Leviticus 16:12
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This isn't just about burning incense; it's about carefully carrying coals from the altar of burnt offering. This signifies bringing the very presence and judgment of God, now tempered by the altar's fire, into the sacred space where He dwelt. The high priest, in essence, carries a piece of God's judgment, veiled by the incense, as a necessary step toward atonement.
And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes the highly ritualized Day of Atonement, a solemn occasion for Israel. The high priest, Aaron, is about to enter the most sacred space, the Holy of Holies, behind the thick curtain, a place no one else could enter and survive. He prepares for this perilous journey by taking burning coals from the altar and sweet incense, steps crucial for appeasing God’s presence and atoning for the people’s sins.
Why did the High Priest need burning coals and incense for his sacred task? It wasn't just about making things smell nice.
The act of bringing burning coals and incense into the Holy of Holies was deeply symbolic.
Burning Coals:
These coals were taken from the altar of burnt offering, representing the purification that comes through judgment and sacrifice. They were a sign of God's fiery presence and the necessary, sometimes painful, process of dealing with sin. The fact that they were 'before the LORD' emphasized that even judgment and sacrifice occurred under God's watchful eye and according to His will.
Sweet Incense:
Beaten small, the incense symbolized prayers and intercessions. Its sweet fragrance rising was a picture of prayers ascending to God, made acceptable by the underlying sacrifice (the coals). This combination points to how our prayers are not only heard because of Christ's atoning work but also because they are offered in faith and humility.
Why the extreme caution with the veil and the Holy of Holies? It highlights the awesome holiness of God.
The High Priest’s journey into the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary, was not a casual stroll. It was a highly regulated and dangerous procedure.
The Veil:
This thick curtain separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, a physical barrier signifying the separation between humanity and God's ultimate presence. Only the High Priest could pass through, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement.
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The Holy of Holies:
This was God’s dwelling place among His people, marked by the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat. The cloud where God promised to appear underscored His awesome, untamed holiness. The requirement to cover the Mercy Seat with incense smoke was a divine protection – a way for the High Priest to approach God's presence without being consumed by its intensity.
This event powerfully illustrates that God's presence is both near and terrifyingly holy, requiring a mediator and a covering of atonement for sinful humans to survive in His presence.
Understand the original words
machtah · Hebrew Noun
A vessel used for holding burning coals and incense, often used in priestly service to offer prayers or symbolic intercession before God.
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
The place of burnt offering in the Tabernacle/Temple where sacrifices were made; it represents the holiness of God that consumes sin and the provision of a way to approach Him.
paroketh · Hebrew Noun
The heavy curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, symbolizing the barrier caused by sin between a holy God and sinful humanity.
This passage directly links the High Priest's actions in the Holy of Holies, including the use of incense, to the heavenly realities fulfilled in Christ's ministry.
Exodus 30:34-38This passage describes the specific composition and purpose of the sweet incense used in worship, highlighting its significance as a fragrant offering before the Lord.
Revelation 8:3-4This New Testament vision parallels the Levitical rite, depicting an angel offering incense with the prayers of the saints, showing the continuity of this symbolic act in heavenly worship.
Psalm 141:2This psalm expresses a prayer for one's own prayers to be directed before God like incense, illustrating the desired acceptance and pleasing aroma that the incense in Leviticus symbolized.
gillLeviticus 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:"
And he shall take a censer,.... A fire pan, a sort of chafing dish or perfuming pot; this was a golden one, as appears from Hebrews 9:4 ; hence Christ, the Angel of God's presence, our interceding High Priest, is said to have such an one, Revelation 8:3 ; and so Josephus says (g), it was a golden one the h…
calvinLeviticus 16:1-34: "And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;"
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 will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
Dixitque Jellova ad Mosen, Loquere ad Aharon fratrem tuum, ut ne ingrediatnr omni tempore sanctuarium intra velum…
This isn't just about burning incense; it's about carefully carrying coals from the altar of burnt offering. This signifies bringing the very presence and judgment of God, now tempered by the altar's fire, into the sacred space where He dwelt. The high priest, in essence, carries a piece of God's judgment, veiled by the incense, as a necessary step toward atonement.
This passage describes the highly ritualized Day of Atonement, a solemn occasion for Israel. The high priest, Aaron, is about to enter the most sacred space, the Holy of Holies, behind the thick curtain, a place no one else could enter and survive. He prepares for this perilous journey by taking burning coals from the altar and sweet incense, steps crucial for appeasing God’s presence and atoning for the people’s sins.
This passage describes the highly ritualized Day of Atonement, a solemn occasion for Israel. The high priest, Aaron, is about to enter the most sacred space, the Holy of Holies, behind the thick curtain, a place no one else could enter and survive. He prepares for this perilous journey by taking burning coals from the altar and sweet incense, steps crucial for appeasing God’s presence and atoning for the people’s sins.
"And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil" — This isn't just about burning incense; it's about carefully carrying coals from the altar of burnt offering. This signifies bringing the very presence and judgment of God, now tempered by the alt…
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Last reviewed October 2026
