Censer

The censer was a vessel, typically of gold or bronze, used to carry burning coals on which incense was placed, producing the fragrant smoke that ascended before the Lord in tabernacle and temple worship. In the tabernacle ritual, the high priest filled the censer with coals from the bronze altar of burnt offering and carried it into the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, placing incense upon the coals so that the cloud of smoke covered the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:12–13). Golden censers were among the temple furnishings described in 1 Kings 7:50. The episode of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram includes the dramatic test of two hundred fifty men each bringing a censer before the Lord, followed by divine fire consuming them when they presumed to offer unauthorized incense (Numbers 16:17–35). King Uzziah was struck with leprosy when he presumed to burn incense in the temple (2 Chronicles 26:19). In Revelation, golden censers full of incense represent the prayers of the saints before the throne of God (Revelation 5:8; 8:3–5).