Topical Bible: Fire: Sacred: Incense Burned With

◄ Fire: Sacred: Incense Burned With ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, fire holds significant sacred symbolism, particularly in its use with incense. The burning of incense is a practice deeply rooted in the worship and rituals of the Israelites, as prescribed by God in the Old Testament. The sacred fire used for burning incense is emblematic of prayer, worship, and the divine presence.

Biblical Instructions and Symbolism

The use of incense in worship is first detailed in the book of Exodus, where God provides Moses with specific instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. The altar of incense, placed before the veil that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, is where incense is to be burned. 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 itself is a carefully crafted mixture, as described in Exodus 30:34-38, made from specific spices and pure frankincense. This sacred formula is not to be replicated for personal use, underscoring its sanctity and exclusive purpose for worship.

The Role of Sacred Fire

The fire used to burn incense is not ordinary; it is considered sacred. Leviticus 16:12-13 describes the Day of Atonement ritual, where Aaron is instructed to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense to bring inside the veil. The sacred fire, originating from the altar, is essential for the incense to produce a fragrant smoke that symbolizes the prayers of the people ascending to God.

The importance of using sacred fire is further emphasized in the account of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, in Leviticus 10:1-2 : "Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them, and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD." This incident highlights the necessity of adhering to God's commands regarding sacred practices and the severe consequences of deviating from them.

Incense as a Symbol of Prayer

The burning of incense is a powerful symbol of prayer and intercession. Psalm 141:2 reflects this imagery: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering." The rising smoke of the incense represents the prayers of the faithful ascending to the divine throne, a theme echoed in the New Testament in Revelation 8:3-4 : "Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel."

Conclusion

The sacred fire used in the burning of incense is a profound element of biblical worship, symbolizing the holiness of God, the intercession of the priests, and the prayers of the people. It serves as a reminder of the divine presence and the reverence required in approaching God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 16:12
And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 16:46
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Fire on Earth
... The incense rises in smoke to the heavens when it is ... He had to pass, and beneath
which His sacred head had to ... in His power to kindle this holy fire in humanity ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/fire on earth.htm

The Tears of Christ.
... no sound of Psalm, no smoke of incense within its ... taught such wondrous lessons, should
be burned by the ... were commanded to keep the sacred fire always burning ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlv the tears of.htm

The Altar of Incense
... rich in suggestions, and leads us into very sacred regions of ... benefit to us, because
it is not on fire with the ... be by our making the altar of incense the centre ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the altar of incense.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... The heart must be as a coal of fire, if the ... The position of the altar of incense
was right in the ... As the sacred lamps streamed out their hospitable rays into ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Finally, that we May Always Abide by the Rule and Definition by ...
... is caused by the odour of a fire, and produced ... is it melted away before the smoke
of incense, and lulled ... from what the smoke proceeds on your sacred altars, or ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/27 finally that we may.htm

Swords Beaten into Ploughshares.
... After this, they burned incense to their ancestors who were the ... that he may put them
into his fire and make an ... are going to break up these sacred relics, which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter seven swords beaten into.htm

Elijah Come Again
... mountain full of horses and chariots of fire.' Not the ... for offspring while he was
burning incense; but the ... personal wishes were uppermost at so sacred a moment ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/elijah come again.htm

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
... to a direct argument concerning the sacred day ... animals, and the building of the fire
to consume ... They also trimmed the gold lamps, burned incense, and performed ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxviii jesus defends disciples who.htm

Removing the Veil
... the Bread of Life, and the altar of incense, a figure ... up the ghost on Calvary, and
the sacred writer explains ... and fungi were burned away by the fire that dwelt ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/iii removing the veil.htm

The Jewish War and the Destruction of Jerusalem. AD 70
... a flood, or, like Sodom, consumed with fire from heaven ... The images of the gods, and
the sacred furniture of ... the year of jubilee, the vessel of incense, and the ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 38 the jewish war.htm