Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical tradition, incense holds a significant role in the worship and ritual practices of ancient Israel. The offering of incense is closely associated with the priestly duties and the sacred service within the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The use of incense is prescribed by God and is deeply embedded in the covenantal relationship between God and His people.Biblical Foundation The offering of incense is first introduced in the context of the Tabernacle, as described in the Book of Exodus. God commands Moses to construct an altar specifically for burning incense: "You are to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense" (Exodus 30:1). This altar, known as the Altar of Incense, was placed in the Holy Place, just before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The incense itself was a special blend, crafted according to divine instructions: "Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy" (Exodus 30:34-35). This sacred mixture was not to be replicated for personal use, underscoring its sanctity and exclusive purpose for worship. Priestly Duty The responsibility of offering incense was specifically allotted to the priests, the descendants of Aaron. This duty was part of their daily service, as they were to burn incense every morning and evening: "Aaron must 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" (Exodus 30:7-8). This perpetual offering symbolized the continuous prayers and intercessions of the people rising before God. The priestly role in offering incense is further emphasized in the narrative of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and were consumed by divine fire as a result (Leviticus 10:1-2). This incident highlights the sanctity and seriousness of the priestly office and the offering of incense. Symbolism and Significance Incense in the biblical context symbolizes prayer, worship, and the presence of God. The Psalmist captures this imagery: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering" (Psalm 141:2). The rising smoke of the incense represents the prayers of the faithful ascending to the divine throne. In the New Testament, the imagery of incense continues to hold spiritual significance. The Book of Revelation depicts the prayers of the saints as incense before God: "And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel" (Revelation 8:4). This continuity underscores the enduring symbolic power of incense as a representation of prayer and divine communion. Conclusion The offering of incense, as allotted to the priests, is a profound element of biblical worship, reflecting the holiness of God, the intercessory role of the priesthood, and the spiritual act of prayer. Through the careful observance of this ritual, the people of Israel were reminded of their covenant relationship with God and the sacredness of approaching Him in worship. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 1:9According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ... Hezekiah Book 3 Footnotes Final Settlement of the Church by St. John The Saints' Privilege and Profit; Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church The Anglican Reform The Reaction against Egypt Book ii. The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued) Resources Can a Christian burn incense? What does the Bible say about burning incense? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the significance of the altar of incense? | GotQuestions.org What are the prayers of the saints in Revelation 5:8? | 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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