Prayer as a Fragrant Offering to God in Scripture
The concept of prayer as a fragrant offering to God is rooted in biblical imagery that likens petitions and worship to the pleasing aroma of sacrifices. This metaphor draws heavily from the Old Testament sacrificial system, where certain offerings were described as a "sweet fragrance" or "sweet-smelling savor" to the Lord [2, 3, 5].
In the Old Testament, various offerings, such as burnt offerings, were specifically designated as being of "sweet fragrance" to Jehovah [2, 3, 5]. The "meat offering" (or grain offering) was also to be seasoned with salt and mixed with oil and frankincense, with a portion burned on the altar as "a memorial" [9]. Frankincense, along with myrrh, was a valuable aromatic substance used in holy anointing oil and as a perfume [10, 13]. This imagery established a connection between acceptable worship and a pleasing scent.
The Psalmist explicitly connects prayer with this sacrificial imagery, stating, "Let my prayer be ordered before you like a sweet smell; and let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening offering" (Psalm 141:2 BBE) [1]. This verse directly equates the act of prayer with the fragrant offerings made on the altar.
In the New Testament, this metaphor continues. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians, describes the gifts he received from the Philippian church as "a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God" (Philippians 4:18) [6]. This indicates that acts of generosity and support for ministry can also be considered a fragrant offering to God, echoing the sacrificial language. Similarly, the book of Revelation depicts "odours, which are the prayers of saints," suggesting that the prayers of believers ascend to God as a pleasing aroma [12]. Adam Clarke notes that the frankincense and odours offered in the tabernacle were emblems of the prayers and praises of the Lord [12].
Prayer itself is understood as direct address to God, an "intercourse of the soul with God" [4]. It can take various forms, including oral or mental, occasional or constant, and is described in scripture as "pouring out the soul before the Lord" or "drawing near to God" [4, 7]. The Lord's Prayer, taught by Jesus, serves as a model for such petitions, emphasizing simplicity and a focus on God's holiness and kingdom [8, 11]. The imagery of prayer as a fragrant offering underscores its value and acceptance in the sight of God.
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 141:2 (BBE) — Let my prayer be ordered before you like a sweet smell; and let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening offering.”
- Leviticus “Leviticus 8:21 (YLT) — and the inwards and the legs he hath washed with water, and Moses maketh perfume with the whole ram on the altar; it <FI>is<Fi> a burnt-offering, for sweet fragrance; it <FI>is<Fi> a fire-offering to Jehovah, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.”
- Leviticus “Leviticus 1:13 (YLT) — and the inwards and the legs he doth wash with water, and the priest hath brought the whole near, and hath made perfume on the altar; it <FI>is<Fi> a burnt-offering, a fire-offering of sweet fragrance to Jehovah.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Exodus “Exodus 29:18 (YLT) — and thou hast made perfume with the whole ram on the altar. It <FI>is<Fi> a burnt-offering to Jehovah, a sweet fragrance; a fire-offering it <FI>is<Fi> to Jehovah.”
- Philippians “But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. -- Philippians 4:18”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lords Prayer — the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples. (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) "In this prayer our Lord shows his disciples how an infinite variety of wants and requests can be compressed into a few humble petitions. It embodies every possible desire of a praying heart, a whole world of spiritual requirements; yet all in the most simple, condensed and humble form, resembling, in this respect, a pearl on which the light of heaven plays."--Lange. "This prayer contains four great general sentiments, which constitute the very soul of religion,--sentiments which”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Meat Offering — The law or ceremonial of the meat offering is described in (Leviticus 2:1) ... and Levi 6:14-23 It was to be composed of fine flour, seasoned with salt and mixed with oil and frankincense, but without leaven; and it was generally accompanied by a drink offering of wine. A portion of it, including all the frankincense, was to be burnt on the altar as "a memorial;" the rest belonged to the priest; but the meat offerings offered by the priests themselves were to be wholly burnt. Its meaning appears to be exactly expressed in the words of David. (1 Chronic”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Myrrh — This substance is mentioned in (Exodus 30:23) as one of the ingredients of the "oil of holy ointment:" in (Esther 2:12) as one of the substances used in the purification of women; in (Psalms 45:8; Proverbs 7:17) and in several passages in Canticles, as a perfume. The Greek occurs in (Matthew 2:11) among the gifts brought by the wise men to the infant Jesus and in (Mark 15:23) it is said that "wine mingled with myrrh" was offered to but refused by, our Lord on the cross. Myrrh was also used for embalming. See John 19;39 and Herod. ii. 86. The Balsamodendron myr”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 5:8: The four beasts - fell down before the Lamb - The whole Church of God, and all his children in heaven and earth, acknowledge that Jesus Christ is alone worthy and able to unfold and execute all the mysteries and counsels of God. See on Rev 5:9 (note). Having every one of them harps - There were harps and vials; and each of the elders and living creatures had one. Odours, which are the prayers of saints - The frankincense and odours offered at the tabernacle were emblems of the prayers and praises of the Lord. That prayers are compared to incense, see Psa 141:2 : ”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 18:13: cinnamon--designed by God for better purposes: being an ingredient in the holy anointing oil, and a plant in the garden of the Beloved (Sol 4:14); but desecrated to vile uses by the adulteress (Pro 7:17). odours--of incense. A, C, Vulgate, and Syriac prefix "and amomium" (a precious hair ointment made from an Asiatic shrub). English Version reading is supported by Coptic and ANDREAS, but not oldest manuscripts. ointments--Greek, "ointment." frankincense--Contrast the true "incense" which God loves (Psa 141:2; Mal 1:11). fine flour--the sim”