King James Bible Dictionary

A fragrant composition prepared by the "art of the apothecary." It consisted of four ingredients "beaten small" (Exodus 30:34-36). That which was not thus prepared was called "strange incense" (30:9). It was offered along with every meat-offering; and besides was daily offered on the golden altar in the holy place, and on the great day of atonement was burnt by the high priest in the holy of holies (30:7, 8). It was the symbol of prayer (Psalms 141:1, 2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3, 4).

Formula for compounding
Exodus 30:34-35

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

Compounded by priests
1 Chronicles 9:30

Offered:

Morning and evening
Exodus 30:7-8; 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 16:12-13; Numbers 16:46-47; Luke 1:10

Unlawfully offered by:

Nadab and Abihu
Leviticus 10:1-2

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
Numbers 16:16-35

Uzziah
2 Chronicles 26:16-21

Offered in idolatrous worship
1 Kings 12:33; Jeremiah 41:5; Ezekiel 8:11

Presented by the wise men to Jesus
Matthew 2:11
Altar, Of Incense

Figurative:

Of prayer
Psalms 141:2

Of praise
Malachi 1:11

Of an acceptable sacrifice
Ephesians 5:2

Symbolic of the prayers of saints
Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3-4

from the Latin "to burn," "a mixture of gums or spices and the like, used for the purpose of producing a perfume when burned;" or the perfume itself of the spices, etc., burned in worship. The incense employed in the service of the tabernacle walls compounded of the perfumes stacte, onycha, galbanum and pure frankincense. All incense which was not made of these ingredients was forbidden to be offered. (Exodus 30:9) Aaron, as high priest, was originally appointed to offer incense each morning and evening. The times of offering incense were specified in the instructions first given to Moses. (Exodus 30:7,8) When the priest entered the holy place with the incense, all the people were removed from the temple, and from between the porch and the altar. Cf. (Luke 1:10) Profound silence was observed among the congregation who were praying without, cf. (Revelation 8:1) and at a signal from the perfect the priest cast the incense on the fire and, bowing reverently toward the holy of holies, retired slowly backward. The offering of incense has formed part of the religious ceremonies of most ancient nations. It was an element in the idolatrous worship of the Isr'lites. (2 Chronicles 34:25; Jeremiah 11:12,17; 48:35) It would seem to be symbolical, not of itself, but of that which makes acceptable, the intercession of Christ. In (Revelation 8:3,4) the incense is of as something distinct from offered with the prayers of, all the saints cf. (Luke 1:10) and in Revelation 6:8 It is the golden vials, and not the odors or incense, which are said to be the prayers of saints.

IN'CENSE, noun in'cens. [Latin incensum, burnt, from incendo, to burn.]

1. Perfume exhaled by fire; the odors of spices and gums, burnt in religious rites, or as an offering to some deity.

A thick cloud of incense went up. Ezekiel 8:11.

2. The materials burnt for making perfumes. The incense used in the Jewish offerings was a mixture of sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and the gum of the frankincense tree.

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein and put incense thereon. Lex.10.

3. Acceptable prayers and praises. Mal. Latin

4. In the Materia Medica, a dry resinous substance known by the name of thus and olibanum.

IN'CENSE, verb transitive in'cens. To perfume with incense In the Romish church, it is the deacon's office to incense the officiating priest or prelate, and the choir.

INCENSE, verb transitive incens.' To enkindle or inflame to violent anger; to excite angry passions; to provoke; to irritate; to exasperate; to heat; to fire. It expresses less than enrage.

How could my pious son thy power incense?

INCENS'ED, participle passive Inflamed to violent anger; exasperated.

INCENSEMENT, noun incens'ment. Violent irritation of the passions; heat; exasperation. It expresses less than rage and fury.