Significance of Incense in Christian Worship Practices
Incense, derived from the Latin "to burn," refers to a fragrant mixture of gums or spices that produces perfume when burned [1]. In ancient Israelite worship, the incense used in the tabernacle was a specific compound of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, with any other composition being forbidden for offering [1]. This special blend was prepared "after the art of the perfumer" and was considered holy for Yahweh, not to be replicated for personal use [8, 6].
The offering of incense was a significant ritual in the Old Testament. Aaron, as the high priest, was originally tasked with offering incense each morning and evening [1, 3]. This offering took place on the golden altar in the holy place [2, 3]. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would burn incense in the Holy of Holies, ensuring the cloud of incense covered the mercy seat [2, 5]. The incense was placed on burning coals in a censer, creating a cloud of smoke that filled the sanctuary with fragrance [9, 2]. The fire used for burning incense was to be taken from the altar of burnt-offering [3, 9].
Symbolically, incense became an emblem of prayer [7, 2]. Psalm 141:1-2 states, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." This connection is also seen in the New Testament, where the prayers of saints are depicted ascending with incense before God [2, 7, 11]. The ascending smoke of the incense symbolized the acceptance of prayers and offerings [11]. Some interpretations suggest that the fragrant smoke counteracted the "offensive fumes of the sacrifices," or served as a form of tributary homage to God as the Theocratic Ruler [10]. The frankincense, a key ingredient, was an odorous resin imported from Arabia and also grew in Palestine [7]. It was used as an accompaniment to the meat-offering [7, 4].
The practice of burning incense was perpetual, occurring morning and evening [3]. While the priest performed the rite, the people would engage in prayer, understanding the incense as a symbol of their petitions and praises [12]. The smoke of the incense, rising with the prayers, was understood to cover the imperfections of the prayers of the saints through Christ's mediation [13].
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”
- 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.”
- Leviticus “and he shall put the incense on the fire before Yahweh, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the testimony, so that he will not die. -- Leviticus 16:13”
- Exodus “The incense which you shall make, according to its composition you shall not make for yourselves: it shall be to you holy for Yahweh. -- Exodus 30:37”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Frankincense — (Heb. lebonah; Gr. libanos, i.e., "white"), an odorous resin imported from Arabia (Isa. 60:6; Jer. 6:20), yet also growing in Palestine (Cant. 4:14). It was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary (Ex. 30:34), and was used as an accompaniment of the meat-offering (Lev. 2:1, 16; 6:15; 24:7). When burnt it emitted a fragrant odour, and hence the incense became a symbol of the Divine name (Mal. 1:11; Cant. 1:3) and an emblem of prayer (Ps. 141:2; Luke 1:10; Rev. 5:8; 8:3). This frankincense, or olibanum, used by the Jews in the temple servi”
- Exodus “and you shall make incense of it, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy: -- Exodus 30:35”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Censer — The vessel in which incense was presented on "the golden altar" before the Lord in the temple (Ex. 30:1-9). The priest filled the censer with live coal from the sacred fire on the altar of burnt-offering, and having carried it into the sanctuary, there threw upon the burning coals the sweet incense (Lev. 16:12, 13), which sent up a cloud of smoke, filling the apartment with fragrance. The censers in daily use were of brass (Num. 16:39), and were designated by a different Hebrew name, miktereth (2 Chr. 26:19; Ezek. 8:11): while those used on the day of Atonem”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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”