Topical Bible: Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Incense

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or images as divine, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often condemned as a grievous sin against the one true God. Among the various practices associated with idolatry, the use of incense in worship holds particular significance. Incense, a fragrant offering, was often used in ancient religious rituals to honor deities, including those made of wood, stone, or metal.

Biblical References to Incense in Idolatry

The use of incense in idol worship is explicitly mentioned in several passages of the Bible, highlighting the Israelites' struggle with adopting pagan practices from surrounding nations. In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet laments the idolatrous practices of the people of Judah, who burned incense to false gods: "The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead dough to make cakes for the queen of heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger" (Jeremiah 7:18). This passage illustrates the communal nature of idol worship, involving entire families in the ritualistic burning of incense.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 44:3-5, the prophet recounts the consequences of idolatry, stating, "because of the evil they have done to provoke Me to anger by going to burn incense and serve other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew. Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying, ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’ But they did not listen or incline their ear to turn from their wickedness, to stop burning incense to other gods" . Here, the burning of incense is directly linked to the worship of foreign gods, an act that incurs divine wrath.

Historical Context and Practices

In the ancient Near East, incense was a common element in religious ceremonies, symbolizing prayers rising to the heavens. The Israelites, influenced by neighboring cultures, often fell into the practice of using incense in the worship of idols. This syncretism is evident in the actions of King Manasseh of Judah, who "rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, erected altars for Baal, and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He also bowed down to all the host of heaven and served them" (2 Kings 21:3). The use of incense in these rituals was part of a broader pattern of apostasy and rebellion against God.

Theological Implications

The use of incense in idol worship is not merely a cultural artifact but a theological affront to the exclusivity of worship due to Yahweh. The burning of incense to idols represents a breach of the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). It signifies a turning away from the covenant relationship with God, substituting the worship of the Creator with that of created things.

The prophets consistently warned against such practices, emphasizing the futility and deception inherent in idol worship. Isaiah declares, "They lavish gold from their bags and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it in its place, and there it stands. It does not move from its place. Though one cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save him from his troubles" (Isaiah 46:6-7). This critique underscores the impotence of idols and the misguided nature of offering incense to them.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently portrays the use of incense in idol worship as a significant transgression, one that leads to spiritual and often physical consequences for the people of Israel. Through the prophets, God calls His people to repentance, urging them to abandon idolatrous practices and return to the worship of the one true God, who alone is worthy of honor and praise.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 48:35
Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, said the LORD, him that offers in the high places, and him that burns incense to his gods.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Idolatry
... to sin and of increasing the crime of idolatry; (1 Kings 12 ... take the gods of foreign
nations as objects of worship ... which is esteemed as a god be worshipped in an ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... rotten rags, called relics, are the objects of adoration ... be a slander upon them;
they worshipped Jehovah through ... they had so far gone into idolatry that they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

Paul in Athens.
... them this character, because he had observed that their city was "wholly given to
idolatry." The objects of worship ... "Neither is he worshipped with men's ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xx paul in athens.htm

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra.
... the common people, believed, that men were objects of the ... of the people, and abhorrence
of their idolatry. ... surely, the worshippers and the worshipped must have ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xv paul and barnabas.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... aid is implored from dead and senseless objects, by beings ... that the moment images
appear in churches, idolatry has as ... to the crime of not having worshipped them ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

The Conversion of Cornelius.
... and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him ... the salvation of souls, were the great
objects which they ... shadow of death." The altars of idolatry were overthrown ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiii the conversion of.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... They worshipped creeping things, as the crocodile, and the Indian ... Why is it that
we are prone to idolatry? Because we are led much by visible objects, and love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... unchangeable; for He alone is to be worshipped, in the ... The objects of your worship
can be shown to have ... that this very explanation of their idolatry, on which ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
... reason is plain; for what is Idolatry but to ... fondly upon such low and mean Objects
as this ... on Sundays, and the eternal Godconstantly worshipped with Reverence ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly riches sect.htm

The Era of Persecution
... to retain their traditional forms and objects of worship ... statue of the emperor was
wicked idolatry and entailed ... belief in the ancient deities worshipped them as ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iii the era of persecution.htm