Topical Bible: Priests: Services of Burning Incense

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Topical Encyclopedia

The burning of incense in the service of the Lord was a significant aspect of the priestly duties in ancient Israel, symbolizing prayer, worship, and the presence of God. This sacred ritual was primarily conducted by the priests, who were descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses, and was an integral part of the tabernacle and later the temple worship.

Biblical Foundation

The practice of burning incense is rooted in the instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. In Exodus 30:7-8 , the Lord commands, "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 daily ritual was to be performed on the altar of incense, which was placed in the Holy Place, just outside the veil separating the Holy of Holies.

Symbolism and Significance

Incense in the Bible is often associated with the prayers of the saints. Psalm 141:2 states, "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering." The rising smoke of the incense symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God, creating a fragrant offering that was pleasing to Him. This imagery is further reinforced in Revelation 8:3-4 , where the prayers of the saints are described as being offered with incense before the throne of God.

Priestly Duties and Regulations

The priests were required to follow strict regulations when performing the incense service. Only the specially formulated incense, as described in Exodus 30:34-38, was to be used, and it was considered holy. Unauthorized use or offering of incense was met with severe consequences, as demonstrated in the account of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who offered "unauthorized fire" before the Lord and were consumed by fire as a result (Leviticus 10:1-2).

The high priest had a unique role in the incense service during the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 16:12-13 describes how the high priest was to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and bring them inside the veil. The incense was to cover the mercy seat, symbolizing the atonement for the sins of the people.

Historical Context and Continuity

The burning of incense continued to be a central element of worship in the temple built by Solomon and later in the Second Temple. The priests, chosen by lot, would enter the Holy Place to perform this duty, as seen in the account of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, who was chosen to burn incense when an angel appeared to him (Luke 1:8-11).

Throughout the history of Israel, the service of burning incense remained a powerful symbol of devotion and intercession, reflecting the holiness and majesty of God. The priests, as mediators between God and the people, carried out this sacred duty with reverence and obedience, underscoring the importance of worship and prayer in the life of the covenant community.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 20:7,8
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
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

Jeroboam
... seat of the Jewish monarchy, where the services of the ... and he placed in Bethel the
priests of the ... Even while he was officiating and burning incense during the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

On Idolatry
... from them by invocations, and other services performed before ... on earth, whose souls
are burning in everlasting ... linen clothes, the vestments of priests, and of ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

In common with the Roman Church, the Greek Church has seven ...
... is not administered unless several priests, usually three ... been made in the magnificent
services of the ... assumes the Epitrachelion, and burning incense gives the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the holy eastern church/iii.htm

The Day of Atonement
... robed priest took a censer of burning embers from ... ceremonial which belonged immediately
to Aaron and the priests. ... the sanctuary by the very services which were ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

How Pompey had the City of Jerusalem Delivered up to Him but Took ...
... did not at all intermit their religious services, even when ... And now did many of the
priests, even when ... offering their drink-offerings, and burning their incense ...
/.../chapter 7 how pompey had.htm

The House of Zacharias.
... denounced as degrading and depreciating the Temple services. ... which none might enter
save priests in their ... to sprinkle the incense on the burning coals, which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ii the house of zacharias.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... character of the churches where they ministered, and of the services in which they ...
of the eighteenth century, in which candles are represented burning upon the ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

The Welter, 1415-1434.
... They declared that priests were an unnecessary nuisance. ... in pulling churches down
and burning monks to ... a disturbance, they attended the public services of the ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iii the welter 1415-1434.htm

Scriptural Types.
... with its furniture, priesthood, and services, is declared in the ... The Levitical priests
did indeed make intercession for the people in the burning of sweet ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

What a Sacrifice Is, and what are the Species of Sacrifice.
... The burning of the lamb signifies the death of Christ. ... of the masses and many other
godless services in the ... contrary, by the favor of God, the priests among us ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 30 what a sacrifice.htm