מִקְטֶ֫רֶת (miq.te.ret)
miq.te.ret
censer
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun miqteret refers specifically to a censer, a small vessel used for burning incense. This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in 2 Chronicles 26:19. In this context, it describes the object held by King Uzziah as he attempted to offer unauthorized incense in the temple, an act that led to his immediate punishment with leprosy.
Etymologically, the word derives from the root q-t-r, which means "to burn incense" or "to smoke." This connects it linguistically to other terms for incense and the associated rituals. Its singular usage highlights the specific danger of misusing sacred objects; the censer itself is not evil, but its improper use by someone outside the priestly line violates the strict boundaries set for worship.
Translators typically render miqteret simply as "censer," capturing its function without adding extra theological weight. The rarity of the word in Scripture underscores the seriousness of the narrative surrounding it, serving as a concrete example of the consequences when ritual duties are performed without proper authority or obedience to divine law.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word miqteret appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, describing a censer held by King Uzziah. This single occurrence tells a sobering story about the boundaries of worship. Uzziah, though a king, reached for a priestly tool to burn incense himself. His heart grew proud, and he crossed a line God had set for holy service.
This word reminds us that how we approach God matters just as much as why we do it. Sacred things are not meant to be handled casually or without proper authority. The censer itself is good, but using it wrongly brings judgment. It teaches us to respect the holiness of worship and to submit to the order God has established.
For your faith life, this means approaching God with reverence. We do not force our way into His presence on our own terms. Instead, we come as He invites us, trusting in His grace and following His ways. This humility protects us from pride and keeps our hearts aligned with His will.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a censer1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִקְטֶ֖רֶת1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 26:19
Then Uzziah was angry. He had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in Yahweh’s house, beside the altar of incense.
The censer here is the specific instrument of Uzziah’s unauthorized priestly act, linking the object directly to his pride and immediate punishment.