Altar of Incense in Solomon's Temple
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The Altar of Incense, also known as the Golden Altar, holds significant importance in the religious practices and rituals of ancient Israel, particularly within the context of Solomon's Temple. This sacred altar was a central element in the worship and sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites, serving as a place where incense was burned daily as an offering to the Lord.

Biblical Description and Specifications

The Altar of Incense was located in the Holy Place of Solomon's Temple, positioned before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies. According to the biblical account, the altar was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, signifying its sacred purpose and the divine presence it represented. The altar was square in shape, measuring one cubit in length and width, and two cubits in height, with horns on each of its four corners (1 Kings 6:20-22; Exodus 30:1-3).

Function and Ritual Use

The primary function of the Altar of Incense was to burn fragrant incense before the Lord, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God. The incense was a specific blend of spices, as commanded by God, and was to be burned every morning and evening by the priests (Exodus 30:7-8). This ritual was a perpetual ordinance, emphasizing the continual intercession and worship of the Israelites.

The burning of incense on this altar was a sacred duty, and only the priests were permitted to perform this task. The incense offering was considered a most holy act, and any deviation from the prescribed ritual was met with severe consequences, as demonstrated in the account of Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and were consumed by fire as a result (Leviticus 10:1-2).

Symbolism and Theological Significance

The Altar of Incense holds deep symbolic meaning within the biblical narrative. The rising smoke of the incense is often interpreted as a representation of the prayers and worship of the faithful ascending to God. This imagery is echoed in the Psalms, where David writes, "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering" (Psalm 141:2).

Furthermore, the Altar of Incense is seen as a foreshadowing of the intercessory work of Jesus Christ, who, as the Great High Priest, continually intercedes for believers before the throne of God (Hebrews 7:25). The altar's placement before the veil also signifies the barrier between God and humanity, a barrier that was ultimately torn down through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ, granting believers direct access to the Father (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 10:19-22).

Historical and Cultural Context

In the broader cultural and historical context, the use of incense in religious rituals was common in the ancient Near East. However, the specific instructions given to the Israelites set their practices apart, emphasizing the holiness and distinctiveness of their worship. The Altar of Incense in Solomon's Temple thus served as a constant reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, and the call to holiness and obedience in their worship practices.

References in Scripture

The Altar of Incense is mentioned in several key passages throughout the Old Testament, including the detailed instructions for its construction and use in Exodus 30:1-10, its presence in the Tabernacle and later in Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 6:20-22; 1 Chronicles 28:18), and its role in the daily worship practices of the priests (Exodus 30:7-8). These references underscore its enduring significance in the religious life of Israel and its theological implications for understanding the nature of worship and intercession.
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1 Kings 6:19,20
And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
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1 Kings 7:48
And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained to the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the show bread was,
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1 Chronicles 28:18
And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
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Library

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... for the making of the tables, flesh-hooks, cups, basins, altar of incense, with
the ... gave David the pattern of the temple, so David gave Solomon the pattern ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... These included the altar of incense, the table of ... The brazen furniture,"the altar
of burnt offering, the ... was the palatial building which Solomon and his ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Books of the Hebrew Canon.
... Altar of Burnt-offering (xxxviii.22"24). ... Oil and Incense (xxxviii.25"26 ... Again, whilst
deals with the whole of Solomon's public works before it describes the ...
/.../chapter ii books of the.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... the romantic hills and glens which form the scenes of Solomon's Song, till ... in the
solemn grandeur of the Temple, between the golden altar of incense and the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... clothed in white robes to minister at his altar. ... are daily uttered, and the smoking
incense of prayer ... between Christ's building the church, and Solomon, as the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

Jeroboam
... still conducted as in the years of Solomon's reign, many ... while he was officiating
and burning incense during the dedication of the strange altar he had set ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ...
... Passing along the eastern colonnade, or Solomon's Porch, we would, if the ... the Table
of Shewbread (north), and the Golden Altar of Incense between them. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x in the house.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... victim, had been bound to the altar,"emblem of ... waved their censers, and the cloud
of incense, with the ... who had seen the glory of Solomon's temple, and who ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... victim, had been bound to the altar"emblem of ... waved their censers, and the cloud
of incense, with the ... men who had seen the glory of Solomon's temple, and who ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... were full of oppression and blood; "incense is an ... the existence of the temple and
altar at Jerusalem ... prophecy of the rebuilding of Solomon's temple with the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about altar calls? Are altar calls biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the horns of the altar (Amos 3:14)? | GotQuestions.org

Why was the fire in the altar to burn continuously (Leviticus 6:13)? | GotQuestions.org

Altar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Altar

Altar in Solomon's Temple in Second Temple

Altar in Solomon's Temple: Cleansed by Hezekiah

Altar in Solomon's Temple: Description of

Altar in Solomon's Temple: Ezekiel's Vision of

Altar in Solomon's Temple: Furniture of, Taken to Babylon

Altar in Solomon's Temple: Removed by Ahaz, and One of Idolatrous Fashion Substituted

Altar in Solomon's Temple: Renewed by Asa

Altar in Solomon's Temple: Repaired by Manasseh

Altar in the Tabernacle: A Place of Refuge

Altar in the Tabernacle: Constructed by Bezaleel

Altar in the Tabernacle: Furniture of

Altar in the Tabernacle: Horns of

Altar in the Tabernacle: How Sanctified

Altar in the Tabernacle: Location of

Altar in the Tabernacle: Pattern of

Altar in the Tabernacle: Sanctified Everything That Touched It

Altar in the Tabernacle: See

Altar in the Tabernacle: Uses of the Horns

Altar of Burnt offerings: Called Altar of God

Altar of Burnt offerings: Called Altar of the Lord

Altar of Burnt offerings: Called Brazen Altar

Altar of Incense in Solomon's Temple

Altar of Incense: A Cover Made For, of the Censers of Korah

Altar of Incense: A Type of Christ

Altar of Incense: Altar Before the Lord

Altar of Incense: Altar of Sweet Incense

Altar of Incense: Anointed With Holy Oil

Altar of Incense: Atonement Made For, by the High Priest Once Every Year

Altar of Incense: Called the Golden Altar

Altar of Incense: Carried by Kohathites

Altar of Incense: Constructed

Altar of Incense: Covered by the Priest Before Removal from the Sanctuary

Altar of Incense: Covered With Gold

Altar of Incense: Dimensions of

Altar of Incense: had Four Rings of Gold Under the Crown for the Staves

Altar of Incense: How Prepared for Carrying

Altar of Incense: Location of

Altar of Incense: No Strange Incense Nor Any Sacrifice to be offered On

Altar of Incense: Pattern of

Altar of Incense: Placed Before the Vail in the Outer Sanctuary

Altar of Incense: Punishment For: Offering Strange Fire On

Altar of Incense: Punishment For: Unauthorised offering On

Altar of Incense: Said to be Before the Lord

Altar of Incense: Seen in John's Vision

Altar of Incense: Staves of, Covered With Gold

Altar of Incense: The Blood of all Sin offerings Put on the Horns of

Altar of Incense: The Priest Burned Incense on Every Morning and Evening

Altar of Incense: Top of, Surrounded With a Crown of Gold

Altar of Incense: Uses of

Altar used in Idolatrous Worship

Altar: Built by Abraham

Altar: Built by Balaam

Altar: Built by David

Altar: Built by Elijah

Altar: Built by Gideon

Altar: Built by Isaac

Altar: Built by Jacob

Altar: Built by Joshua

Altar: Built by Moses

Altar: Built by Noah

Altar: Built by Samuel

Altar: Built by Saul

Altar: Built by the Reubenites and Gadites

Altar: Mosaic Commandments Prescribing the Construction of

Altar: See

The Altar of Burnt-Offering was Most Holy

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: A Net-Working Grate of Brass Placed In

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: A Type of Christ

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Ahaz Removed and Profaned

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: All Gifts to be Presented At

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: All Its Vessels of Brass

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: All Sacrifices to be offered On

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Anointed and Sanctified With Holy Oil

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Called: The Altar of God

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Called: The Altar of the Lord

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Called: The Brazen Altar

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Cleansed and Purified With Blood

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Covered With Brass

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Dimensions of

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Furnished With Rings and Staves

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Horns on the Corners of

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Made After a Divine Pattern

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Nothing Polluted or Defective to be offered On

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Offering at the Dedication of

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Placed in the Court Before the Door of the Tabernacle

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Sacrifices Bound to the Horns of

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Sanctified by God

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Sanctified Whatever Touched It

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Blood of Sacrifices Put on the Horns and Poured at The

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Fire Upon was Continually Burning

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Fire Upon: Came from Before the Lord

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Fire Upon: Consumed the Sacrifices

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Jews Condemned for Swearing Lightly By

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Priests: Alone to Serve

The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Priests: Derived Support From

Related Terms

Incense-altar (2 Occurrences)

Perfume-altar (1 Occurrence)

Altar-hearths (2 Occurrences)

Soothing (40 Occurrences)

Censer (10 Occurrences)

Ba'al (55 Occurrences)

Sprinkleth (11 Occurrences)

Sanctifieth (21 Occurrences)

Pleasant (119 Occurrences)

Ashe'rah (18 Occurrences)

Aroma (50 Occurrences)

Bottom (33 Occurrences)

Horn (108 Occurrences)

Burnt-sacrifice (13 Occurrences)

Arranged (32 Occurrences)

Slaughtereth (13 Occurrences)

Savour (52 Occurrences)

Staffs (47 Occurrences)

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)

Sprinkled (55 Occurrences)

Aaron's (53 Occurrences)

Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)

Staves (50 Occurrences)

Pour (137 Occurrences)

Shrine (34 Occurrences)

Pole (21 Occurrences)

Buildeth (73 Occurrences)

Slew (206 Occurrences)

Sides (170 Occurrences)

Builded (65 Occurrences)

Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences)

Acacia (28 Occurrences)

Meat-offerings (10 Occurrences)

Memorial-part (7 Occurrences)

Baal's (6 Occurrences)

Copy (18 Occurrences)

Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)

Screen (26 Occurrences)

Strange (234 Occurrences)

Araunah (14 Occurrences)

Savor (51 Occurrences)

Smell (77 Occurrences)

Ashes (44 Occurrences)

Brazen (42 Occurrences)

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)

Sprinkle (37 Occurrences)

Smoke (98 Occurrences)

Sweet (147 Occurrences)

Attend (71 Occurrences)

Basins (33 Occurrences)

Plates (19 Occurrences)

Pertaineth (18 Occurrences)

Bull's (8 Occurrences)

Chalkstone

Contain (19 Occurrences)

Arrange (19 Occurrences)

Shelf (5 Occurrences)

Spice-perfume (5 Occurrences)

Swears (16 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Poles (58 Occurrences)

Shittim (34 Occurrences)

Beth-el (65 Occurrences)

Anointed (132 Occurrences)

Putteth (182 Occurrences)

Perfumes (69 Occurrences)

Manoah (14 Occurrences)

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)

Purify (39 Occurrences)

Bullocks (50 Occurrences)

Pulled (84 Occurrences)

Asylum

Courtyard (59 Occurrences)

Anointing (39 Occurrences)

Vessels (210 Occurrences)

Ablution

Memorial (54 Occurrences)

Built (299 Occurrences)

Perfume (202 Occurrences)

Altar of Incense
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