Topical Encyclopedia Biblical Context and Description:Incense in the Bible holds significant spiritual symbolism and is closely associated with worship and prayer. The offering of incense on the Altar of Gold is a practice rooted in the instructions given by God to Moses for the tabernacle, and later, the temple worship. The Altar of Gold, also known as the Altar of Incense, was a sacred piece of furniture placed in the Holy Place, just before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Scriptural References: The primary instructions for the offering of incense on the Altar of Gold are found in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses regarding the construction and use of this altar: · 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. Overlay with pure gold its top, all around its sides, and its horns, and make a gold molding around it." The incense offered on this altar was to be a specific blend, as detailed in the same chapter: · Exodus 30:34-36 : "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, in equal measures, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.'" Purpose and Symbolism: The offering of incense on the Altar of Gold was a daily ritual performed by the priests, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God. The fragrant smoke represented the sweet aroma of worship and intercession, pleasing to the Lord. This is echoed in the Psalms: · Psalm 141:2 : "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering." The incense offering was a perpetual ordinance, signifying the continual need for prayer and communion with God. It was to be offered every morning and evening, aligning with the daily sacrifices: · Exodus 30:7-8 : "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." Theological Significance: In the New Testament, the imagery of incense continues to hold spiritual significance. The Book of Revelation presents the prayers of the saints as incense before God: · Revelation 8:3-4 : "Then another angel, having 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." The offering of incense on the Altar of Gold thus serves as a profound symbol of worship, intercession, and the divine-human relationship, reflecting the holiness and reverence due to God in the act of prayer. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 30:1,6And you shall make an altar to burn incense on: of shittim wood shall you make it. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 40:5 Library The Copies of Things in the Heavens How Judas Overthrew the Forces of Apollonius and Seron and Killed ... Political Religion Jeroboam Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist. Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... Book iv. --Of Marcion's Antitheses. Princely Service. Fifth Sunday in Lent What is the Sanctuary? Resources Who was King Uzziah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Dathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the temple / tabernacle? | GotQuestions.org Incense: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Incense for God's Service Mixed With Sweet Spices Incense of an Acceptable Sacrifice Incense used in Idolatrous Worship Incense: An Article of Extensive Commerce Incense: Common, not to be offered to God Incense: Compounded by Bezaleel Incense: Designed for Atonement Incense: Formula for Compounding Incense: Korah and his Company Punished for offering Incense: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Incense: Levites had Charge of Incense: Nadab and Abihu Destroyed for offering, With Strange Fire Incense: None But Priest to offer Incense: Offered by Nadab and Abihu in an Unauthorized Manner Incense: Offered by the High Priest in the Most Holy Place on the Day of Incense: Offered in Idolatrous Worship Incense: Offered Morning and Evening Incense: Offered with Fire from off the Altar of Burnt offering Incense: Offered: Morning and Evening Incense: Offered: On the Altar of Gold Incense: Offering of, Allotted to the Priests Incense: Presented by the Wise Men to Jesus Incense: Presented to Christ by the Wise Men Incense: Put on Meat offerings Incense: Symbolical of the Prayers of Saints Incense: The Jews Prayed at Time of offering Incense: The Jews: Not Accepted in offering, on Account of Sin Incense: The Jews: Offered, to Idols on Altars of Brick Incense: The Jews: Punished for offering, to Idols Incense: Uzziah Punished for offering Related Terms Incense-burners (1 Occurrence) |
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