Topical Encyclopedia 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. This sacred piece of furniture was located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple, and was used for burning incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God.Biblical Description and Construction The instructions for the construction of the Altar of Incense are detailed in the Book of Exodus. According to Exodus 30:1-3 , "You are also to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense. It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high. Its horns must be of one piece with it. Overlay the top and all the sides and horns with pure gold, and make a molding of gold around it." The altar was made of acacia wood, a durable and resilient material, and was overlaid with pure gold, signifying its sacred purpose and the holiness required in approaching God. The use of gold, a precious metal, underscores the value and reverence associated with the worship of Yahweh. Function and Ritual Use The primary function of the Altar of Incense was to burn a special blend of incense, as commanded by God. Exodus 30:7-8 states, "And Aaron is to 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 perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come." The incense was to be burned twice daily, in the morning and at twilight, by the high priest, symbolizing the continual prayers and intercession of the people before God. The fragrant smoke represented the prayers of the Israelites rising to heaven, as echoed in Psalm 141:2 , "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering." Symbolism and Theological Significance The Altar of Incense, covered with gold, is rich in symbolism. The gold overlay signifies purity, holiness, and the divine nature of God. The incense itself, a unique blend that was not to be replicated for personal use (Exodus 30:34-38), represents the sanctity and exclusivity of worship directed towards God alone. In the broader theological context, the Altar of Incense points to the intercessory role of Christ. In the New Testament, the imagery of incense is associated with the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8), and Christ is seen as the ultimate High Priest who intercedes on behalf of believers (Hebrews 7:25). Historical and Cultural Context The Altar of Incense was an integral part of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, serving as a constant reminder of the need for holiness and the importance of prayer in the life of the covenant community. Its presence in the Holy Place, just before the veil leading to the Most Holy Place, signifies the closeness of God to His people and the accessibility of His presence through prayer and intercession. Throughout Israel's history, the proper use of the Altar of Incense was a measure of the nation's faithfulness to God's covenant. Instances of misuse or neglect of the altar, such as offering unauthorized incense (Leviticus 10:1-2), resulted in severe consequences, underscoring the seriousness with which God regarded His instructions for worship. In summary, the Altar of Incense, covered with gold, serves as a profound symbol of prayer, intercession, and the holiness required in approaching God. Its construction, function, and symbolism reflect the deep theological truths of the Old Testament and point forward to the fulfillment of these truths in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 30:3And you shall overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and you shall make to it a crown of gold round about. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 37:26 Library A Description of the Temple. Concerning the Tabernacle which Moses Built in the Wilderness for ... The Copies of Things in the Heavens Of the Building of this Temple Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... Following the Cloud. What is the Sanctuary? The Child Samuel. What is the Sanctuary? Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph 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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