The Significance of Burning Incense in the Bible

In the Bible, the practice of burning incense held various meanings and purposes, from representing the sweet smell of prayers to deterring pests and insects. This article explores the authorized and unauthorized uses of incense in the Bible, shedding light on its deep spiritual significance and practical uses.

Authorized Uses of Incense

The burning of incense in the Bible was a significant practice, as highlighted by its various uses:

Representing Prayers Rising to God

Exodus 30:7-8 specifies that the priests would burn incense to represent the sweet aroma of prayers reaching God:

“Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning when he tends the lamps he shall burn incense on it. And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight he shall burn incense on it a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.”

The Book of Revelation also underscores this symbolism (Revelation 5:8):

“Now when He had taken the scroll the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints.”

This practice symbolizes the faithful rising of prayers to God.

Representing the Sweet Aroma of Grain Offerings

The burnt offerings of grain were also accompanied by incense, representing the sweet aroma of gratitude:

“When anyone offers a grain offering to the LORD his offering shall be of fine flour. And he shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it. He shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests one of whom shall take from it his handful of fine flour and oil with all the frankincense. And the priest shall burn it as a memorial on the altar an offering made by fire a sweet aroma to the LORD.”

This symbolizes our gratitude for the atonement provided by Jesus Christ, whose crucifixion and resurrection serve as the ultimate grain offering.

Providing Protection During Atonement Services

The burning of incense played a crucial role during the Day of Atonement, creating a protective barrier for the High Priest:

“Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the LORD with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine and bring it inside the veil. And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony lest he die.”

This practice symbolized the substitutionary atonement offered by Jesus, as He died on the cross to save us from the consequences of our sins.

Incense was also used to intercede on behalf of the people, such as by Aaron for the Israelites, helping to absorb the wrath of God:

“So Moses said to Aaron “Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar put incense on it and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The plague has begun.” Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded and ran into the midst of the assembly and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living so the plague was stopped.”

Unauthorized Uses of Incense

Incense was misused in a few instances, leading to severe consequences:

Incense Burned by Nadab and Abihu

Nadab and Abihu offered "strange fire" while under the influence of alcohol, leading to their deaths (Leviticus 10:1-2):

“Then Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron each took his censer and put fire in it put incense on it and offered profane fire before the LORD which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them and they died before the LORD.”

This event underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, especially in the priesthood.

Incense Burned by King Uzziah

King Uzziah attempted to offer incense in the temple, a task reserved for the priests, leading to his downfall, including contracting leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-19):

“But when he had become powerful he also became proud which led to his downfall. He sinned against the LORD his God by entering the sanctuary of the LORD’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar. Azariah the high priest went in after him with eighty other priests of the LORD all brave men. They confronted King Uzziah and said “It is not for you Uzziah to burn incense to the LORD. That is the work of the priests alone the descendants of Aaron who are set apart for this work. Get out of the incense altar in the LORD’s Temple leprosy suddenly broke out on his forehead.””

Incense Burned for Pagan Worship

Solomon also misused incense, building shrines and altars for his foreign wives to burn incense to their gods (1 Kings 11:8):

“Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods.”

This demonstrates the importance of adhering to the correct worship practices as prescribed by God.

In conclusion, the burning of incense in the Bible serves various significant purposes, including representing the prayers of the faithful, symbolizing the sweet aroma of grain offerings and atonement for sins, and ensuring protection. However, it must be used in accordance with God's commands to avoid dire consequences.