Topical Bible: Altar of Incense: Location of

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The Altar of Incense, also known as the Golden Altar, holds significant importance in the worship practices of ancient Israel as described in the Old Testament. It was a key component of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, serving as a place where incense was burned daily as an offering to the Lord.

Tabernacle Location:

In the Tabernacle, the Altar of Incense was strategically placed in the Holy Place, directly in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies. This positioning is detailed in the book of Exodus: "Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony—before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony—where I will meet with you" (Exodus 30:6). The altar was situated between the table of showbread and the golden lampstand, symbolizing its central role in the worship and intercession of the priests.

Temple Location:

When Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem, the Altar of Incense retained its position in the Holy Place. The Temple's design followed the pattern of the Tabernacle, albeit on a grander scale. The altar continued to stand before the inner sanctuary, as described in 1 Kings: "He made the altar of incense from cedar wood and overlaid it with pure gold, as well as the altar of burnt offering" (1 Kings 6:20). This continuity underscores the altar's enduring role in the religious life of Israel.

Symbolic Significance:

The location of the Altar of Incense, near the veil and before the Ark of the Covenant, highlights its symbolic function as a point of mediation between God and His people. The incense offered on this altar represented the prayers of the Israelites ascending to God, as reflected in Psalm 141:2: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering" . The altar's proximity to the Most Holy Place signifies the closeness of the prayers to the divine presence.

New Testament Reference:

In the New Testament, the Altar of Incense is mentioned in the context of the heavenly sanctuary. The book of Revelation describes an altar before the throne of God, where an angel offers incense with the prayers of the saints: "Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne" (Revelation 8:3). This imagery reinforces the altar's role as a symbol of intercession and divine communication.

The Altar of Incense, through its location and function, serves as a profound reminder of the importance of prayer and worship in the life of the believer, bridging the earthly and the divine.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 30:6
And you shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 40:5,26
And you shall set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

What is the Sanctuary?
... full explanation of the subject of the sanctuary, its nature, location, and services ...
the holy from the most holy was the golden altar of incense, from which ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... full explanation of the subject of the sanctuary, its nature, location, and services ...
the holy from the most holy was the golden altar of incense, from which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

The Bible
... Christian dead either as to their location or condition. ... light of the world." The
golden altar and the ... his swinging censer of burning incense standing thereat ...
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