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 situated in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple, directly in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 30:6). The altar was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, symbolizing its sacred purpose and the holiness required in approaching God.

Daily Incense Offering

The primary use of the Altar of Incense was for the burning of incense, a ritual that was performed twice daily by the priests. According to Exodus 30:7-8, Aaron, the high priest, was instructed to burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning and at twilight. This perpetual incense offering was a symbol of the prayers of the people 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."

Atonement and Purification

The Altar of Incense also played a role in the atonement and purification rituals. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would make atonement on its horns with the blood of the sin offering (Exodus 30:10). This act symbolized the purification of the altar and the sanctification of the people's prayers, ensuring that they were acceptable to God.

Symbol of Intercession

The incense offering on the altar served as a powerful symbol of intercession. The fragrant smoke rising from the altar represented the intercessory prayers of the priests on behalf of the people. This is further illustrated in the New Testament, where the imagery of incense is used to describe the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4).

Prohibition of Unauthorized Incense

The use of the Altar of Incense was strictly regulated, and unauthorized incense or offerings were prohibited. In Leviticus 10:1-2, the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, resulting in their death. This incident underscores the importance of approaching God with reverence and obedience to His commands.

Connection to the Presence of God

The Altar of Incense was closely associated with the presence of God. Positioned before the veil, it was the closest piece of furniture to the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant resided. The incense offering was a daily reminder of the need for holiness and the privilege of drawing near to God, who dwelt among His people.

Spiritual Significance

In a broader spiritual context, the Altar of Incense signifies the importance of prayer and worship in the life of believers. It serves as a reminder of the need for continual intercession and the sweet aroma of a life devoted to God. The practice of burning incense on this altar points to the ultimate intercessor, Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice and ongoing intercession make it possible for believers to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:14-16).Exodus 30:7-10,26,27
And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresses the lamps, he shall burn incense on it.
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Exodus 40:27
And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.
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Leviticus 4:7,18
And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
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Leviticus 8:15
And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation on it.
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Leviticus 9:9
And the sons of Aaron brought the blood to him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:
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Leviticus 16:12,18
And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil:
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The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... The position of the altar of incense was right in the ... and feet before ministering
at the altar or entering ... objects, simply devoted them to sacred uses, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Exodus
... the morning and evening offering (xxix.), the altar of incense ... the laver, the holy
oil, the incense (xxx.), the ... documents (J), as we have seen, uses the word ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... tabernacle, for covering the tabernacle itself, the candlestick, and altar of incense,
and the ... fifty; and what was collected was spent in the uses of the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... The Douay version uses both expressions], which was situated to the east. ... the "altar
of incense," which was directly opposite the ark; the "table of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

A People Prepared for the Lord
... He is coming who uses the great winnowing fan; be the true wheat, or else be ... him
an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/a people prepared for the.htm

Scriptural Types.
... elsewhere; 1 Kings 11:29-39; 22:11, where a false prophet uses a symbol ... and separated
from it by the inner vail, was the golden altar of incense, on which ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God...
... Zacharias the angel of the Lord, standing [13] at the right of the altar of incense;
[88] and ... [166] Here and elsewhere the Arabic translator uses life and ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section i in the beginning.htm

The Epistle to the Hebrews
... a knowledge of the Hebrew when he makes quotations, and he uses such phrases as ... to
the ark (Exodus 16:34; Numbers 17:10); (c) the altar of incense is said ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xviii the epistle to.htm

Books of the Hebrew Canon.
... Altar of Burnt-offering (xxxviii.22"24 ... Oil and Incense (xxxviii.25"26 ... A) nos.1, 2,
3, 6, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 + 13; the Roman Church uses at Lauds on successive ...
/.../chapter ii books of the.htm

The Heavenly Workers and the Earthly Watchers
... He uses them as His weapons in the contest of His love with the world's hatred;
but the hand ... Day by day, there ascended from the altar of incense the sweet ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the heavenly workers and the.htm

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