Altar of Incense

INCENSE, ALTAR OF. The altar of incense was part of the furniture prescribed in the orders God gave to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Exod 30:1-11). It was a cubit square and two cubits high, with horns on the corners, formed of acacia wood and plated with gold (Exod 37:25-28). Rings were added through which poles could be inserted for the purpose of carrying it. The high priest was directed to burn incense on it every morning and evening, but to offer no sacrifice or pour no libation upon it. Presumably this is identical with the golden altar mentioned later (Exod 39:38), and is distinguished from the large bronze altar that stood in the courtyard of the Tabernacle.