having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse lists items that were within or associated with the Ark of the Covenant, but it's fascinating that the writer includes the golden censer. While the Ark was inside the Most Holy Place, the altar of incense—and by extension, the censer used with it—was typically located outside in the Holy Place, highlighting the writer's focus on the function and significance of these items in worship rather than strict geographical placement.
having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is describing the sacred furnishings of the Tabernacle's innermost sanctuary, the Holy of Holies. This detailed account of the ark, the manna, Aaron's rod, and the covenant tablets follows the writer's explanation of the Tabernacle's structure and the high priest's limited access. The purpose is to set the stage for contrasting the Old Covenant's rituals with Christ's superior sacrifice.
The text mentions a 'golden censer' in the Holy of Holies. But wait, wasn't that usually kept elsewhere? Let's unravel this mystery!
The description of the 'golden censer' here sparks a bit of scholarly debate. While some ancient texts suggest the incense altar was in the outer 'Holy Place,' the writer of Hebrews connects it closely with the 'Holy of Holies' and the ark.
A Matter of Location?
Symbolism of the Incense
The Ark of the Covenant held the most sacred items. What do these specific relics reveal about God's relationship with His people?
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The Ark of the Covenant was the ultimate symbol of God's presence among His people. Inside, three powerful reminders of their journey and God's faithfulness were kept:
The Golden Pot of Manna
Aaron's Budded Staff
The Tablets of the Covenant
Understand the original words
kibōtos · Greek Noun
The wooden box overlaid with gold that contained the tablets of the Law; it served as the physical throne of God on earth and the focus of atonement rituals.
manna · Greek Noun
The supernatural food provided by God to the Israelites in the wilderness, symbolizing God's daily provision and dependence on His sustaining word.
plakes · Greek Noun
The stone tablets given to Moses at Sinai containing the Ten Commandments, which served as the fundamental moral and legal standard of the covenant.
c. 1440 BC
Tabernacle Construction
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites are given instructions to build the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that would house the Ark of the Covenant and serve as the center of their worship. The Ark itself is constructed and covered in gold.
c. 1440 BC
Ark Contents Placed
The Ark of the Covenant is placed within the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle. According to tradition and interpretations of Exodus and Numbers, a golden pot of manna and Aaron's rod are placed inside or near the Ark, alongside the tablets of the covenant.
c. 1440 BC
Incense Altar Instruction
The golden altar of incense is placed in the Holy Place, in front of the veil separating it from the Most Holy Place, according to Exodus 30:6.
c. 1000 BC
Ark in Solomon's Temple
After the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant is moved to Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem and placed in the newly constructed Most Holy Place. According to 1 Kings 8:9, only the stone tablets are found inside the Ark at this time.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Solomon's Temple
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroy Solomon's Temple. The Ark of the Covenant disappears during this destruction, and its fate remains unknown.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
After the Babylonian exile, the Second Temple is built. Notably, the Ark of the Covenant is not present in this new sanctuary, with Jewish tradition suggesting it was either lost or hidden.
c. AD 60-70— this verse
Author writes Hebrews
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews writes to a community of Jewish Christians, likely in Rome or Jerusalem. The author describes the Ark and its contents, drawing on both Scripture and Jewish tradition to explain the superiority of Christ's ministry.
This passage details the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, including its golden overlay, and the cherubim, providing the Old Testament basis for the sacred objects mentioned in Hebrews.
Exodus 30:1-10This describes the golden altar of incense and its placement before the veil, shedding light on one of the objects mentioned and the debate about its location within the Most Holy Place.
Leviticus 16:12-13This passage outlines the high priest's use of a censer with incense in the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement, directly connecting to the function of the 'golden censer' mentioned in Hebrews.
Numbers 17:1-10This narrative recounts the miracle of Aaron's rod budding, providing the context for its inclusion as a sacred memorial within the Ark's contents.
1 Kings 8:9This verse states that only the tables of the covenant were in the Ark in Solomon's temple, offering a contrasting historical perspective to the contents described in Hebrews and sparking discussion among commentators.
vincentHebrews 9:4: "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;"
The golden censer (χρυσοῦν θυμιατήριον)The noun N.T.o. It may mean either censer or altar of incense. In lxx the altar of incense is called θυσιαστήριον θυμιάματος Exodus 30:1, Exodus 30:27; Leviticus 4:7 : comp. Luke 1:11. Θυμιατήριον is used of a censer, 2 Chronicles 26:19; Ezekiel 8…
meyerHebrews 9:4: "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;"
Hebrews 9:4 . Θυμιατήριον ] is either interpreted as altar of incense or as censer . The latter, and indeed as a golden censer , which was employed by the high priest on the great day of atonement, is thought of by Luther, Grotius, de Dieu, Calov, Reland, Limborch, Wolf, Bengel, Wetstein, C…
The verse lists items that were within or associated with the Ark of the Covenant, but it's fascinating that the writer includes the golden censer. While the Ark was inside the Most Holy Place, the altar of incense—and by extension, the censer used with it—was typically located outside in the Holy Place, highlighting the writer's focus on the function and significance of these items in worship rather than strict geographical placement.
The author is describing the sacred furnishings of the Tabernacle's innermost sanctuary, the Holy of Holies. This detailed account of the ark, the manna, Aaron's rod, and the covenant tablets follows the writer's explanation of the Tabernacle's structure and the high priest's limited access. The purpose is to set the stage for contrasting the Old Covenant's rituals with Christ's superior sacrifice.
The author is describing the sacred furnishings of the Tabernacle's innermost sanctuary, the Holy of Holies. This detailed account of the ark, the manna, Aaron's rod, and the covenant tablets follows the writer's explanation of the Tabernacle's structure and the high priest's limited access. The purpose is to set the stage for contrasting the Old Covenant's rituals with Christ's superior sacrifice.
"having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant." — The verse lists items that were within or associated with the Ark of the Covenant, but it's fascinating that the writer includes the golden censer. While the Ark was inside the Most Holy Place, the…
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Last reviewed October 2026