Censer

A bowl used for burning incense or moving hot coals.

Terracotta censer for burning incense and firepan for moving hot coals
Terracotta censer for burning incense and firepan for moving hot coals (© Ray Pritz by United Bible Societies) Censer

About Censer

A censer is a container used to burn incense. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest burned two handfuls of incense in the censer. He did this inside the most holy place before the Lord (Leviticus 16:12). The censers of the tabernacle were bronze (Numbers 16:39). The censers used by the angels in the book of Revelation were gold (Revelation 8:3–5).

See also Tabernacle; Temple.

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Form, use in ancient daily life, and how translators render the term.

Key References

Leviticus 16:12

Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil.

Numbers 16:17

Each man is to take his censer, place incense in it, and present it before the LORD—250 censers. You and Aaron are to present your censers as well.”

Revelation 8:3

Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.

All Scripture References (2)

Revelation (2)
Revelation 8:3

Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.

Revelation 8:5

Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.