In the Question Chair

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 18, 1901

In the Question Chair.

[Designed for the consideration of such questions as will be of interest and profit to the general reader. All correspondents should give their names and correct post-office address, that questions not replied to here may be answered by mail.]

806.—ALTAR OF INCENSE.

How do you harmonize the Old Testament record and the statement of Paul in regard to the location of the articles of furniture in the sanctuary? In Ex. 30:1–6 the altar of incense was located in the first apartment before the veil that divided between the first and second apartments, or the holy and the most holy place. But Paul in Heb. 9:2–4 states that the censer (which held the incense) was after the second veil.

Mrs. W. H. McK., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Answer.—The golden censer was a comparatively small instrument, which could easily be moved from place to place by hand, and so be used in whatever apartment the service was to be carried on. Whereas, the altar of incense was a larger production, furnished with rings and staves “to bear it withal” (Ex. 30:4), showing that this was not designed to be moved about readily from place to place, and would require more than the high priest alone to manipulate it in such circumstances. This difference in these two articles of furniture would seem to remove all idea of conflict in the two statements. The censer was doubtless used almost exclusively in the second apartment, and so was spoken of by Paul as belonging there, inasmuch as all incense offered in the first apartment would be placed on the stationary altar of incense.