Topical Encyclopedia 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 16:46-50And 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 The Day of Atonement Christ's Priestly Office The Copies of Things in the Heavens The Redeemer's Prayer What is the Sanctuary? What is the Sanctuary? The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ... Relation of the Pharisees to the Sadducees and Essenes, and to the ... Fifth Sunday in Lent Resources What are the various theories on the atonement? | GotQuestions.orgIf 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 Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Atonement for Tabernacle and Furniture Atonement for Those Defiled by the Dead Atonement in Consummation of the Levites Atonement: Day of How Observed 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: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To 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: Faith In, Indispensable 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: Ministers should Fully Set Forth The Atonement: Reconciles the Justice and Mercy of God The Atonement: Reconciliation to God Effected 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 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: 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) Trespass-offering (34 Occurrences) Guilt-offering (34 Occurrences) Unintentionally (20 Occurrences) Peace-offering (46 Occurrences) Sin-offering (115 Occurrences) Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences) |