Topical Encyclopedia The Altar of Incense, also known as the Golden Altar, holds a significant place in the worship practices of ancient Israel as described in the Old Testament. It was situated in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, directly in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This altar was used exclusively for burning incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God.Construction and Design The instructions for the construction of the Altar of Incense are detailed in Exodus 30:1-10. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, measuring a cubit in length and width, and two cubits in height. The altar featured horns on its four corners, also overlaid with gold, and a gold molding around its top. Two gold rings were attached to its sides to hold poles for transportation, ensuring that the altar could be moved without being touched directly. Anointing with Holy Oil The anointing of the Altar of Incense with holy oil was a critical aspect of its consecration. Exodus 30:26-28 describes the process: "With it you are to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony, the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand." This anointing set the altar apart for sacred use, signifying its role in the divine service and its sanctification by God. The holy anointing oil itself was a unique blend, as specified in Exodus 30:22-25, composed of liquid myrrh, sweet-smelling cinnamon, fragrant cane, cassia, and olive oil. This oil was not to be replicated for personal use, underscoring its sacred purpose (Exodus 30:32-33). Function and Symbolism The primary function of the Altar of Incense was to burn incense every morning and evening, as commanded in Exodus 30:7-8: "Aaron must burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense again. There is to be incense burned regularly before the LORD for the generations to come." This perpetual offering of incense symbolized the continuous prayers and intercessions of the people before God. The incense itself was a specific blend, as outlined in Exodus 30:34-38, and was considered holy. Unauthorized use or replication of this incense was strictly forbidden, emphasizing its exclusive role in worship. Theological Significance The Altar of Incense holds deep theological significance within the biblical narrative. It represents the intercessory role of the priesthood and the importance of prayer in the life of the covenant community. The rising smoke of the incense is often seen as a metaphor for the prayers of the faithful 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." In the New Testament, the imagery of incense continues to hold symbolic meaning. Revelation 8:3-4 describes an angel offering incense with the prayers of the saints before the throne of God, illustrating the continuity of this symbol in the worship of the heavenly realm. Conclusion The Altar of Incense, anointed with holy oil, served as a vital component of the Tabernacle's worship system, embodying the sanctity of prayer and the intercessory ministry of the priests. Its consecration with holy oil and the specific rituals associated with it underscore the sacredness of approaching God, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical text. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 30:26,27And you shall anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;' On Daniel. Ii. The Interpretation by Hippolytus, (Bishop) of Rome ... A Description of Heart-Purity On the Use of Ointments and Crowns. Psalm CXLI. Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ... Ancestors of the Blessed virgin The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem: Princely Service. Vile Ingratitude! Resources What is an altar? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the brazen altar? | GotQuestions.org What was the significance of the altar of incense? | GotQuestions.org Altar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics 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: 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: 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: No Strange Incense Nor Any Sacrifice to be offered On 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 used in Idolatrous Worship Altar: Built by the Reubenites and Gadites Altar: Mosaic Commandments Prescribing the Construction of 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 Burnt-sacrifice (13 Occurrences) Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences) Meat-offerings (10 Occurrences) |
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