Incense. The sacred perfume offered to God by burning on the incense altar. The gums which composed it are mentioned in Exodus 1:30-38, including salt, for v. 35 reads, "seasoned with salt" in the R. V. Incense was to be burnt on the altar made for the purpose twice a day, in the morning when the lamps were dressed, and also when they were lighted in the evening. It might seem as if this work were restricted to the high priest, Exodus 1:30-8; but certainly the ordinary priests are found burning incense, Leviticus 10:1; and, in later times at least, those who so officiated were chosen by lot, Luke 1:1-9; the people being of course without, v. 10, and probably praying in silence: comp. Revelation 8:1, Revelation 8:3. There was another solemn burning of incense—and this was the high priest's peculiar office—on the great day of atonement. Leviticus 16:13. Jewish writers have said that the incense was to counteract the unpleasant smell which might arise from the carcases of victims. but it had a higher purpose. The psalmist, Psalms 141:2, indicates this, his words implying that prayer was in reality what incense was in symbol.