Incense in Christian Liturgical Traditions and Worship Practices
Incense, derived from the Latin for "to burn," is a fragrant mixture of gums or spices that produces perfume when burned [1]. In ancient Israelite worship, specific ingredients—stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense—were prescribed for the incense used in the tabernacle [1]. Any other composition was considered "strange incense" and forbidden [2, 1].
The offering of incense was a significant part of the daily ritual in the tabernacle and later the temple. Aaron, as high priest, was originally appointed to offer incense each morning and evening on the golden altar in the holy place [1, 3]. This practice was to be perpetual [3]. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would burn incense in the Holy of Holies [2, 3]. Incense was also offered alongside every meat offering [2] and was sometimes associated with other offerings, such as the burnt offering, to create a "soothing fragrance" to the Lord [5, 7]. Censers, made of brass or gold, were used for burning incense [6].
The symbolic meaning of incense in biblical tradition is primarily linked to prayer. Psalm 141:2 states, "Let my prayer be directed in thy sight as incense, and the lifting vp of mine hands as an euening sacrifice" [4]. This connection is echoed in the New Testament, where the smoke of incense is depicted ascending before God with the prayers of the saints [12, 13]. The ascending smoke of the incense symbolized that prayers and offerings were accepted [12]. Some interpretations suggest that the incense served to counteract the offensive fumes of animal sacrifices, while also acting as an act of tributary homage to God as the Theocratic Ruler [11].
In Christian liturgical traditions, the use of incense has continued in various forms, often retaining its symbolic association with prayer and the presence of God. The act of worship, particularly prayer, is understood as a spiritual offering to God [8]. True worship is described as occurring "in spirit and in truth," where God's Spirit reveals God's truth to the worshiper [9]. The concept of a "new spirit" and "one heart" in seeking God is emphasized in prophetic texts [10]. While the physical burning of incense is not universally practiced across all Christian denominations, the underlying symbolism of prayer ascending to God remains a core aspect of Christian worship [14].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Incense — from the Latin "to burn," "a mixture of gums or spices and the like, used for the purpose of producing a perfume when burned;" or the perfume itself of the spices, etc., burned in worship. The incense employed in the service of the tabernacle walls compounded of the perfumes stacte, onycha, galbanum and pure frankincense. All incense which was not made of these ingredients was forbidden to be offered. (Exodus 30:9) Aaron, as high priest, was originally appointed to offer incense each morning and evening. The times of offering incense were specified in the in”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Incense — A fragrant composition prepared by the "art of the apothecary." It consisted of four ingredients "beaten small" (Ex. 30:34-36). That which was not thus prepared was called "strange incense" (30:9). It was offered along with every meat-offering; and besides was daily offered on the golden altar in the holy place, and on the great day of atonement was burnt by the high priest in the holy of holies (30:7, 8). It was the symbol of prayer (Ps. 141:1, 2; Rev. 5:8; 8:3, 4).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Incense — Brought from Sheba -- Jer 6:20. Called frankincense -- Song 4:6,14. An article of extensive commerce -- Re 18:13. Common, not to be offered to God -- Ex 30:9. For God's service mixed with sweet spices -- Ex 25:6; 37:29. Receipt for mixing -- Ex 30:34-36. None but priest to offer -- Nu 16:40; De 33:10. Offered In censers. -- Le 10:1; Nu 16:17,46. On the altar of gold. -- Ex 30:1,6; 40:5. Morning and evening. -- Ex 30:7,8. Perpetually. -- Ex 30:8. By the high priest in the most holy place on the day of atonement. -- Le 16:12,13. With fire from off the altar o”
- Psalms “Psalms 141:2 (Geneva1599) — Let my prayer be directed in thy sight as incense, and the lifting vp of mine hands as an euening sacrifice.”
- Leviticus “Leviticus 6:15 (LITV) — And he shall lift from it his handful of the flour of the food offering, and of its oil, and all the frankincense on the food offering. And he shall burn it as incense on the altar, a soothing fragrance from its memorial to Jehovah.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Censers — For burning incense -- Le 10:1; 2Ch 26:19. Made of Brass. -- Nu 16:39. Gold. -- 1Ki 7:50. One of gold in the most holy place -- Heb 9:4. Directions for removing -- Nu 4:14. Often used in idolatrous worship -- Eze 8:11. Of Korah, &c made into plates to cover the altar -- Nu 16:18,39. Typical of Christ's intercession -- Re 8:3,5.”
- Leviticus “Leviticus 1:13 (LITV) — And he shall wash the inward parts and the legs with water, and the priest shall bring near all of it and burn it as incense on the altar; it is a burnt offering, a fire offering of soothing fragrance to Jehovah.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 51:19: 51:19 Sacrifices offered in the right spirit come from a heart that is right with God and with others (see 15:2-5; 24:3-6; 50:14; Matt 5:23-24).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 4:24: 4:24 in spirit and in truth: One Greek preposition governs both words (literally in spirit and truth) and makes them a single concept. True worship occurs as God’s Spirit reveals God’s truth and reality to the worshiper. Jesus Christ is the Truth (14:6; cp. 14:17; 15:26).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 11:19: I will give them--lest they should claim to themselves the praise given them in Eze 11:18, God declares it is to be the free gift of His Spirit. one heart--not singleness, that is, uprightness, but oneness of heart in all, unanimously seeking Him in contrast to their state at that time, when only single scattered individuals sought God (Jer 32:39; Zep 3:9) [HENGSTENBERG]. Or, "content with one God," not distracted with "the many detestable things" (Eze 11:18; Kg1 18:21; Hos 10:2) [CALVIN]. new spirit-- (Psa 51:10; Jer 31:33). Realized fully in th”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 30:7: Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense--literally, "incense of spices"--Strong aromatic substances were burnt upon this altar to counteract by their odoriferous fragrance the offensive fumes of the sacrifices; or the incense was employed in an offering of tributary homage which the Orientals used to make as a mark of honor to kings; and as God was Theocratic Ruler of Israel, His palace was not to be wanting in a usage of such significancy. Both these ends were served by this altar--that of fumigating the apartments of the sacred edifice, while the pure”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 8:4: The smoke of the incense - with the prayers - Though incense itself be an emblem of the prayers of the saints, Psa 141:2; yet here they are said to ascend before God, as well as the incense. It is not said that the angel presents these prayers. He presents the incense, and the prayers ascend With it. The ascending of the incense shows that the prayers and offering were accepted.”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 8:4: And the smoke of the incense,.... For the incense being put, as it was used to be, upon burning coals of fire, caused a smoke to arise like a cloud, Lev 16:13; so that the whole house, or temple, was filled with it (d): which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God out of the angel's hand; alluding to the incense the priest took in his hand, and cast upon the burning coals; and shows how that by the smoke of the incense, or the virtue of Christ's mediation, the imperfections of the prayers of the saints are covered; and how they are it perfumed a”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 1:10: The whole multitude - were praying - The incense was itself an emblem of the prayers and praises of the people of God: see Psa 141:2; Rev 8:1. While, therefore, the rite is performing by the priest, the people are employed in the thing signified. Happy the people who attend to the spirit as well as the letter of every divine institution! Incense was burnt twice a day in the temple, in the morning and in the evening, Exo 30:7, Exo 30:8; but the evangelist does not specify the time of the day in which this transaction took place. It was probably in the morning.”