Burning incense is a practice found in many cultures, and it’s even mentioned in the Bible. In Biblical times, incense was used in worship, but the Bible also warns against using rituals in a way that leads to idolatry or becomes empty tradition. Understanding its context in Scripture helps us see the heart behind true worship.
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What Does The Bible Say About burning incense
Exodus 30:7-8
Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for all time.
These verses highlight the importance of burning incense in the worship of God. It was a regular practice for Aaron, the high priest, to burn fragrant incense on the altar. The burning of incense symbolizes the offering of prayers and worship to God, creating a pleasing aroma in His presence.
As believers, we can also incorporate the burning of incense in our personal worship. It serves as a tangible reminder to lift up our prayers and adoration to God, acknowledging His presence and seeking His favor and guidance.
Leviticus 16:12-13
Aaron is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain. He is to put the incense on the fire before the Lord, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the tablets of the covenant law, so that he will not die.
These verses describe the role of incense in the process of atonement. Aaron, the high priest, was required to take burning coals and finely ground incense behind the curtain in the Tabernacle. The smoke of the incense would conceal the atonement cover, symbolizing the covering of sins.
This passage reminds us of the significance of incense in God’s redemptive plan. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who atoned for our sins on the cross. Just as the smoke of the incense concealed the atonement cover, Jesus’ sacrifice covers our sins, offering us forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
This verse portrays the metaphorical connection between prayer and incense. The psalmist desires for his prayers to ascend to God like the fragrance of burning incense. The act of lifting up hands in prayer is also compared to the offering of a sacrificial offering.
As believers, we can learn from this analogy and approach prayer with a heart focused on reverence and worship. Our prayers should be offered with sincerity and devotion, seeking to present them as a pleasing aroma to God, just like incense, as we lift up our hands in surrender and adoration.
Proverbs 27:9
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
This verse illustrates the impact of pleasant fragrances, like perfume and incense, on our emotions. The scent of incense can evoke a sense of joy and delight. Similarly, the advice and companionship of a trusted friend can bring happiness to our hearts.
It reminds us of the power of sensory experiences in influencing our emotions and well-being. Just as incense can enhance our worship experience, surrounding ourselves with genuine and supportive friendships can bring joy and comfort in our lives.
Song of Solomon 3:6
Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant?
This verse, set in the context of a love poem, compares the beloved to a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and various spices typically present in incense. The imagery portrays the beauty and allure of the individual.
It serves as a reminder that we, as believers, should also strive to reflect the fragrance of Christ to those around us. Just as the incense in the verse captivates attention and draws people closer, our lives should emit the aroma of Christ’s love, grace, and righteousness, inviting others to discover the beauty of a relationship with Him.
Isaiah 1:13-14
Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals, I hate them with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.
In these verses, God expresses His displeasure with the Israelites’ empty rituals and sacrifices. The burning of incense had lost its meaning and had become a mere religious practice. God desires genuine worship that comes from the heart, rather than superficial observances.
As believers, we should examine our own motives when engaging in acts of worship. It’s not enough to offer external rituals without a heartfelt devotion and sincerity. Our worship should be authentic, arising from a deep love for God and a desire to honor Him with every aspect of our lives.
Jeremiah 6:20
What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.
In this passage, God expresses His dissatisfaction with the external offerings and sacrifices brought by the people. He values sincere worship and obedience far above the physical items and rituals.
This verse urges us to evaluate the motives behind our actions and offerings. It’s not the material possessions or extravagant gestures that please God; rather, He desires a humble heart and a life surrendered to Him. Our sacrifices should be acts of genuine love and devotion, rendered in obedience to His will.
Malachi 1:11
My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.
These verses speak of a future time when God’s name would be exalted and worshiped by people from all nations. The mention of incense and pure offerings reflects the global worship and adoration that God would receive.
This verse points to the future fulfillment of the Great Commission, where believers are tasked with spreading the gospel to all corners of the earth. It serves as a reminder of our mission to proclaim the greatness of God and to bring others to worship Him with true devotion and reverence.
Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
In this passage, the wise men from the East visit the baby Jesus and worship Him. As an act of reverence, they present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
This verse emphasizes the significance of the gifts offered to Jesus, particularly the gift of frankincense. It symbolizes worship and adoration. The wise men recognized Jesus as the Messiah and demonstrated their reverence through the presentation of these valuable gifts.
Luke 1:9-10
According to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
These verses provide a glimpse into the practice of burning incense in the temple during the time of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. It was a customary duty of the priests to burn incense, and this occasion was met with prayer from the worshipers.
The burning of incense in the temple represented the prayers of the people rising up to God. It highlights the connection between worship, prayer, and the symbolic act of burning incense. It reminds us of the importance of prayer in our own worship and the significance of seeking God’s presence in all that we do.
Acts 3:1
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.
In this verse, Peter and John were on their way to the temple for the afternoon prayer. The temple was a place of worship and sacrifice, including the burning of incense.
This verse emphasizes the regularity and discipline of prayer. It shows the commitment of the disciples to engage in the prescribed times of prayer, recognizing the significance of seeking God’s presence and guidance in their daily lives. As believers, we too should prioritize prayer and create intentional moments of worship and communion with God.
Revelation 8:3-4
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.
In this apocalyptic vision, an angel is seen with a golden censer, offering incense along with the prayers of God’s people. The smoke of the incense, symbolizing the prayers, rises before God’s throne.
This verse depicts the powerful imagery of prayers ascending to God’s presence, accompanied by the sweet aroma of incense. It demonstrates the connection between worship, prayer, and the offering of incense. It also assures believers that their prayers are heard and reach the very presence of God.
Psalm 66:15
I will sacrifice fat animals to you and burn incense to you. I will offer bulls and goats to you. Selah
This verse expresses the psalmist’s intention to offer sacrifices and burn incense as acts of worship to God. The sacrifice of animals and the burning of incense were customary practices in the Old Testament that symbolized devotion and surrender to God.
While our worship practices may not involve animal sacrifices today, this verse reminds us of the importance of presenting ourselves as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). It encourages us to offer our worship, prayers, and every aspect of our lives as a pleasing fragrance to God.
Ezekiel 8:11-12
In front of them stood seventy elders of Israel, and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan was standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, ‘The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.’”
In this vision, the prophet Ezekiel sees a group of seventy elders of Israel burning incense to idols in the darkness. Their actions were a direct violation of God’s commandments, and they believed that God did not see them or care about their disobedience.
This verse serves as a warning against idolatry and the temptation to worship false gods. It also emphasizes that God always sees and knows our actions, even in the darkest corners of our lives. As believers, we should guard our hearts and worship only the One true God, offering our devotion and worship in spirit and truth.
Genesis 8:20-21
Noah built an altar to the Lord; he took one of every kind of clean animal and clean bird and sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The Lord smelled the pleasant aroma and said to himself, “I will never curse the ground because of human beings, even though from birth their hearts are set on nothing but evil. I will never again destroy all living things as I have just done.
After the flood, Noah built an altar and offered sacrifices on it. The burnt offerings created a pleasant aroma that pleased the Lord, resulting in His covenant never to destroy the earth with a flood again.
This passage showcases the power of sacrificial worship and the sweet aroma that arises from genuine devotion. It demonstrates that worship is not just an external act but something that deeply touches the heart of God. It reinforces the idea that our worship should be inspired by a sincere desire to honor and please God.
1 Timothy 2:8
Therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
In this verse, the apostle Paul encourages men to engage in prayer, lifting up holy hands. This act of raising hands in prayer was a common practice in Jewish worship, and it symbolizes surrender, reverence, and dependence on God.
Additionally, Paul emphasizes the importance of praying without anger or disputing. Our prayers should be offered with a heart of humility, forgiveness, and unity. This verse teaches us the significance of the posture and attitude we bring to our prayers, focusing on maintaining a right relationship with both God and others.
Hebrews 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
This verse encourages believers to offer a sacrifice of praise to God through Jesus. It highlights that our worship should involve the offering of gratitude, adoration, and acknowledgement of His name.
As believers, we are called to continually praise God, not just in formal worship settings but also in our daily lives. Our words and expressions of praise should reflect a heart filled with love and gratitude towards God. Just as incense creates a pleasing fragrance, may our praises rise to God as a sweet aroma.
Revelation 5:8-9
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
In this heavenly vision, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders are depicted holding golden bowls filled with incense, which symbolize the prayers of God’s people. They offer worship and adoration to the Lamb, acknowledging His worthiness and the salvation He purchased.
This verse provides further insight into the significance of incense in heavenly worship. It highlights the connection between our prayers and worship offered on earth with the worship and adoration that takes place in the heavenly realm. Our prayers are a fragrant offering before God, as we unite with believers from all nations in worshiping the Lamb of God.
Psalm 141:1-2
I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
These verses depict the psalmist’s cry for God’s presence and attention. The psalmist desires for his prayers to be set before God like incense, symbolizing an offering of worship and dependence.
This passage reminds us of the power and privilege we have as believers to approach God in prayer. Just as incense rises, may our prayers ascend to His presence, trusting in His faithfulness to hear and respond. As we lift our hands in surrender and worship, may our lives be a continual sacrifice offered in love and obedience to our heavenly Father.