Exodus 30:8
And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְהַֽעֲלֹ֨ת
lighteth
H5927
וּבְהַֽעֲלֹ֨ת
lighteth
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 12
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנֵּרֹ֛ת
the lamps
H5216
הַנֵּרֹ֛ת
the lamps
Strong's:
H5216
Word #:
4 of 12
a lamp (i.e., the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
בֵּ֥ין
H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
5 of 12
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
יַקְטִירֶ֑נָּה
he shall burn incense
H6999
יַקְטִירֶ֑נָּה
he shall burn incense
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
7 of 12
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
תָּמִ֛יד
upon it a perpetual
H8548
תָּמִ֛יד
upon it a perpetual
Strong's:
H8548
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Historical Context
The high priest burned incense on this altar twice daily (morning and evening) when tending the lampstand. The fragrant smoke ascending into the Holy Place symbolized prayers rising to God's throne.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's intercession make your prayers acceptable to God?
- Why must sacrifice (bronze altar) precede prayer (golden altar)?
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Analysis & Commentary
The golden altar of incense stands before the veil, closest to God's presence. Daily incense offerings represent prayer ascending to God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4). The altar's position—after the bronze altar (sacrifice) but before the Most Holy Place (God's throne)—teaches that prayer is based on atonement and leads to intimacy. Christ, our intercessor, causes our prayers to ascend acceptably, adding His perfect intercession to our imperfect petitions.