Incense in Scripture is closely associated with worship, prayer, and the presence of God. It was divinely instituted under the Law and carried symbolic meaning throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
In Exodus 30:1–10, God commanded Moses to build an altar of incense to burn fragrant incense before the veil in the Tabernacle, just outside the Holy of Holies. This altar was to be used exclusively for incense, and Aaron the high priest was to burn incense on it every morning and evening when tending the lamps. The incense was to be a specific, holy blend (Exodus 30:34–38), and unauthorized use was strictly forbidden.
The burning of incense represented the prayers of the people ascending to God. Psalm 141:2 says, “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” This verse reflects the deep connection between prayer and the sweet aroma of incense in worship.
In Luke 1:9–10, while Zechariah the priest was offering incense in the temple, the people were praying outside, showing the link between the incense offering and intercession. It was during this moment that the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist.
In the book of Revelation, incense again appears in the heavenly throne room. Revelation 5:8 describes the twenty-four elders holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Similarly, Revelation 8:3–4 describes an angel at the golden altar before God, offering incense with the prayers of all the saints, and the smoke of the incense ascending before God.
Incense in worship symbolizes the pleasing and acceptable prayers of God’s people, offered in reverence and purity. It reminds believers that true worship involves sincere hearts, and that their prayers are heard and cherished before God’s throne.
