Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, incense is frequently associated with prayer, symbolizing the prayers of the faithful rising to God. This imagery is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where incense serves as a tangible representation of spiritual devotion and communication with the Divine.Old Testament Significance In the Old Testament, incense was an integral part of the worship practices prescribed by God to the Israelites. The Book of Exodus provides detailed instructions for the construction of the altar of incense and the composition of the incense itself. 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." This perpetual offering of incense was a symbol of continuous prayer and intercession before God. The Psalms also reflect this symbolism. In Psalm 141:2 , David prays, "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering." Here, the psalmist explicitly equates his prayers with the rising smoke of incense, suggesting a direct connection between the physical act of burning incense and the spiritual act of prayer. New Testament Fulfillment The New Testament continues this association, particularly in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 5:8 describes a heavenly scene: "When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." This passage clearly identifies incense with the prayers of believers, emphasizing the idea that prayers ascend to God as a fragrant offering. Similarly, Revelation 8:3-4 states, "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." This vivid imagery reinforces the concept that the prayers of the faithful are precious and pleasing to God, akin to the sweet aroma of incense. Theological Implications The use of incense as a symbol for prayer underscores the importance of prayer in the life of a believer. It serves as a reminder of the need for continual communication with God, much like the perpetual incense offering in the tabernacle and temple. The rising smoke of incense is a powerful metaphor for the ascent of prayers to the heavenly realm, suggesting that just as incense is pleasing to the senses, so are the prayers of the righteous pleasing to God. Furthermore, the association of incense with prayer highlights the intercessory role of Christ and the saints. As seen in Revelation, the prayers of the saints are presented before God, indicating that the faithful have a role in the divine plan through their prayers. This reinforces the belief in the efficacy and necessity of prayer as a means of engaging with God's will and purpose. In summary, incense in the Bible serves as a profound symbol of prayer, representing the continuous, fragrant, and pleasing communication between believers and their Creator. Through both the Old and New Testaments, incense illustrates the spiritual reality of prayer as an essential and cherished aspect of worship and devotion. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 141:2Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Torrey's Topical Textbook Malachi 1:11 Revelation 5:8 Strong's Hebrew 6279. athar -- to pray, supplicate... A primitive root (rather denominative from Ether); to burn incense in worship, ie Intercede (reciprocally, listen to prayer) -- intreat, (make) pray(-er). ... /hebrew/6279.htm - 6k Library The Incense of Prayer The Altar of Incense Prayer Prayer and Sacrifice Explained by the Similitude of a Perfume ... That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ... Whether Prayer is an Act of Religion? For we Offer Prayer for the Safety of Our Princes to the Eternal.. ... PMH Ware. Call to Prayer. The Prayer of the Regenerated. For Acceptance in Prayer, and Daily Guidance. --Ps. cxli. Resources Who was Korah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the strange fire in Leviticus 10:1? | GotQuestions.org What is the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth? | 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) |
    |