What is the purpose of the Altar of Incense?

Definition and Location

The Altar of Incense was a sacred fixture inside the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, used exclusively for the burning of fragrant incense. Crafted according to precise instructions, it stood in the Holy Place, just before the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 30:1–6). It was not a large altar, but it was meticulously designed to convey deep spiritual truths.

In the Tabernacle period, this altar played a key role in daily worship. It was constructed from acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, matching the other gold-plated articles in the Holy Place. Two gold rings on its sides allowed poles also made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, to pass through for carrying. This construction enabled the altar to move with the Israelites in their wilderness journeys. Only once the Temple in Jerusalem was built under Solomon did a more permanent structure for the Altar of Incense take shape (1 Kings 7:48–50).

Biblical Instruction and Design

Scripture records explicit commands for building and using this altar. Exodus 30:1–3 declares, “You are also to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense. It is to be square… and you are to overlay it with pure gold—its top and sides and horns.” Its dimensions signified the perfection and completeness associated with God’s presence. The horns on each corner of the altar further underscored consecration and dedication.

Its location was near the inner veil, also referred to as “the curtain.” Exodus 30:6 clarifies: “Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the Ark of the Testimony… where I will meet you.” This proximity symbolized a continual offering of sweet-smelling aroma ascending to God.

Daily Usage and Priestly Responsibilities

The function of the Altar of Incense was tied directly to the duties of the priests. Twice a day—morning and evening—the priests would burn incense on it (Exodus 30:7–8). This regular schedule aligned with the times of the morning and evening sacrifices, thus uniting the fragrance of incense with the atoning sacrifices offered on the Brazen Altar in the courtyard.

Only specially prepared incense could be used. Exodus 30:34–38 details its composition, a unique blend signifying set-apart worship. God explicitly prohibited using any unauthorized incense (often referred to as “strange fire”) on this altar (Leviticus 10:1–2). This strict regulation underscored the holiness of the altar and the seriousness of proper worship.

Symbolic Significance: Intercession and Prayer

Throughout Scripture, incense is frequently connected with prayer. Psalm 141:2 proclaims, “May my prayer be set before You like incense.” Similarly, Revelation 5:8 and 8:3–4 depict golden bowls full of incense rising before God, identified specifically as “the prayers of the saints.”

The Altar of Incense’s placement just before the Most Holy Place signified that prayer is a direct avenue to the divine presence. The fragrant smoke ascending symbolized a pure, unobstructed communication between worshipers and God. Only the High Priest could pass beyond the veil, but the sweet fragrance of incense crossed the boundary, reminding the people that faithful prayer reaches God even before the barrier is lifted.

Connection to the Atonement Ritual

On the annual Day of Atonement, the High Priest was commanded to take coals from the Altar of Incense and bring them into the Most Holy Place along with the atoning blood (Leviticus 16:12–13). The cloud of incense provided a covering—an expression that God’s presence was holy and that sin needed atonement. This dramatic image linked the incense with both reverent worship and the necessity for purification.

When the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place, sprinkling the blood of the sacrifice, the Altar of Incense and its duties underscored that only through God’s ordained means of atonement could there be genuine fellowship and forgiveness.

Fulfillment in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the imagery of the Altar of Incense finds its climax in the work of Jesus. Hebrews 9:2–4 references the golden altar in connection with the Most Holy Place, hinting at its importance in the greater tabernacle motif. Jesus, as the perfect High Priest, offers perpetual intercession (Hebrews 7:25). The rising incense points to His ongoing mediation on behalf of believers.

Furthermore, the aroma of Christ’s sacrifice and intercession is portrayed in passages such as Ephesians 5:2, where Christ’s offering of Himself is described as a “fragrant offering.” Although the Altar of Incense was an Old Covenant fixture, its meaning transcends into the new reality, where believers’ prayers ascend through the perfect mediatorship of the risen Christ.

Practical Application for Worshipers

• Continual Prayer: Just as incense was burned every morning and evening, the believer is encouraged to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Incense rising day and night exemplifies constant fellowship with God.

• Purity in Worship: Only specific incense was allowed on the altar, foreshadowing the principle of worshiping “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Authentic worship must align with God’s revealed will, free from “strange fire.”

• Awareness of Holiness: The altar’s location and materials highlighted God’s perfection. Believers approach God through holiness, cleansed by Jesus’s atoning work. The presence of gilt and carefully prescribed ritual pointed to the preciousness of communing with the Creator.

• Intercessory Role: In the same way incense filled the Holy Place, believers today are called to “offer prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving” for all people (1 Timothy 2:1). This direct petition on behalf of others pleases God.

Archaeological and Cultural Background

Archaeological findings throughout the Near East reveal that altars of incense—though often used in pagan or idolatrous contexts—were common structures. Ancient cultures recognized the burning of aromatic substances as a symbolic act bridging the divine and mortal realms. Yet in the Israelite tradition, the use of incense stood apart for its unique restrictions and focus on the one true God, reflecting the biblical demand for purity and exclusivity in worship.

Excavations of sites such as Shiloh and ancient Judean cities have uncovered smaller incense stands and altars, though none remain with the precise specification of the Altar of Incense in the Tabernacle or Temple. Artifacts from the Solomon-era Temple period further demonstrate incense usage in Israel’s consistent worship traditions. These parallels support the biblical claim that an incense altar was integral to Israel’s sacrificial system, a point widely discussed in biblical archaeology circles.

Ongoing Relevance

The Altar of Incense, though part of an ancient covenantal system, continues to teach profound spiritual truths. For those who study Scripture, it models the sweet communion that God’s covenant people are invited to share with Him. For worshipers, it represents the necessity of prayer that rises to God in alignment with His holiness and purposes. For apologists, it stands as a tangible historical reference that illuminates the consistency and continuity of biblical worship practices.

The theme of incense, from Exodus to Revelation, consistently highlights God’s invitation into His presence through prayer and intercession. The Altar of Incense served ancient Israel in pointing ahead to the perfect intercessory work of Christ, an enduring reminder that prayer—like rising incense—draws believers near to the throne of grace.

Conclusion

The purpose of the Altar of Incense was rooted in worship, intercession, and the continual acknowledgment of God’s holiness. Designed from acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, situated before the veil, and used with a special incense unique to Israel, it symbolized the prayers of the faithful ascending to the Lord. Its meticulous regulations underscored the necessity of purity and sacredness when drawing near to the Almighty.

This altar’s symbolic function—linking daily incense to daily worship—remains a powerful reminder of the privilege and duty of prayer. As the fragrance ascended before the earthly sanctuary, it foreshadowed Christ’s perfect intercession and points believers today toward a life of ongoing fellowship with the One who hears and answers.