Incense(odor)
“From a root meaning 'to smoke' or 'to raise an odor by burning'”
Summary
A sacred compound of aromatic substances burned on the golden altar in the tabernacle and temple, symbolizing prayer and worship ascending to God.
☩Composition and Preparation
The sacred incense was compounded according to precise instructions: stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, each in equal weight. It was to be made 'after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy.' Any incense not made of these ingredients was forbidden as 'strange incense.' The preparation was so sacred that anyone who made similar incense for personal use was to be 'cut off from his people.' Jewish tradition held that additional ingredients were included, with Josephus mentioning thirteen in total.
☩Daily Offering
Aaron, as high priest, was originally appointed to offer incense, but in the second Temple period the office devolved upon the inferior priests, chosen by lot each morning and evening. A special blessing was supposed to be attached to this service, and in order that all might share in it, the lot was cast among those who were 'new to the incense.' When the priest entered the holy place with the incense, all the people were removed from the temple, and profound silence was observed among the congregation who were praying without. At a signal, the priest cast the incense on the fire and, bowing reverently toward the Holy of Holies, retired slowly backward.
☩On the Day of Atonement
On the Day of Atonement, the high priest took incense in his left hand and a golden censer full of live coals in his right, entering the Most Holy Place. He placed the incense upon the fire before the Lord, so that the cloud of incense would cover the mercy seat, 'that he die not.' This typified the personal perfection of Christ who carried in the blood of atonement. The incense was also used by Aaron to make atonement and stop a plague among the people.
☩Unauthorized Incense
King Uzziah was punished with leprosy for his presumption in attempting to burn incense, which was reserved for the consecrated priests. Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, offered 'strange fire' and were struck dead. Korah and his company were destroyed when they presumed to offer incense without proper authority. These examples underscore the sanctity of the incense offering and the exclusive right of the priesthood to perform this service.
☩Symbolic Meaning
Incense was symbolical of prayer and worship ascending to God. In the Psalms, the worshiper prays, 'Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense.' In Revelation, the golden bowls full of incense are identified with the prayers of the saints, and the smoke of incense goes up before God with the prayers of His people. The truth symbolized is the merit of Christ's obedience and atoning death, which makes prayers rise up to God as a sweet and acceptable perfume.
Related Verses130 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Incense," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Incense," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Incense," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Incense," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Incense," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).