I'm wondering as to why and when the Altar of Incense was moved from outside the Veil in the Holy Place (Exodus 30:1) to inside the Veil of the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:4). I may be misreading the Scriptures in Exodus by thinking that the Altar may have actually been inside the Holy of Holies and its Veil, but I don't understand it to be read that way. Any help with this is greatly appreciated and thank you!
-Mike
I don't think you are misreading scripture. These passages are often used by those who claim contradiction within the bible. To my knowledge no positive proof has been offered to confirm or deny the move although several possibilities exist. I seem to recall reading the most reasonable explanation was in the possibility of a different fixture or
furnishing is referenced in the two passages. I'm interested is reading replies.
jimur,
Thanks for your reply! Apparently, this subject of Scripture has little to no concern on the forum. I am bewildered that God's Tabernacle and its parts seem to have little to no meaning among today's saints. Is this pure ignorance of the true meaning(s) to His Tabernacle, lack of care, or something related to the influence of our enemy and our flesh? I don't know, but His Tabernacle is precious! It is a presentation of Jesus Christ and the believers' life with Him. Baffled at the lack of concern/replies, but thanks again for you words.
-Mike
Hi chrstsm.
Chances are folks just have not yet picked up on your post Mike. I'm sure there are many who would find the topic of interest but are likely focused on other discussion. I must agree that a great number of professing Christians lack in personal understanding of the significance of the Tabernacle and it's furnishings, purpose, etc. Most simply view it as a type of church so to speak. Personally, I think all Christians should begin a study of the Tabernacle very early in their walk of faith. [salvation]
I'm confident there are those here much better equipped and informed than I on the subject, but I'll attempt to add what little I can. Perhaps by keeping it active for a little longer others will chime in and you'll get some answers.
In Strong's "The Tabernacle of Israel" he states;
QUOTE: The next piece of furniture that we meet in glancing around the Holy Place is the Altar of Incense, that stood in the middle line, immediately in front of the Veil that separated the room from the Most Holy (Exod. 30:6; 40:5; Lev. 16:18), a position which is further proved by the fact that incense was daily offered upon it by an ordinary priest (Exod. 30:7-10), whereas the Holy of Holies was entered but once a year by the high priest alone. Yet it was popularly reckoned as belonging to the Most Holy Place (1 Kings 6:22; Heb. 9:4), apparently on account of its great sanctity. (James Strong)
Based on my limited knowledge, for me this seems to provide adequate explanation on the surface. We know incense was offered daily by the priests. Of course the problem manifests in it's movement once per year to and from the HOH. Perhaps a difficult, but not impossible task.
I am unaware of any law, tradition, or symbolism, which would prevent it's movement. On this point I would ask your input? This is simply one of the several explanations of which I am aware and a starting point for consideration.
I have three other books on the subject of the tabernacle and will see if they have additional comments. I can't recall off hand.
The Tabernacle, the Priesthood, and the Offerings (Soltau, Henry W.)
The Temple - Its Ministry and Services (Edersheim, Alfred)
Types of the Tabernacle (Newberry, Thomas)
I'm told the "Rose Guide to the Tabernacle" is an excellent book though I have not read nor do I own a copy.
jim
The Israelites were a sojourning people, constantly picking up their camp and moving. Everywhere they went they had the priviliege of prayer unto God. Likewise, we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth, and should remember that we don't have to go to one place to pray (a church building) and no matter where we are, the throne of grace is available to us.
The altar of incense, which is a type and shadow of the prayers of the Saints, can be moved to any location and set up on a moment's notice, and there you can offer the incense of intercessory prayer to the Lord. Prayer is available to all believers everywhere and anytime regardless of location.
The altar of incense also represents the Intercessory Prayers of our Lord.
Pilgrim
Hello chrstsm,
The word " golden senser" in Hebrews 9:4 does not refer to the Alter of Incense but rather it is refering to the senser of burning coals in the following verse in Leviticus 16:12
Leviticus 16:12
And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:
Please read the whole account of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 which is referenced in Hebrews 9.
The furniture in the tabernacle was to be placed exactly in the location that God prescribed and never be moved around as one wished . The Alter of Incense was placed in front of the veil and was to remain there .
Hope this helps
God bless.
Untobabes wrote:
"The word " golden senser" in Hebrews 9:4 does not refer to the Alter of Incense but rather it is refering to the senser of burning coals in the following verse in Leviticus 16:12"
I agree with you.. the only potential issue is that it appears the High Priest put coals from the altar of incense into the censer and then took the censer in with him into the HOH, once per year.
But the Hebrews passage seems to suggest that the censer was kept in the HOH, which means the High Priest would have had to initially go into the HOH without the censer-- grab the censer, then back out of the HOH, fill the censer with coals and then go back into the HOH.
For some reason I always assumed that the High Priest entered the HOH one time only and did not go in and out multiple times on the Day of Atonement. Of course, that could be a mistaken assumption on my part.
Blessings TMK,
It seems to me from reading Leviticus 16 that the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies at least twice on the Day of Atonement.
Lev 16:6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.
11 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:
12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:
After he is done with that he offers a goat for the sin of the people.
15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:
I think the idea here is that only on the Day of Atonement the Priest can enter the Holy of Holies
Also expressed in these verses.
Lev 16: 1,2
And the Lord spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the Lord, and died;
2 And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I do appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
Because the Veil was torn after Christ's death. Jesus's intercession grants us direct access to our Father through prayer. Symbolized by the Altar not being separated from the Holy of Holies
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