What Is Incense in the Bible?
Object
A resin from trees that gives off a sweet-smelling smoke when it burns. It is offered to God: the rising smoke is like prayer.
A detail
- “Censer”: the vessel with hot coals and chains where incense is burned.
Where it appears in the Bible
Matthew 2:11; Psalms 141:2
What the Bible says
Matthew 2:11
And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Psalms 141:2
Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: RAE, “incienso” and “incensario”; Psalm 141:2