Frankincense is one of those biblical items that often pops up around Christmas, but there’s more to it than just a gift from the wise men. The Bible mentions frankincense in various contexts, often linked to worship and offerings. If you’ve ever wondered about its significance and why it was so important in biblical times, you’re not alone. Let’s explore what Scripture reveals about frankincense and its spiritual symbolism.
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What Does The Bible Say About Frankincense
Exodus 30:34
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts.
This verse mentions frankincense as one of the fragrant spices that were used in the Old Testament for making incense. It highlights the importance of using pure and equal amounts of frankincense in worship and offering to the Lord.
Leviticus 2:1
“When anyone brings a grain offering to the Lord, their offering is to be of the finest flour. They are to pour olive oil on it, put incense on it
In this verse, frankincense is mentioned as part of the incense that was to be put on the grain offering brought to the Lord. It signifies the act of offering something of value and excellence to God as a form of worship and gratitude.
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.
This verse tells the story of the magi presenting gifts to baby Jesus. Among the gifts mentioned is frankincense, which represents the recognition of Jesus’ divinity. It symbolizes the act of honoring and worshiping Jesus as the Son of God.
Revelation 5:8
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.
Here, incense is seen as a representation of the prayers of God’s people. Frankincense, being a component of incense, signifies the prayers and worship offered to God. It signifies the act of lifting up our prayers and desires to the Lord, seeking His presence and guidance.
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 the generations to come.
Frankincense was part of the fragrant incense that Aaron, the high priest of Israel, was commanded to burn on the altar every morning and evening. This regular burning of incense with frankincense symbolized the continuous offering of worship and prayers to God throughout generations.
Leviticus 24:7
Put pure frankincense on each row, so that it may be a memorial portion for the bread, a food offering presented to the Lord.
In this verse, frankincense is mentioned as a memorial portion to be put on each row of bread. It represents the act of offering the best to the Lord and acknowledging His provision and sustenance in our lives.
Isaiah 60:6
Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
This verse describes the future prosperity and worship of Israel. It mentions incense, which may include frankincense, as part of the offerings brought to proclaim the praise and greatness of the Lord.
Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
In this verse, the psalmist expresses the desire for their prayer and worship to be pleasing to God, comparing it to the fragrance of incense rising before Him. It signifies the act of offering our prayers and praise as a sweet aroma to the Lord.
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 poetic verse describes the image of the bridegroom coming with a fragrance of myrrh and incense. The incense mentioned may include frankincense, symbolizing the beauty and desirability of the beloved.
Isaiah 43:23-24
You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense.
In this passage, God speaks to the Israelites, rebuking them for their lack of worship and offerings. He laments their failure to bring incense as an act of honor and worship, including frankincense, which symbolizes their negligence in seeking Him.
Leviticus 10:1-2
Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.
This cautionary tale recounts the tragic consequence of offering unauthorized incense before the Lord. It serves as a reminder of the importance of following God’s instructions and offering our worship and prayers with a sincere heart, using the appropriate elements, including frankincense.
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 passage, incense and prayers are mentioned together, emphasizing their connection. The incense, which may include frankincense, symbolizes the prayers of God’s people rising before Him, carried by the angel as a fragrant offering.
Exodus 37:29
He also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a perfumer.
This verse references the making of pure and fragrant incense by a perfumer. It highlights the craftsmanship and attention to detail required to create a pleasing aroma, symbolizing the importance of offering our worship and prayers with sincerity and excellence to the Lord.
Exodus 30:1
“Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense.
This verse instructs the construction of an altar specifically for burning incense. It signifies the separation of worship and offerings, including frankincense, as a distinct and sacred act of honoring God.
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.”
This verse expresses God’s displeasure with insincere worship and offerings. It emphasizes that the act of bringing incense, including frankincense, is meaningless if it is not accompanied by genuine devotion and obedience.
2 Chronicles 2:4
Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God and to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him, for setting out the consecrated bread regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on the Sabbaths, at the New Moons and at the appointed festivals of the Lord our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel.
In this verse, King Solomon speaks of his intentions to build the temple and dedicate it to the Lord for various acts of worship, including burning fragrant incense. It highlights the importance of consistent and faithful worship, offering frankincense as a symbol of devotion in fulfilling God’s ordinances.
Leviticus 16:12
He 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.
This verse describes the ritual of the Day of Atonement, where the high priest would take a censer full of burning coals and two handfuls of fragrant incense, including frankincense, behind the curtain. It symbolizes the act of seeking God’s forgiveness and mercy, interceding for the people.
1 Kings 10:2
Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.
In this verse, the Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon, bringing with her camels carrying spices, which may include frankincense. It signifies the recognition and acknowledgement of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth, offering valuable gifts as a tribute.
Leviticus 10:12-13
Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, “Take the grain offering left over from the food offerings prepared without yeast and presented to the Lord and eat it prepared without yeast beside the altar, for it is most holy.
In this passage, Aaron and his sons are instructed to consume the grain offering that was presented to the Lord. The use of frankincense as part of the offering signifies the sanctity and significance of the offering, separating it from ordinary food.
Hebrews 9:3-4
Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
These verses describe the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle, which housed the golden altar of incense. The presence of the altar signifies the importance of incense, including frankincense, in the sacred space reserved for communing with God.
Psalm 66:13-15
I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you—vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble. I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats.
In this psalm, the psalmist declares their intention to come to the temple with burnt offerings and fulfill their vows to the Lord. The mention of sacrifice and offerings encompasses the act of worship that may also include the use of frankincense.
Song of Solomon 4:14
nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices.
This verse paints a vivid picture of fragrant spices and incense trees, including myrrh and aloes, which may also involve the use of frankincense. The imagery evokes a sense of beauty and delight, symbolizing the sweetness and pleasure of offering worship to God.
Jeremiah 17:26
People will come from the towns of Judah and the villages around Jerusalem, from the territory of Benjamin and the western foothills, from the hill country and the Negev, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the Lord.
In this verse, Jeremiah prophesies about people coming from different regions to bring offerings and sacrifices, including incense, to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. It signifies the act of celebrating and giving thanks to God, offering the best to Him, including frankincense.
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 poetic verse describes the image of the bridegroom coming with a fragrance of myrrh and incense. The incense mentioned may include frankincense, symbolizing the beauty and desirability of the beloved.
Exodus 31:8-9
and the table with all its articles, the pure gold lampstand with its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand—
In this passage, the altar of incense is listed among the sacred articles created for the tabernacle. It signifies the importance of offering incense, including frankincense, as part of the worship and devotion to God in His dwelling place.