Today we will talk about Bible verses about frankincense. Many Christians often marvel at the significance of this precious resin mentioned in Scripture, especially in connection with the birth of Jesus. Frankincense was one of the gifts brought by the wise men, symbolizing divinity and worship. This aromatic resin has deep roots in the history of our faith, often linked to worship, purity, and the presence of God. As we explore these verses, let’s open our hearts and minds to understand the meanings and reflections they can provide in our lives. Let’s journey together through God’s word and discover the powerful messages that frankincense holds for us!
Bible Verses About Frankincense
Symbol of Worship
In the Bible, frankincense often represents worship. It’s phenomenal how this fragrant resin was used in offerings to God and incense burned in the temple. When we think about the Bible verses related to frankincense, we remember that it is not just a sweet smell but a reminder for us to present ourselves as living sacrifices. We can offer our praises and worship through our actions, decisions, and the way we treat others. Just as frankincense filled the temple with its aroma, our lives should fill the world with the sweet fragrance of love and faithfulness.
Exodus 30:34
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts.'” – Exodus 30:34
Matthew 2:11
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11
Revelation 5:8
“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” – Revelation 5:8
Psalm 141:2
“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” – Psalm 141:2
Luke 1:10
“And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.” – Luke 1:10
Offerings and Sacrifices
Frankincense was not just any ingredient; it held a special purpose in offerings. In ancient Israel, frankincense was used in sacrifices to symbolize a pleasing aroma rising to God. Today, we may not offer frankincense, but we can be reminded of the importance of giving our time, talents, and resources. The Bible encourages us to be generous as a form of worship. It’s a powerful expression of gratitude for all we have. When we offer our lives as a sacrifice, it becomes a beautiful fragrance that God cherishes, just like the ancient offerings of frankincense.
Leviticus 2:2
“And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons, the priests. The priest shall take from the grain offering a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all the incense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.” – Leviticus 2:2
Leviticus 6:15
“The priest is to take a handful of the flour and oil together with all the frankincense and burn it as a memorial portion on the altar, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.” – Leviticus 6:15
Exodus 30:7
“Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps.” – Exodus 30:7
Philippians 4:18
“I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” – Philippians 4:18
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Purity and Holiness
Frankincense also reflects the themes of purity and holiness in our lives. In the ancient sacrifices, frankincense was deemed pure, reminding us of the call to pursue holiness. God desires for us to live in a way that is distinct from the world. Holiness isn’t just an attribute of God; it is a way of life that we are called to embody as His followers. As we engage with the verses related to frankincense, we can be encouraged to seek pure thoughts, speech, and actions that honor the Lord and reflect His character.
1 Peter 1:16
“For it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'” – 1 Peter 1:16
Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” – Hebrews 12:14
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” – 2 Corinthians 7:1
Isaiah 6:3
“And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory!'” – Isaiah 6:3
1 Thessalonians 4:7
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:7
Sign of Divine Presence
Another aspect we can explore about frankincense is its representation of the divine presence of God. The aroma of frankincense was often felt in places dedicated to worship, symbolizing that God dwells among His people. When we read the verses on this topic, we are reminded of God’s proximity to us. In our daily lives, we can experience His presence through prayer, worship, and the whispers of the Holy Spirit. The gift of frankincense at Christ’s birth is a reminder that He came to be with us, validating the divine connection we have with our Creator.
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:20
John 14:23
“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.'” – John 14:23
Acts 2:4
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” – Acts 2:4
1 Corinthians 3:16
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16
Romans 8:9
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” – Romans 8:9
Promises of Restoration
As Christians, we can find hope in the notion that frankincense symbolizes restoration. God has made promises to restore His creation, to bring healing, and to mend the broken places in our lives. When we reflect on the offerings of frankincense, we remember that God desires to bring wholeness and renewal. The Bible encourages us to trust in His redemptive plan for our lives and the world around us. The fragrance of frankincense thus serves as an assurance that God is actively working towards restoration in all aspects of life.
Isaiah 61:3
“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” – Isaiah 61:3
Jeremiah 30:17
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD.” – Jeremiah 30:17
Ezekiel 34:26
“I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.” – Ezekiel 34:26
Revelation 21:5
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” – Revelation 21:5
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Divine Healing
Frankincense is also connected to healing in the Bible. The use of frankincense was known for its healing properties, as well as a metaphor for the spiritual healing that God offers us. As we look at the verses in this section, we are reminded that God is the ultimate healer, providing comfort and restoration to our souls and bodies. Just as frankincense has been used for centuries to bring healing, we are called to trust in God’s promises of health and wholeness through our faith. We can pray and trust that He is always present with us in our healing journey.
James 5:15
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” – James 5:15
Proverbs 4:20-22
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” – Proverbs 4:20-22
Jeremiah 33:6
“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” – Jeremiah 33:6
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24
Symbol of Prayer
We cannot discuss frankincense without recognizing its connection to our prayers. Just as the sweet aroma of frankincense is offered up in worship, our prayers ascend to God in the same manner. The Bible encourages us to approach God in prayer with faith and sincerity, knowing that He hears us. The verses remind us that our prayers are powerful and precious to God, and each prayer is like offering up a bit of our hearts. In times of uncertainty or need, let’s pray faithfully, knowing that we have a loving Father who attends to the needs of His children.
Revelation 8:3
“Another angel who had a gold censer came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne.” – Revelation 8:3
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray continually.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
Jeremiah 29:12
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:12
Affirmation of Faith
Lastly, the use of frankincense can symbolize our affirmation of faith. This fragrant offering reflects our commitment to God and the belief that we can present our lives to Him. This Biblical symbol encourages us to actively express our faith through our daily actions, choices, and interactions with others. The gift of frankincense serves as a beautiful reminder that worship isn’t reserved for specific moments but is an ongoing journey we embrace together as believers. When we affirm our faith, we gain strength and encouragement from God and one another.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Romans 10:17
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” – Romans 10:17
James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the biblical significance of frankincense, we are reminded of its rich symbolism related to worship, healing, prayers, and our affirmation of faith in God. The verses we explored illustrate the countless ways this fragrant resin serves as a bridge to understanding our relationship with our Creator. We can embody the qualities of frankincense in our own lives by living in purity, offering ourselves as sacrifices, and seeking God’s presence daily. Together, we can embrace the sweet aroma of faith, allowing it to guide us in our journey of love, gratitude, and dedication to our Lord.
Let us carry the message of these verses into our lives, sharing the fragrance of God’s love with those around us. In the spirit of frankincense, may we constantly approach God with our prayers and offerings, confident in His divine care and healing. With every opportunity, let’s present ourselves to God, trusting that just as frankincense was a precious gift, our lives can be beautifully offered to Him in service and worship.
May our journey be marked by the presence of God, empowering us to be living examples of His grace and truth. Together, we can walk in faith, inspired by the aroma of frankincense that ultimately points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
