Topical Bible: Offerings: Different Kinds of Incense

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In the biblical context, incense holds significant spiritual and ceremonial importance, often associated with offerings and worship. The use of incense is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Israelites, serving as a symbol of prayer, sanctification, and divine presence. The Bible provides detailed instructions regarding the composition and use of incense, particularly in the context of offerings.

1. Composition and Sacredness of Incense

The primary biblical reference for the composition of incense is found in Exodus 30:34-38. The LORD instructs Moses on the specific ingredients to be used: "Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures" (Exodus 30:34). This sacred mixture was to be blended as a perfumer would, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. The incense was considered so sacred that it was forbidden to replicate it for personal use, under penalty of being cut off from the community (Exodus 30:37-38).

2. Incense in the Tabernacle and Temple Worship

Incense played a crucial role in the worship practices of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It was burned on the Altar of Incense, which was placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 30:6). Aaron, the high priest, was instructed to burn incense every morning and evening as a perpetual offering before the LORD (Exodus 30:7-8). This act symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God, as reflected in Psalm 141:2: "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering."

3. Incense as a Symbol of Prayer and Intercession

The use of incense as a metaphor for prayer is further emphasized in the New Testament. In Revelation 5:8, the prayers of the saints are depicted as golden bowls full of incense, highlighting the continuity of this symbol from the Old to the New Covenant. The imagery of incense underscores the belief that prayers are a pleasing aroma to God, rising to Him as a fragrant offering.

4. Incense in the Context of Atonement and Purification

Incense also played a role in the rituals of atonement and purification. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would take a censer full of burning coals from the altar and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, bringing them inside the veil (Leviticus 16:12-13). The cloud of incense would cover the mercy seat, protecting the high priest from the divine presence as he made atonement for the sins of the people.

5. Prohibitions and Warnings

The Bible also contains warnings against the misuse of incense. Unauthorized offerings, such as those made by Nadab and Abihu, resulted in severe consequences (Leviticus 10:1-2). This underscores the importance of adhering to God's specific instructions regarding worship and offerings.

6. Incense in Prophetic and Eschatological Contexts

Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke against the misuse of incense, particularly when it was offered to idols or in a hypocritical manner (Isaiah 1:13, Jeremiah 6:20). In eschatological visions, incense continues to symbolize the prayers of the faithful, as seen in Revelation 8:3-4, where an angel offers incense with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne.

In summary, incense in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol deeply intertwined with worship, prayer, and the divine-human relationship. Its prescribed use in offerings reflects the holiness and reverence due to God, while its misuse serves as a cautionary tale against deviating from divine commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 30:8
And when Aaron lights the lamps at even, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered to my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, said the LORD of hosts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:9
According 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

Index of Subjects.
... burnt-offerings, 598; peace-offerings, 599; sacrificial ... their essential character,
580; different kinds of types ... 601, seq.; burning of incense, 589; ceremonies ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/index of subjects.htm

Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ...
... to the Lord, the bringing of all kinds of gifts ... The sacrifice of the mass uses a
very different language"viz ... that it was derived from the offerings which were ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 of the popish.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... have already the form of elements, and belong to different kinds. ... of all, who required
these offerings as a ... Thus Faustus' doctrine is very different from Paul's ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... There were all kinds of pillars, tables, and vessels there ... little girls, all in festal
dress but each different. ... the altar, and on these the offerings were laid ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

Letter cii. (AD 409. )
... to suppose different things and different kinds of salvation ... practice and worship
was different: the question ... not because God needs our offerings, seeing that ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cii a d 409.htm

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... to Objection 8: There were three kinds of sacrifices ... in order were the "ex-voto"
peace-offerings, the flesh ... 2115]Q[73], A[10]): wherefore different victims are ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

Treatise ii. On the Dress of virgins.
... fields, ought you to immolate victims and offerings to the ... her, where both desires
and wishes are different from her ... virgins pass, the just of all kinds advance ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise ii on the dress.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... fire was lit, to burn the offerings placed in ... was able to distinguish herds of very
different kinds of animals ... these three parties had faces of different colors ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... From Asia he has at different times brought wheat barley ... with the of the Nile, including
two kinds of Alestes ... bears a flat tray, full of offerings"bunches of ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

The First Theban Empire
... outer faces, marked the spot to which offerings were to ... his ancestors: the king at
several different times had ... in perfumes and rarities of all kinds had formed ...
/.../chapter iiithe first theban empire.htm