Topical Encyclopedia The Altar of Incense holds a significant place in the worship practices of ancient Israel, as detailed in the Old Testament. It was an integral part of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, serving as a focal point for the offering of incense, which symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God.Biblical Description and Construction The instructions for the construction of the Altar of Incense are found in Exodus 30:1-10. It was to be 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 to be attached under the molding on opposite sides to hold poles for carrying the altar, which were also made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. Placement and Function The Altar of Incense was placed in the Holy Place, directly in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant resided. This positioning is described in Exodus 40:5: "Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the testimony, and put up the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle." The altar's primary function was for the burning of incense, which was to be offered by Aaron and his descendants every morning and evening as a perpetual incense offering before the Lord (Exodus 30:7-8). The incense was a specific blend, as prescribed in Exodus 30:34-38, and was considered holy, not to be used for any other purpose. Symbolism and Significance The Altar of Incense is rich in symbolic meaning. The rising smoke of the incense represented the prayers of the Israelites 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." This symbolism is echoed in the New Testament, where the prayers of the saints are likened to incense in Revelation 5:8. The altar's location "before the Lord" emphasizes its role in facilitating communication between God and His people. It stood as a reminder of the need for purity and holiness in approaching God, as the incense was to be offered with reverence and according to divine instructions. Priestly Duties and Regulations The responsibility for maintaining the Altar of Incense fell to the priests, who were to ensure that the incense was burned regularly and that the altar was kept holy. Unauthorized incense or offerings were strictly prohibited, as seen 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). The altar was also involved in the annual Day of Atonement rituals, where the high priest would use its coals to burn incense before the mercy seat in the Most Holy Place, creating a cloud of incense that covered the Ark of the Covenant (Leviticus 16:12-13). Theological Implications The Altar of Incense underscores the importance of prayer and worship in the life of the believer. It serves as a powerful reminder of the need for a mediator between God and humanity, a role ultimately fulfilled by Jesus Christ, who intercedes on behalf of believers (Hebrews 7:25). The altar's presence in the Tabernacle and Temple highlights the centrality of worship and the continual need for God's people to seek His presence with reverence and awe. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 4:7And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 9:25 Library The Story of the Angel by the Altar In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God... The Altar of Incense The Double Altar, Widows and virgins; Gold the Symbol of virginity ... The Promised Birth of John the Baptist. The Annunciation of St. John the Baptist Following the Cloud. Strange Fire The Birth of John Foretold. Chs. 1:5-25 The First Part Resources What does the Bible say about altar calls? Are altar calls biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat 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 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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