Atonement by Incense
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Atonement by incense is a significant concept within the Old Testament, where incense plays a crucial role in the sacrificial system and the worship practices of ancient Israel. Incense, a fragrant offering made from a blend of spices, was used in the tabernacle and later in the temple as a means of sanctifying the space and symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God.

Biblical Foundation

The use of incense in the context of atonement is primarily found in the Pentateuch, particularly in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. In Exodus 30:1-10, God commands Moses to build an altar of incense, which was to be placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Aaron, the high priest, was instructed to burn incense on this altar every morning and evening as a perpetual offering before the Lord.

The incense itself was a specific blend of spices, as detailed in Exodus 30:34-38, and was considered holy. The burning of incense was not merely a ritualistic act but held deep spiritual significance. It was a symbol of the prayers and intercessions of the people, as seen in Psalm 141:2, "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering."

Role in Atonement

The most direct connection between incense and atonement is found in the Day of Atonement rituals described in Leviticus 16. On this solemn day, the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the sins of the people. Leviticus 16:12-13 states, "Then he is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and bring them inside the veil. He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die."

The cloud of incense served as a protective covering for the high priest, shielding him from the direct presence of God, which was lethal to sinful man. This act of burning incense was integral to the atonement process, symbolizing the mediation between God and humanity.

Incense as Intercession

In Numbers 16, the narrative of Korah's rebellion provides another instance where incense is used in an intercessory role. When a plague broke out among the Israelites as a result of their rebellion, Moses instructed Aaron to take a censer, fill it with incense, and make atonement for the people. Numbers 16:46-48 records, "Moses said to Aaron, 'Take your censer, put fire from the altar in it, add incense, and take it quickly to the congregation to make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.' So Aaron did as Moses directed and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them."

Here, incense acts as a means of intercession, halting the plague and turning away God's wrath. This underscores the role of incense as a mediator between the divine and the human, a fragrant offering that appeases God's righteous anger.

Symbolism and Typology

In the broader biblical narrative, incense is often seen as a type of Christ's intercessory work. Just as incense was offered continually before the Lord, so Christ continually intercedes for believers before the Father. The fragrant aroma of incense parallels the pleasing sacrifice of Christ, whose atoning work is a sweet-smelling offering to God (Ephesians 5:2).

The use of incense in the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate atonement accomplished through Jesus Christ. While the incense offered in the tabernacle and temple was a temporary measure, pointing to the need for a greater sacrifice, Christ's atonement is complete and eternal, fulfilling the law and providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to God.
Nave's Topical Index
Numbers 16:46-50
And Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly to the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
2369. thumiaterion -- altar of incense, a censer
... censer, but) either the altar of incense, or the shovel, on which the high-priest
poured the coals, when he entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2369.htm - 6k
Library

The Day of Atonement
... purity, to bring us to God and God to us, to offer sacrifice which shall need no
after atonement to expiate its defects, and to stand without incense or blood ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

The Day of Atonement
... any one, as a part of the business of the great day of atonement, except by ... by him,
even the lighting of the candles, and the fires, and the incense, and all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... through Christ's intercession. We read in Leviticus 16 that Aaron made
atonement by the incense as well as by the blood. So we must ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... The position of the altar of incense was right in the line between the altar ... and
leads into 'the secret place of the Most High.' The yearly atonement for the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

The Redeemer's Prayer
... the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover ...
for all enter within the vail with his own blood to make an atonement for sin ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the redeemers prayer.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... On the day of atonement, two kids of the goats were brought to the door of ... The blood
was also to be sprinkled upon the altar of incense, that was before the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... On the Day of Atonement two kids of the goats were brought to the door of the ... The
blood was also to be sprinkled upon the altar of incense that was before the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ...
... [1565] Again, the Sadducees would have had the High-Priest, on the Day of Atonement,
kindle the incense before entering the Most Holy Place; the Pharisees ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the deputation from.htm

Relation of the Pharisees to the Sadducees and Essenes, and to the ...
... The Sadducees held, that on the Day of Atonement the high-priest should light
the incense before he actually entered the Most Holy Place. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 15 relation of the.htm

Fifth Sunday in Lent
... Again, his prayer, his sprinkled blood, his burnt incense, were all spiritual, for
it ... true Priest, should once die for us, to obtain for us the true atonement. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm

Resources
What are the various theories on the atonement? | GotQuestions.org

If Jesus is our atonement, why did He die at Passover instead of the Day of Atonement? | GotQuestions.org

What is the concept of the vicarious atonement? | GotQuestions.org

Atonement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Atonement

Atonement by Incense

Atonement by Jewels

Atonement by Meat offerings

Atonement by Money

Atonement for Tabernacle and Furniture

Atonement for Those Defiled by the Dead

Atonement in Consummation of the Levites

Atonement: Day of How Observed

Atonement: Day of Time of

Atonement: Made by Animal Sacrifices

Atonement: Made by Jesus with Context

Atonement: Made by Jesus: A Mystery

Atonement: Made by Jesus: Divinely Ordained

Atonement: Made by Jesus: Made But Once

Atonement: Made by Jesus: Redemption By

Atonement: Made by Jesus: Typified

Atonement: Made for Houses

Atonement: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

The Atonement was Voluntary

The Atonement: Acceptable to God

The Atonement: Access to God By

The Atonement: Commemorated in the Lord's Supper

The Atonement: Effected by Christ Alone

The Atonement: Exhibits The: Grace and Mercy of God

The Atonement: Exhibits The: Love of Christ

The Atonement: Exhibits The: Love of God

The Atonement: Explained

The Atonement: Faith In, Indispensable

The Atonement: Foreordained

The Atonement: Foretold

The Atonement: Has Delivered Saints from The: Power of Sin

The Atonement: Has Delivered Saints from The: Power of the Devil

The Atonement: Has Delivered Saints from The: Power of the World

The Atonement: Justification By

The Atonement: Made But Once

The Atonement: Ministers should Fully Set Forth

The Atonement: Necessity For

The Atonement: Reconciles the Justice and Mercy of God

The Atonement: Reconciliation to God Effected By

The Atonement: Redemption By

The Atonement: Remission of Sins By

The Atonement: Saints Glorify God For

The Atonement: Saints Praise God For

The Atonement: Saints Rejoice in God For

The Atonement: Sanctification By

The Atonement: Typified

the Day of Atonement: A Day of Humiliation

the Day of Atonement: Atonement Made On for the High Priest

the Day of Atonement: Atonement Made On for the Holy Place

the Day of Atonement: Atonement Made On for the Whole Congregation

the Day of Atonement: Observed As a Sabbath

the Day of Atonement: Offerings to be Made On

the Day of Atonement: Punishment for not Observing

the Day of Atonement: Tenth Day of Seventh Month

the Day of Atonement: The High Priest Entered Into the Holy Place On

the Day of Atonement: The Sins of the People Borne off by the Scapegoat On

the Day of Atonement: Typical

the Day of Atonement: Year of Jubilee Commenced On

Under the Law Atonement by Priests Alone

Under the Law Atonement: Extraordinary Cases of

Under the Law Atonement: Made by Sacrifice

Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Propitiating God

Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Purifying

Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Ransoming

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Sinning Ignorantly

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Sinning Wilfully

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Swearing Rashly

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Unclean

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Withholding Evidence

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Altar

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Congregation

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Healed Leper

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Holy Place

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Leprous House Healed

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Priests

Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Women After Childbirth

Under the Law Atonement: Typical of Christ's Atonement

Related Terms

Atonement-money (1 Occurrence)

Expiation (9 Occurrences)

Atonements (6 Occurrences)

Atone (8 Occurrences)

Forgiven (61 Occurrences)

Mercyseat (1 Occurrence)

Mercy-seat (23 Occurrences)

Propitiation (4 Occurrences)

Ransom (46 Occurrences)

Trespass-offering (34 Occurrences)

Guilt-offering (34 Occurrences)

Inadvertence (13 Occurrences)

Unintentionally (20 Occurrences)

Cleansed (76 Occurrences)

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)

Bullock (95 Occurrences)

Purify (39 Occurrences)

Festivals (17 Occurrences)

Sinned (156 Occurrences)

Atoned (8 Occurrences)

Azazel (3 Occurrences)

Fasts (3 Occurrences)

Bull (114 Occurrences)

Obedience (61 Occurrences)

Purification (25 Occurrences)

Trespass (101 Occurrences)

Unwittingly (17 Occurrences)

Inadvertently (6 Occurrences)

Remainder (33 Occurrences)

Errs (4 Occurrences)

Erred (14 Occurrences)

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)

Atoning (5 Occurrences)

Afford (12 Occurrences)

Annual (6 Occurrences)

Suffice (22 Occurrences)

Scapegoat (3 Occurrences)

Priest's (75 Occurrences)

Cereal (124 Occurrences)

Souls (114 Occurrences)

Community (77 Occurrences)

Restitution (21 Occurrences)

Ignorance (27 Occurrences)

Sin-offering (115 Occurrences)

Oblation (208 Occurrences)

Remnant (157 Occurrences)

Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences)

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)

Flux (26 Occurrences)

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)

Committed (201 Occurrences)

Behalf (140 Occurrences)

Consecrate (65 Occurrences)

Mediation

Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)

Ram (96 Occurrences)

He-goat (23 Occurrences)

Mediator (7 Occurrences)

Feasts (45 Occurrences)

Feast (209 Occurrences)

Anoint (59 Occurrences)

Tenth (89 Occurrences)

Blood (435 Occurrences)

Reconciliation (11 Occurrences)

Generations (148 Occurrences)

Guilt (180 Occurrences)

Reconcile (10 Occurrences)

Whereby (46 Occurrences)

Ignorantly (8 Occurrences)

Recompensed (20 Occurrences)

Erring (13 Occurrences)

Erreth (5 Occurrences)

Devote (36 Occurrences)

Makest (68 Occurrences)

Purge (35 Occurrences)

Purified (44 Occurrences)

Buck (23 Occurrences)

Convocation (19 Occurrences)

Atonement and Sacrifice
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