Topical Bible: Altar of Incense: had Four Rings of Gold Under the Crown for the Staves

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The Altar of Incense, also known as the Golden Altar, holds significant importance in the worship practices of ancient Israel as described in the Old Testament. It was situated in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, directly in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This altar was used exclusively for burning incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God.

Construction and Design

The instructions for the construction of the Altar of Incense are detailed in Exodus 30:1-10. The altar was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, emphasizing its sacred purpose and the holiness required in approaching God. It measured a cubit in length and width, and two cubits in height, with horns on each of its four corners. The altar was adorned with a gold molding, or crown, around its top edge.

A distinctive feature of the Altar of Incense was the presence of four rings of gold, positioned under the crown. These rings were designed to hold the staves, or poles, which were also made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. The staves were used to carry the altar, ensuring that it was portable and could be moved with the Israelites during their wilderness journey. Exodus 30:4 states, "Make two gold rings for the altar below the molding on two opposite sides to hold the poles used to carry it."

Function and Ritual Use

The primary function of the Altar of Incense was to serve as the place where incense was burned daily by the priests. The incense, a specific blend of spices as commanded by God, was to be burned every morning and evening, coinciding with the lighting of the lamps on the Lampstand (Exodus 30:7-8). This ritual was a perpetual offering before the Lord, symbolizing the continual prayers and intercession of the people.

The burning of incense was a sacred act, and only the priests were permitted to perform this duty. Unauthorized use of the altar or offering of "strange incense" was strictly forbidden, as seen in the account of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-2, where they faced severe consequences for their disobedience.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

The Altar of Incense holds deep symbolic meaning within the context of Israelite worship. The rising smoke of the incense represented the prayers of the faithful ascending to God, as reflected in Psalm 141:2 : "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering."

In the broader theological framework, the Altar of Incense prefigures the intercessory work of Christ. Just as the incense was a pleasing aroma to the Lord, so too are the prayers of believers, offered through Christ, a fragrant offering to God. The New Testament book of Revelation also echoes this imagery, depicting the prayers of the saints as incense before the throne of God (Revelation 8:3-4).

The Altar of Incense, with its intricate design and sacred function, underscores the importance of prayer and intercession in the life of faith, serving as a continual reminder of the need for holiness and reverence in approaching the divine presence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 30:4
And two golden rings shall you make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, on the two sides of it shall you make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it with.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 37:27
And he made two rings of gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, on the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it with.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Close of the Theban Empire --(Continued)
... ordinary and by red water, by the incense of the ... kneeling scribe embracing a
ram-headed altar: the face ... beds supposed that two benevolent lions had, of their ...
/.../chapter ithe close of the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Book of Judges appears to cover more than four centuries, from ... him and unto his house,"
but he had also erected under a terebinth tree a stone altar to Jahveh ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according ... shall be like the bowls
before the altar, and every ... hath chosen; for after that he had said before ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm