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[[Image:altarritual.jpg|link=Altars|250px|right|thumb|The [[altars]], [[priests]] and the [[Levites]] had a purpose and function in a free society. They provided a system of [[charity]] that nurtured the [[social bonds]] and [[virtue]] of society prospers in the [[Humble|humility]] those [[freewill offerings]]. Without that [[fervent charity|fervent practice of charity]] eyes will be dimmed and [[vanity]] will grow like a cancer.<Br>Sweet incense and oils are often metaphorically representative of an "underlying harmony and inter-connectivity" on a spiritual level through the precepts of the [[I am]], which can be found in the [[word of God]], and the [[Logos]] of Christ by those who have eyes to see.<Br>The welfare system of [[Moses]] and his living [[altars]] provided the [[care]] for their neighbor through a [[social safety net]] of [[charity]] and attention to the [[weightier matters]].<Br> Not only [[Breeches]] but incense are symbols in the text whose meaning and message is revealed with in the intent of [[Moses]] and Jesus.]]

== Sweet Incense ==

What is ''Sweet Incense'' mentioned many times in the Old Testament? 

The smell arising from burning of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. All offerings were accounted to be [[burnt offering]]s ''entirely given up as if it was burned''. Incense would be the symbol of the intent of the prayers of the faithful that must be sincere and ''free from pretense or deceit''. It is only an outward ''sign'' of what is hopefully a spiritual reality, like the sacrifice of Cain and Abel.

According to Bavli in Yoma 44a incense was often about atonement for sins.

Scriptures seems to dictate that its use was ''purely for holy purposes'' and was not to be used for selfish purposes or given for self-serving purposes. To misuse, give, or use it for personal gain was counterproductive to its purpose.

If there is Sweet Incense and is there an incense that is not sweet?

== Specific ingredients ==

The  specific ingredients and process employed in making ''sacred'' incense was a guarded secret.

Because it could include health<Ref>: Proverbs 27:9 ¶  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so [doth] the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
: [[Psalms 45]]:7  Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
: [[Psalms 45]]:8  All thy garments [smell] of myrrh, and aloes, [and] cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.</Ref> benefits<Ref>It is said that incense ''reflects an underlying harmony and inter-connectivity'' and ''unites the essence of life, matter, and spirit'' as prescribed in the [[Torah]].</Ref> like many of the oils also valued by the Israelites. 

These items became a great thing to use to make an offering<Ref>Exodus 25:6  Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
: Exodus 31:11  And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy [place]: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
: Exodus 35:8  And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,
: Exodus 35:15  And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle,
: Exodus 35:28  And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
: Exodus 37:29  And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.
: Exodus 39:38  And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,
: Song of Solomon 1:3  Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name [is as] ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
: Song of Solomon 3:6 ¶  Who [is] this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?</Ref> of recompence for a wrong done. The only way to determine the quality of the gift a portion could be burned. 

What really made incense sweet from God's point of view was the same thing that made Abel's offering sweet and made [[Cain]]'s offering was less excellent<Ref>Hebrews 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.</Ref> or not respected<Ref>Genesis 4:5  But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.</Ref> as sweet. It was the means, method, and the manner by which it was obtained or given.

=== Required incense ===

Many nations required [[sacrifice]] in the form of [[tribute]]. And those offerings often included some incense. There was an annual burning of [[incense]] at the [[temples]] of [[Rome]] where the faithful confirmed their allegiance and acceptance of [[Caesar]] as the [[Son of God]]. 

While burning incense is an outward demonstration of [[allegiance]] or [[faith]] it often included an offering as the true fulfillment of the out ward ritual. 

The question should always arise as to the ''sour or sweetness'' of the incense. Was it [[force]]d or [[freewill offering|freewill]]?

The word ''sweet''<Ref name="sweet">{{05561}} </Ref> is associated with the Greek word translated “peaceable”<Ref name="peace">{{1516}}</Ref> which appears in Hebrews<Ref>[[Hebrews 12]]:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable [[fruit]] of [[righteousness]] unto them which are exercised thereby.</Ref> and James<Ref>[[James 3]]:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.</Ref>. Both are related in the text to ''peaceable fruit'' which is not only said to be “pure” but is said to be the  “[[fruit]] of [[righteousness]] is sown in peace of them that make peace."

Is “sweet incense” something ''sown in peace'' producing “peace” and “a state of national tranquility” “security, safety, prosperity,” because it is in accordance with the “Messiah’s peace” and what was called “[[the way]] that leads to peace (salvation)”.<Ref name="peace"></Ref>   

If there is “sweet incense” is there also “sour incense” and “bitter fruit” because it is not sown in peace nor according to [[The Way]]?

== Incense in the temple ==

Were the [[temples]] and [[priest]]s of [[Ancient_paths|ancient times]] merely superstitious institutions of ignorant people or did they have a practical and socioeconomic value and purpose?

* If the terms like [[altars]] of [[clay and stone]]s were symbolic of institutions of men providing [[Pure Religion]]...
 
* If [[burnt offering]]s were just a [[metaphor]] for [[sacrifice]]s of the people in the form of contributions entirely given to those Charitable institutions...
 
* If the statue of the [[golden calf]] was not just a superstitious [[idols|idol]], but served a practical purpose to bind the people in the face of the danger of attack from other nations and fostering loyalty through a bound economy and population...

* If the sacrifice of the [[red heifer]] was not just a red female bovine but actually represented foreign aid given to other neighboring nations to build trust and honorable support...

* If the temple of [[Israel]] was always meant to be made of men [[called out]] (livelistones) to bring the people together through a international [[network]] of [[faith]], [[hope and [[charity]]...

:  '''Then what is the burning of [[incense]] in the temple?'''

Uzziah, also spelled Ozias, also called Azariah, or Azarias was considered to be a good king but got in trouble because as king he tried to ''burn incense in the temple'' which was a job only for the priests.<Ref>"During the period of Uzziah’s reign, the nation prospered, and desert areas were reclaimed by water conservation. Jerusalem’s walls were reconstructed, towers were added, and engines of war were mounted at strategic points. A large army was also maintained. The nation’s prosperity under Uzziah was considered to have been a result of the king’s fidelity to Yahweh."
<Br>"According to the biblical record, Uzziah’s strength caused him to become proud, which led to his destruction. He attempted to burn [[incense]] in the Temple, an act restricted to priests. When the priests attempted to send him from the Temple, the king became angry and was immediately stricken with leprosy. His son Jotham ruled for his father until Uzziah died." https://www.britannica.com/biography/Uzziah </Ref>

* Was the idea of burning incense more than just a mindless ''smoke and mirrors'' of unmoored religion ritual?

* Did the metaphor of burning incense actually represent a more practical aspect of culture and social structure of society which created the underlying [[social bonds]] of a free society?

== The word incense ==

The word translated ''incense'' is ''qëtoreth''(KufTetReishTav(קְטֹרֶת‎))<Ref name="qëtoreth">{{07004}}</Ref> which is said to appear some 60 times in the sacred text and is from the root word ''qatar''(KufTetReish(קָטַר‎))<Ref name="qatar">{{06999}}</Ref> meaning to ''sacrifice'' or ''to make a sacrifice''. The word ''incense'' appears in the Bible some  121 times and often it may be more often a [[metaphor]] for you making a [[sacrifice]] and burning the incense is merely the outward sign.

Its first appearance is in [[Exodus 25]]:6 as "sweet incense" where it is listed with "Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil". The actual word which appears in the text is wəliqṭōreṯ consisting of the [[Hebrew]] letters (וְלִקְטֹ֖רֶת) VavLamedKufTetReishTav. This form only appears 3 times in the whole text.<Ref>
: לְשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְלִקְטֹ֖רֶת הַסַּמִּֽים׃ 
: Exodus 25:6  Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for '''sweet incense''',        
: לְשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְלִקְטֹ֖רֶת הַסַּמִּֽים׃ 
: Exodus 35:8  And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,
:  וּלְשֶׁ֙מֶן֙ הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְלִקְטֹ֖רֶת הַסַּמִּֽים׃ 
: Exodus 35:28  And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.</Ref> 

It also appears 4 times without the Lamed but only with the Vav as ūqəṭōreṯ VavKufTetReishTav<Ref>
: שֶׁ֤מֶן הַמָּאוֹר֙ וּקְטֹ֣רֶת הַסַּמִּ֔ים וּמִנְחַ֥ת
: Numbers 4:16  And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest [pertaineth] the oil for the light, and the '''sweet incense''', and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, [and] the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein [is], in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.
: וּבָעֶֽרֶב־ בָּעֶ֣רֶב וּקְטֹֽרֶת־ סַמִּים֩ וּמַעֲרֶ֨כֶת
: 2 Chronicles 13:11  And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense <07004>: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the '''candlestick''' of gold with the '''lamps''' thereof, to bun every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
: אֶת־ הַנֵּר֔וֹת וּקְטֹ֖רֶת לֹ֣א הִקְטִ֑ירוּ
: 2 Chronicles 29:7  Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the '''lamps''', and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy [place] unto the God of Israel.

: שֶׁ֣מֶן וּ֭קְטֹרֶת יְשַׂמַּֽח־ לֵ֑ב
: Proverbs 27:9 ¶  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so [doth] the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty[soul 475, life 117] counsel.</Ref> and seemingly associated with "oil for the '''light'''". 

<blockquote>
Is the burning of incense a metaphor for activities that bring light and understanding to our souls?
</blockquote>

A more common form of this word for incense is qəṭōreṯ consisting of the letters KufTetReishTav appearing some 36 times and another 13 times with an additional Hey as haqqəṭōreṯ HeyKufTetReishTav and often associated with an [[altar]]. הַקְּטֹֽרֶת 

* {{Hey}}
* {{Kuf}}
* {{Tet}}
* {{Reish}}
* {{Tav}}


== Burnt ==

[[Leviticus 9]]:10: “But the fat, and the [[kidney]]s, and the caul above the [[liver]] of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded [[Moses]].”

The ''[[Kidney]] fat'' was supposed to be a portion given to the [[Levites]] which we have explained in [[Sophistry|other publications]]. It was not actually set on fire.

<blockquote>
So what does burning incense mean if it does not actually mean burning something up? 
</blockquote>

The idea of the smoke from the disposal of the incense permeating and even fumigating the mind or souls of men is a [[metaphor]] for what takes place in society when the disposal of the "incense", what ever that represents, is done in ''peace''.

[[Covetous practices]] that require [[force]] to implement are not sown in peace but in [[fear]] and [[fealty]]. 

They are neither [[righteous]] nor according to [[The Way]] of the Messiah. They are the way of [[Cain]], [[Nimrod]], [[Pharaoh]], [[Caesar]] and [[FDR]]. They will not produce national peace and tranquility but riots, [[greed]], and [[wantonness]] and [[Polybius|degenerate the people]] and the parties into [[Perfect savages]] and the governments of the [[world]] into roaring beasts because that [[Mark of the Beast|sour savor of their offering will permeate the souls of men]].


The term "burnt" is from the Hebrew word ''qatar'', רטק, [[Kuf]], [[Tet]], [[Reish]] given the Strong's number [[06999]] and translated ''incense'' 59 times, and ''burn'' 49 times, but also translated ''offer'' 3 times, kindle, and offering once each, with 4 other miscellaneous translations. It is said to be a primitive root but is identical to Strong's number 7000, ''qatar'', רטק, and other Strong's numbers 7001 and 7002 which are translated doubts twice, joints once, incense once, and joined once, and given the definitions of to shut in, enclose, join, knot, joint, and even problem. 

* {{Kuf}}
* {{Tet}}
* {{Reish}}

Another word for ''[[burnt offering]]'' is `olah,<Ref name="olah">{{05930}} </Ref> (הלע), which is translated as [[burnt offering]] 264 times, burnt sacrifice 21, but also translated ascent and go up. The same word, olah, is also numbered [[05929]] but translated ''leaf'' and ''branch''. 

Also, הלע, numbered [[05927]], is translated ''up'' 676 times, offer 67, come 22, bring 18, ascend 15, go 12, chew 9 times, offering 8, light 6, increase 4, burn 3, depart 3, put 3, spring, raised, arose, break, exalted twice each and another 33 other miscellaneous ways.

"Words are symbols of ideas." And in [[Hebrew]] the letters are also symbols but ultimately they are meant to express precepts built into creation which should never be unmoored from their purpose because of [[allegories]].

=== Incense of the Altar ===

The words ''upon the altar'' is from the Hebrew word mizbeach חבזמ [Mem, Zayin, Beit, Chet], given the Strong's number [[04196]], and is always translated altar. It is from zabach, חבז, [Zayin, Beit, Chet] Strong's number [[02076]] and translated sacrifice 85 times, offer 39, kill 5, slay 5, but as Strong's [[02077]] חבז, it is said to mean sacrifice and is translated [[sacrifice]] 155 times, offerings 6, offer once. It also appears as the name Zebah said to mean “deprived of protection.” 

[[Jeremiah 44]]:21  "The incense<Ref name="qitter">{{07002}}</Ref> that ye burned<Ref name="qatar">{{06999}}</Ref> in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it [not] into his mind?"

But the word translated ''burned'' is also a word for [[incense]].<Ref name="qatar">{{06999}}</Ref>

But being the primitive root [identical with qatar<Ref name="qatar2">{{07000}}</Ref>] supposedly ''through the idea of  fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants'' we find the same word said to mean ''shut in'' and translated ''Joined'' in Ezekiel.

[[Ezekiel 46]]:22  In the four corners of the court [there were] courts joined<Ref name="qatar2">{{07000}}</Ref> of forty [cubits] long and thirty broad: hese four corners [were] of one measure.

The word ‎ ''qëtar''<Ref name="qëtar">{{07001}}</Ref> also written (קְטַר) may mean literally ''dissolving of doubts'' as we see on Daniel.<Ref>[[Daniel 5]]:12  Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts <07001>, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.
: Daniel 5:16  And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts <07001>: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.</Ref>
 
The term <qëtoreth(קְטֹרֶת‎) is also translated incense.

[[1 Samuel 2]]:28  And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel [to be] my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense<qëtoreth(קְטֹרֶת‎)<Ref name="qëtoreth">{{07004}}</Ref>, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

We have fallen away from the teachings of the Bible. Their institution of modern Churches are barren. Instead of leading people to liberty they have delivered them into [[bondage]].

“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”  2 Peter 2:19 

The people seeking the kingdom of God have been influenced by Roman ideas and many of our traditions have evolved from that influence. 

“But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of [[Balaam]], who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of [[Israel]], to eat things sacrificed unto [[idols]], and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the [[Nicolaitan]]s, which thing I hate.” Rev. 2:14, 15 

Balac was not a [[religion]] but a government system that brought the people to a state of selfish apathy and [[wantonness]] by an exercising authority and [[covetous practices]] of vanity. The exercising authority of rulers, their entitlements, traditions and doctrines usurps the responsibility of the individual and brings them into [[sloth]], apathy and avarice. 

[[Religion]] today has been polluted by men who desire power and authority over other people, whether in civil democracies or the church pew. This power and authority to exercise authority over the choices of men was never intended by the Lord. 

Taking away the power of choice makes men ''things''<Ref> “Freedom is the Right to Choose, the Right to create for oneself the alternatives of Choice. Without the possibility of Choice, and the exercise of Choice, a man is not a man but a member, an instrument, a thing.” [[Archibald MacLeish]] </Ref>, even [[employ|human resources]].

“Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;” Jeremiah 18:15 

: "But many of the priests and [[Levites]] and chief of the fathers, [who were] ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: 13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off." [[Ezra 3]]:12

We may return to the ancient paths and join together in true [[worship]] of our King and [[Father]]. [[Modern Christians|Modern Christianity]] is the product of centuries of book burning, prevarication and persecution. We must learn to [[worship]] the Father by paying Him homage and service by caring for His sheep. We cannot serve two masters nor can we pay homage to one King while we say we worship another. 

: “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” Luke 11:2 

There should be [[no king]]s or ruler for Christians but Jesus the Christ. No Father on earth but our [[Father]] in Heaven. It is that kingdom of liberty under God which is at hand. It is the justice and mercy of His [[perfect law of liberty]] to which we owe our homage, allegiance and [[worship]]. 

: “In those days came [[John the Baptist]], preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2

[[2 Corinthians 2]]:14 "... God... causeth us to ... manifest the savour of his knowledge..."

The Greek word ''osme'' is translated savour<Ref>{{3744}}</Ref> but like [[incense]] has to do with the permeation of Christ and the [[anoint]]ing of the [[Holy Spirit]] of God in us and blessings that permeate around us when we allow that spirit to ''manifest'' in us and through us.

We are changed by our practices. If they be practices of [[charity]] and [[forgive]]ness which is required for [[righteousness]] then we are born again as we put our [[faith]] in to [[doer|doing the word and will of God]].

If we engage in [[covetous practices]] we are also changed too. Our [[love]] and [[addiction]] to the [[wages of unrighteousness]] and the [[benefits]] provided by the men who [[exercise authority]] the people are altered by the [[Polybius|degenerating effect of becoming accustomed to living at the expense of others and depending for our livelihood on the properties of others]]. Society will steadily be divided without the practice of the bonds of love and become [[perfect savages]].

== The herb ==


Maaleh Ashan is the secret ingredient of the ''ketoret'', the incense offered in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was added in the incense that made the smoke of its burning rise, which according to the Talmud the House of Avitnas, the incense maker, never revealed.

The Hebrew noun minḥah (מִנְחָה‎) is used 211 times in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible, with the first uses referring to vegetable and animal offerings brought by [[Cain]] and Abel to God. Minha, Mincha, or Minchah, Hebrew Minḥa, are all forms and aspects of “offerings”. For some reason the offerings of [[Cain]] the smoke did not rise. What is in the Maaleh Ashan that makes the smoke rise up to God. Assuming this is a metaphor what is the secret hidden in the name?

Most other uses of Maaleh Ashan refer to a gift offering, made of grain, which could be offered at any time in the day.

[[4608]]. maaleh 

[[6227]]. ashan

[[6228]]. עָשָׁן (Ashan) -- ''a place in Judah''… 
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Ashan . The same as ashan; Ashan, a place in Palestine -- Ashan. see HEBREW ashan. Forms and Transliterations. וְעָשָֽׁן׃ וְעָשָׁ֑ן ועשן ועשן׃ עָשָׁן֙ עשן ‘ā·šān ‘āšān aShan veaShan wə‘āšān wə·‘ā·šān.

[[6225]]. עָשַׁן (ashan) -- ''to smoke, be angry'' 
denominative verb from ashan. Definition. to smoke, be angry. NASB Translation. angry (1), burn (1), smoke (4). The Discovery Bible. NAS Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries.

[[3565]]. כּוֹר (Kor Ashan) -- ''Chor-ashan'' 
כּוֺרעָֿשָׁן proper name, of a location see בּוֺר עַשָׁן

{{Template:Offerings}}

== Footnotes ==

<references />


[[Category:Topics]]

[[Category:Words]]