Study of the Location of The Altar of Incense
Introduction:
In a study of the tabernacle and its furnishings, there is almost universal confusion and error concerning the location of the altar of incense. Most people believe it was in the holy place while, in fact, it was in the holy of holies. This article will provide the necessary research to clarify this fact.
I. General Considerations:
A. All Scripture is inspired (II Timothy 3:16-17). This being true, one scripture should ever be used to prove another one to be in error. If they are both inspired, they are both correct. If there appears to be a contradiction, then further study is needed to clarify the facts because truth never contradicts truth.
B. Clear passages always define the unclear or less clear passages. Many people become very confused in their Bible study because they use unclear, hard, or prophetic passages to define simple, plain, and clear ones. This has caused problems with obtaining a proper understanding of the kingdom, eschatology, and a host of other Biblical issues.
II. Clear Statement of Location:
We have a very clear statement about the location of the altar of incense in Hebrews 9:1-5 where we read the following:
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat, of which we cannot now speak particularly.
We must recognize from this passage one of these four possibilities. Either (a) this passage is not inspired, or (b) there is a passage somewhere that teaches the golden censer is in the holy place, contradicting this passage, and it is not inspired, or (c) the Bible contradicts itself, or (d) the golden censer was actually in the most holy place and no passage anywhere contradicts this truth.. Only this fourth solution is acceptable to the child of God.
III. Why the Confusion:
Most people obtain their beliefs from listening to others, not by studying the Scriptures for themselves. Once a false teaching gains acceptance, it is nearly impossible to eradicate it. Such is the case concerning this error. I constantly hear the defense, “But this violates what I have always believed.” To that I respond, “So what?” This response does not make me very popular. But the truth is the Bible is always right, I (and you) may not be. Until you and I can truly accept this, learning and teaching truth will be very difficult if not impossible.
But how did someone come to teach this in the first place? Usually error comes out of ignorance. One honestly believes something to be true when it is not. Such may be the case here. We are going to look at the Scriptures which may have been misunderstood, causing this confusion. Much of this work will be presented in outline form and will require the reader to look up and examine the passages on his own.
1. Some misunderstood terms
a. priest-Ex. 30:10, Lev. 16:29-30, Heb. 9:6-7
(the word “priest” is sometimes used for the high priest)
b. holy place – Lev. 16:27
(the term “holy place” is here used for the most holy)
c. Before
this we will discuss later
2. Heb. 9:6-7 misunderstood.
In this text we are simply taught that the high priest offered atonement once a year. It does NOT say the high priest went into the holy of holies only once a year. It says he went in once a year to offer the atonement. He actually went in daily when the presence of God was not in the tabernacle as we shall soon see. In fact, he went in more than once on the day of atonement which we will also see. The “once” refers to the occasion, not the number of entrances the high priest made into the tabernacle.
IV. General Review of Tabernacle:
1. Location from where God directed His people.
Ex. 25:21-22
2. Not to be entered when God is present
I Kings 8:10-11
II Chron. 5:13-14
II Chron. 7:1-2
3. God speaks from the tabernacle, people gather outside
Εx. 29:42-43
Lev. 1:1
Num. 14:10-12
Num. 16:19-21
Num. 16:42-45
Num. 20:6-8
V. The Altar of Incense and the book of Exodus:
Exodus 30:1-10
Instructions on how to build
put before the veil
v. 6
high priest burnt incense twice daily
v. 7-8
high priest offers atonement once a year
v. 10
Exodus 37:25-29
Altar is constructed
Exodus 40:1-38
Assembly of tabernacle
altar before the ark
v.5
altar before the veil
v. 26
cannot enter when Lord is present
ν. 34-35
VI. The Altar of Incense and the book of Leviticus:
Lev 16:1-34
Atonement
Aaron cannot enter whenever he wants to
v. 2
went into holy of holies to offer for self and household
v. 11-13
sprinkled blood on mercy seat
v. 14
went into holy of holies to offer for people
v. 15
priest (high priest) offered atonement
v. 30
VII. The Temple and the altar of incense:
I Kings 6:1-38
The building of the temple
1 Kings 8:6-8
The term “oracle” refers to the holy of holies
I Kings 6:19-20
Verse twenty shows the altar in the oracle, which is the holy of holies.
VIII. The Cloud and its function:
Εx. 40:34-38, Num. 9:15-23
the cloud led the people
Summary:
Several things can be gathered by a review of the scriptures dealing with the Jewish tabernacle. We will review some of them together.
1. In Exodus 40:5 we learn that the altar was before the ark. In Exodus 40:26 we learn it was before the veil. The only location which would make both statements true would be the place between the ark and the veil located in the holy of holies. This agrees perfectly with the passage in Hebrews 9:1-5 and fits all other references in the scriptures.
2. The high priest offered atonement on one specific day each year but actually entered at least twice on that day into the holy of holies to accomplish this. The “once a year” reference in Hebrews, then, applies to the date, not to the number of times he actually entered. In fact, we have seen that he entered into the holy of holies and burned incense twice daily throughout the year unless the presence of the Lord was in the tabernacle.
3. We have seen that the Lord’s presence would enter the tabernacle when he wanted to speak to Moses and the people and no one could enter into the tabernacle at this time.
There are several other conclusions we might make. But because they are probable rather than necessary conclusions, I will not here address them. As the writer of Hebrews stated, “… of which we cannot know in detail.”