Incense has been used for centuries in spiritual and religious practices, as well as for relaxation and aromatherapy. Its fragrant smoke is believed to cleanse the air and set the mood for meditation or worship. But what is it about incense that makes it so captivating, and why do people continue to use it in modern times? Let’s explore the history and significance of incense and how it can enhance both your environment and mindset.
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What Does The Bible Say About incense
Exodus 30:34-38
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the LORD. Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.'”
This passage in Exodus speaks of the specific instructions God gave to Moses regarding the making of the sacred incense for use in the tabernacle. The ingredients mentioned – gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense – were to be blended in equal amounts. The incense was considered holy and sacred, to be used only in the presence of God. The consequence for making incense with this formula for personal enjoyment was to be cut off from the community. This emphasizes the importance of honoring and respecting the sacredness of God’s instructions.
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, David expresses his desire for his prayers to God to be as pleasing and fragrant as incense. Just as the smoke of incense ascends to the heavens, David wants his prayers to rise before God. He also compares the act of lifting up his hands in prayer to the evening sacrifice, a symbol of worship and surrender. This verse highlights the significance of praying with a sincere heart and a posture of reverence and surrender to God.
Proverbs 27:9
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”
Similar to how perfume and incense bring delight to the senses, this verse suggests that genuine and heartfelt advice from a friend also brings joy to the heart. Just as the aroma of incense can fill a room, a true friend’s words can uplift and encourage us. This reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with wise and trustworthy companions who can provide valuable guidance and support.
Leviticus 16:12-13
“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. 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.”
This verse describes the ritual of the Day of Atonement, where the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place with burning incense. The fragrant incense was meant to create a cloud of smoke that would cover the atonement cover, symbolizing God’s presence and protecting the priest from death. This illustrates the significance of incense as a symbol of purification, consecration, and seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness.
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.”
In this passage, we see the story of Zechariah, a priest who was chosen by lot to enter the temple and burn incense. This highlights the role of incense in the religious practices of the Jewish priests. As Zechariah performed this sacred duty, the worshippers outside were engaged in prayer. This verse portrays the connection between incense, worship, and prayer, reinforcing the idea that incense symbolizes the prayers of the people ascending to God.
1 Chronicles 23:13
“The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart, he and his descendants forever, to consecrate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices before the LORD, to minister before him and to pronounce blessings in his name forever.”
Aaron and his descendants were appointed by God to be the priests who would consecrate the most holy things, including the offering of incense before the Lord. This verse highlights the special role of the priests in the worship and service of God. It emphasizes their responsibility to perform sacred rituals, such as burning incense, and to bless the people in God’s name. The appointment of Aaron and his descendants underscores the importance of following God’s instructions and honoring Him in worship.
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 with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.”
In this passage, God expresses His displeasure with the people of Israel because they were offering incense and performing religious rituals without genuine hearts of worship. Their external observance of rituals had become devoid of true devotion. God was weary of their empty traditions and rituals, as they failed to truly honor and seek Him. This verse serves as a reminder that God desires sincere worship from the depths of our hearts, rather than merely going through the motions of religious practices.
Exodus 30:8
“When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.”
This verse instructs Aaron, the high priest, to burn incense each evening when he trims the lamps in the tabernacle. The burning incense was to be a perpetual offering before God, symbolizing the continual presence and worship of the Israelites throughout generations. This emphasizes the ongoing nature of worship and the importance of maintaining a constant connection with God. Incense, therefore, serves as a reminder of the continual need for our prayers and devotion to God.
Jeremiah 44:8
“Why arouse my anger with what your hands have made, burning incense to other gods in Egypt, where you have come to live? You will destroy yourselves and make yourselves a curse and an object of reproach among all the nations of the earth.”
In this verse, God rebukes the people of Judah for burning incense to idols in Egypt, where they had taken refuge. Their idolatrous practices not only angered God but also brought consequences upon themselves. This verse serves as a warning against worshiping false gods and engaging in practices that go against God’s commands. It reminds us of the importance of remaining faithful to the true and living God and avoiding the worship of idols.
Nehemiah 13:5, 9
“He had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil prescribed for the Levites, musicians, and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests.” / “Then I questioned the Levites about all this; why had the house of our God been forsaken?”
These verses recount how Nehemiah discovered that the storerooms in the temple, which were designated for offerings, incense, tithes, and contributions, were neglected and forsaken. Nehemiah questioned the Levites about this, seeking to address the issue and restore the proper use of these dedicated spaces. These verses highlight the importance of stewardship and faithfully fulfilling our responsibilities in worship and supporting the work of the temple. It reminds us to prioritize and honor God by providing for the needs of His house and those involved in ministering to Him.
2 Chronicles 26:16-20
“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in. They confronted King Uzziah and said, ‘It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God.’ Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead.”
This passage tells the story of King Uzziah’s pride and his misguided attempt to burn incense in the temple, an act reserved for the priests. When confronted by Azariah and eighty other priests, Uzziah became angry and defiant. However, God immediately struck him with leprosy as a result of his disobedience. This account serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of humility, obedience, and respecting the boundaries established by God. It emphasizes the sanctity of the roles and responsibilities designated by God in worship and the severe consequences of attempting to usurp those roles.
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, Ezekiel witnesses the seventy elders of Israel offering incense to their own idols in secret, believing that the Lord does not see their actions or the state of the land. This passage exposes the hidden idolatry and wickedness that had infiltrated the leadership of the nation. It serves as a stark warning against hypocrisy, false worship, and the delusion that God is unaware or unconcerned with our actions. The fragrance of incense in this context represents the perversion of true worship and the defilement of the sacred spaces designated for honoring God.
1 Kings 9:25
“Three times a year Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense before the LORD along with them, and so fulfilled the temple obligations.”
This verse describes how King Solomon fulfilled the temple obligations by offering burnt offerings, fellowship offerings, and burning incense before the Lord. Solomon recognized the importance of carrying out the prescribed rituals and worship practices as a means of honoring God and fulfilling his responsibilities as king. It serves as a reminder of the significance of obedience and dedication to God’s commands when engaging in acts of worship, including the burning of incense.
Numbers 16:46-47
“Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has started.’ So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them.”
This passage recounts an incident when the Israelites rebelled against Moses and Aaron, leading to the outbreak of a deadly plague from the Lord. Instructed by Moses, Aaron took a censer with incense and burning coals from the altar and made atonement for the people. Through this act, the offering of incense and intercession, Aaron played a pivotal role in stopping the plague and reconciling the people with God. It highlights the intercessory power of incense and the role of a mediator in seeking God’s mercy and restoring a right relationship with Him.
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, an angel is seen with a golden censer, offering incense with the prayers of God’s people on the golden altar before the throne of God. The smoke of the incense, symbolizing the prayers of the saints, rises before God. This imagery portrays the intercession of the angel and the prayers of the faithful as pleasing and acceptable to God. It conveys the idea that our prayers, when offered with a sincere heart, rise like fragrant incense before the throne of God, revealing the intimate connection between prayer and worship.
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 verse, the wise men from the east visit the young Jesus and present Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The offering of frankincense to the infant Jesus underscores His divine nature and sacredness. It represents the recognition and worship of Jesus as the King of Kings and the Anointed One. This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of Jesus’ birth, the adoration He deserves, and the value placed on incense as a symbol of worship and homage.
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.”
These verses express the psalmist’s intention to come to God’s temple with offerings, fulfilling vows made during times of trouble. The mention of burnt offerings and sacrifices signifies the psalmist’s desire to worship and honor God with the prescribed rituals and the giving of valuable possessions. While not explicitly mentioning incense, these verses demonstrate the psalmist’s commitment to engaging in sacrificial acts of worship, which often included the use of incense. It reflects the heart of devotion and gratitude, recognizing God’s faithfulness and responding with offerings of worship.
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.”
In this verse, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a future time when nations will come to worship and bring gifts to the Lord. These gifts include gold and incense, symbolizing both material wealth and worshipful homage. The mention of incense in this context signifies the recognition of God’s greatness and the desire of the nations to join in praising and honoring Him. It points to a future unity of worship and the acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty over all nations.
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 words spoken by the prophet Malachi convey a message of anticipation and hope. The prophecy states that God’s name will be great among the nations, including the offering of incense and pure offerings in every place. This proclamation highlights the universal recognition and worship that God will receive from people all over the world. It emphasizes the future day when all nations will acknowledge God’s greatness and offer gifts of worship, including the sacred act of burning incense.
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 portrays God’s disappointment with the insincere and empty worship of the people of Judah. God expresses indifference toward the valuable incense and aromatic herbs they offered, as their hearts were far from Him. God emphasizes that true worship goes beyond the external acts and offerings; it requires genuine devotion and obedience. This verse reminds us that God desires a heartfelt and authentic worship that stems from a personal relationship and a desire to honor Him through our actions, rather than mere rituals or offerings.
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. You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.”
In this passage, God addresses the people of Israel and highlights their failure to offer proper and sincere worship. The sacrifices they brought were lacking in true devotion and obedience. God expresses that He has not burdened them with demands for incense or other offerings but rather grieves over their sins and offenses against Him. It serves as a reminder that God values sincere worship and repentance over empty rituals and sacrifices. It calls for a genuine and humble heart when approaching God in worship.
Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.”
In this passage, Jesus rebukes the religious leaders of His time for their hypocrisy and misplaced priorities. He acknowledges their meticulous observance of minor matters, including tithing spices, but criticizes their neglect of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. While incense is not directly mentioned, it falls within the category of minor matters emphasized by the leaders. This verse serves as a reminder that true worship and devotion to God involve not only the external acts but also a genuine display of justice, mercy, and faithfulness in our interactions with others.