Wilderness, Like a Pillar of Smoke ... Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist. But if any have Endured Much violence and the Strong Pressure of ... Thesaurus Incense (167 Occurrences)... That which was not thus prepared was called "strange incense" (30:9). It was offered along with every meat-offering; and besides was daily offered on the ... /i/incense.htm - 44k Incense-altar (2 Occurrences) Incense-burners (1 Occurrence) Incense-altars (1 Occurrence) Spoon (13 Occurrences) Censer (10 Occurrences) Ladle (11 Occurrences) Fragrant (30 Occurrences) Weighing (39 Occurrences) Drugs (8 Occurrences) Resources Can a Christian burn incense? What does the Bible say about burning incense? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the significance of the altar of incense? | GotQuestions.org What are the prayers of the saints in Revelation 5:8? | GotQuestions.org Incense: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Incense (167 Occurrences)Matthew 2:11 Luke 1:9 Luke 1:10 Luke 1:11 2 Corinthians 2:14 Hebrews 9:4 Revelation 5:8 Revelation 8:3 Revelation 8:4 Revelation 9:13 Revelation 18:13 Exodus 25:6 Exodus 25:29 Exodus 30:1 Exodus 30:7 Exodus 30:8 Exodus 30:9 Exodus 30:27 Exodus 30:35 Exodus 30:37 Exodus 31:8 Exodus 31:11 Exodus 35:8 Exodus 35:15 Exodus 35:28 Exodus 37:16 Exodus 37:25 Exodus 37:29 Exodus 39:38 Exodus 40:5 Exodus 40:27 Leviticus 2:1 Leviticus 2:2 Leviticus 2:15 Leviticus 2:16 Leviticus 4:7 Leviticus 5:11 Leviticus 6:15 Leviticus 10:1 Leviticus 16:12 Leviticus 16:13 Leviticus 24:7 Leviticus 26:30 Numbers 4:7 Numbers 4:16 Numbers 5:15 Numbers 7:14 Numbers 7:20 Numbers 7:26 Numbers 7:32 Numbers 7:38 Numbers 7:44 Numbers 7:50 Numbers 7:56 Numbers 7:62 Numbers 7:68 Numbers 7:74 Numbers 7:80 Numbers 7:86 Numbers 16:7 Numbers 16:17 Numbers 16:18 Numbers 16:35 Numbers 16:40 Numbers 16:46 Numbers 16:47 Deuteronomy 33:10 1 Samuel 2:28 1 Kings 3:3 1 Kings 7:50 1 Kings 9:25 1 Kings 11:8 1 Kings 12:33 1 Kings 13:1 1 Kings 13:2 1 Kings 22:43 2 Kings 12:3 2 Kings 14:4 2 Kings 15:4 2 Kings 15:35 2 Kings 16:4 2 Kings 17:11 2 Kings 18:4 2 Kings 22:17 2 Kings 23:5 2 Kings 23:8 2 Kings 25:14 1 Chronicles 6:49 1 Chronicles 9:29 1 Chronicles 23:13 1 Chronicles 28:18 2 Chronicles 2:4 2 Chronicles 2:6 2 Chronicles 4:22 2 Chronicles 13:11 2 Chronicles 14:5 2 Chronicles 24:14 2 Chronicles 25:14 2 Chronicles 26:16 2 Chronicles 26:18 Subtopics Incense for God's Service Mixed With Sweet Spices Incense of an Acceptable Sacrifice Incense used in Idolatrous Worship Incense: An Article of Extensive Commerce Incense: Common, not to be offered to God Incense: Compounded by Bezaleel Incense: Designed for Atonement Incense: Formula for Compounding Incense: Korah and his Company Punished for offering Incense: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Incense: Levites had Charge of Incense: Nadab and Abihu Destroyed for offering, With Strange Fire Incense: None But Priest to offer Incense: Offered by Nadab and Abihu in an Unauthorized Manner Incense: Offered by the High Priest in the Most Holy Place on the Day of Incense: Offered in Idolatrous Worship Incense: Offered Morning and Evening Incense: Offered with Fire from off the Altar of Burnt offering Incense: Offered: Morning and Evening Incense: Offered: On the Altar of Gold Incense: Offering of, Allotted to the Priests Incense: Presented by the Wise Men to Jesus Incense: Presented to Christ by the Wise Men Incense: Put on Meat offerings Incense: Symbolical of the Prayers of Saints Incense: The Jews Prayed at Time of offering Incense: The Jews: Not Accepted in offering, on Account of Sin Incense: The Jews: Offered, to Idols on Altars of Brick Incense: The Jews: Punished for offering, to Idols Incense: Uzziah Punished for offering Related Terms Incense-burners (1 Occurrence) |
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