What does the Bible say about incense?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents incense as a holy element of Israel’s worship, symbolizing prayerful devotion offered to God according to his appointed way. God supplied spices for the tabernacle in Exodus 25:6 and prescribed a unique sacred blend in Exodus 30:34-36, forbidding unauthorized incense in Exodus 30:9. Exodus 37:29 records its careful preparation, while Deuteronomy 33:10 describes the priests’ duty to burn it before the Lord. Numbers 16:40 warns that no unauthorized person may approach this priestly service. Scripture also uses its fragrance poetically, as in Song of Solomon 4:6 and 4:14, and includes it among Babylon’s luxury goods in Revelation 18:13. Jeremiah 6:20 teaches that outward offerings cannot replace obedient hearts.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Formula for compounding Exodus 30:34; Exodus 30:35
- Uses of Exodus 30:36-38; Leviticus 16:12; Numbers 16:17; Numbers 16:40; Numbers 16:46; Deuteronomy 33:10
- Compounded by Bezaleel Exodus 37:29
- By priests 1 Chronicles 9:30
- Offered morning and evening Exodus 30:7; Exodus 30:8; 2 Chronicles 13:11
- On the golden altar Exodus 30:1-7; Exodus 40:5; Exodus 40:27; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 2 Chronicles 32:12
- In making atonement Leviticus 16:12; Leviticus 16:13; Numbers 16:46; Numbers 16:47; Luke 1:10
- Offered by Nadab and Abihu in an unauthorized manner Leviticus 10:1; Leviticus 10:2
- Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Numbers 16:16-35
- By Uzziah 2 Chronicles 26:16-21
- Offered in idolatrous worship 1 Kings 12:23; Jeremiah 41:5; Ezekiel 8:11
- Presented by the wise men to Jesus Matthew 2:11
- See ALTAR OF INCENSE
- FIGURATIVE
- Of prayer Psalms 141:2
- Of praise Malachi 1:11
- Of an acceptable sacrifice Ephesians 5:2
- SYMBOLICAL
- Of the prayers of saints Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 8:4
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Brought from Sheba Jeremiah 6:20
- Called frankincense Song of Solomon 4:6; Song of Solomon 4:14
- An article of extensive commerce Revelation 18:13
- Common, not to be offered to God Exodus 30:9
- For God’s service mixed with sweet spices Exodus 25:6; Exodus 37:29
- Receipt for mixing Exodus 30:34-36
- None but priest to offer Numbers 16:40; Deuteronomy 33:10
- Offered
- In censers Leviticus 10:1; Numbers 16:17; Numbers 16:46
- On the altar of gold Exodus 30:1; Exodus 30:6; Exodus 40:5
- Morning and evening Exodus 30:7; Exodus 30:8
- Perpetually Exodus 30:8
- By the high priest in the most holy place on the day of atonement Leviticus 16:12; Leviticus 16:13
- With fire from off the altar of burnt offering Leviticus 16:12; Numbers 16:46
- Offering of, allotted to the priests Luke 1:9
- The Jews prayed at time of offering Luke 1:10
- Designed for atonement Numbers 16:46; Numbers 16:47
- Put on meat offerings Leviticus 2:1; Leviticus 2:2; Leviticus 2:15; Leviticus 2:16; Leviticus 6:15
- Levites had charge of 1 Chronicles 9:29
- Used in idolatrous worship Jeremiah 48:35
- The Jews
- Not accepted in offering, on account of sin Isaiah 1:13; Isaiah 66:3
- Offered, to idols on altars of brick Isaiah 65:3
- Punished for offering, to idols 2 Chronicles 34:25
- Nadab and Abihu destroyed for offering, with strange fire Leviticus 10:1; Leviticus 10:2
- Korah and his company punished for offering Numbers 16:16-35
- Uzziah punished for offering 2 Chronicles 26:16-21
- Presented to Christ by the wise men Matthew 2:11
- Illustrative of
- The merits of Christ Revelation 8:3; Revelation 8:4
- Prayer Psalms 141:2; Malachi 1:11; Revelation 5:8
See also
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