קְטֹ֫רֶת (qe.to.ret)
qe.to.ret
incense
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 50 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun qᵉṭôreth refers to the fragrant smoke rising from a burning sacrifice, specifically the sweet incense offered in the Tabernacle and Temple. Derived from a root meaning "to fumigate," it captures both the physical act of burning aromatic spices and the resulting cloud of odor that ascended toward heaven. In Exodus 30:1, God gives Moses precise instructions for crafting this sacred blend, establishing it as a central element of Israelite worship.
While most often translated simply as "incense," the word carries a broader semantic range. It can denote the smoke itself or even the fatty portions of an animal sacrifice that were burned on the altar, as seen in Psalm 66:15 where the "fat of rams" is called qᵉṭôreth. This usage highlights the connection between the visible offering and its invisible, fragrant ascent, symbolizing prayer or devotion rising to God, a theme echoed later in Psalm 141:2.
The strict regulations surrounding qᵉṭôreth underscore its holiness. Exodus 30:37 warns against producing a similar perfume for personal use, marking it as set apart exclusively for divine service. Its presence on the golden altar in the Holy Place (Exodus 30:6) signified continuous intercession, making the word a powerful symbol of mediated access to God within the Old Testament covenant community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qᵉṭôreth describes the fragrant smoke rising from the sacred altar in the Tabernacle. It was not merely a pleasant aroma but a specific act of worship commanded by God. The priests burned this special blend every morning and evening, creating a continuous cloud that ascended toward heaven. This practice reminded Israel that their approach to God required holiness and obedience.
Over time, this physical ritual became a powerful picture for prayer. When Psalm 141:2 speaks of prayer rising like incense, it draws on this familiar imagery. The smoke carried the worshiper’s devotion upward, symbolizing how our prayers reach God’s presence. It was a tangible sign that God desired communion with His people.
Today, this word invites us to consider the quality of our own prayers. Just as the incense had to be pure and prepared according to God’s instructions, our worship should reflect sincerity and reverence. We can take comfort in knowing that our prayers, offered through Christ, are pleasing to God and rise before Him with acceptance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 50 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- incense23×
- <the>/ incense7×
- [the] incense of5×
- incense of4×
- and/ for/ [the] incense of3×
- the/ incense2×
- for/ incense1×
- and/ the/ incense1×
- and/ perfume1×
- and/ incense of1×
- and/ incense1×
- and/ [the] incense of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קְטֹֽרֶת\׃10×
- קְטֹ֣רֶת6×
- קְטֹ֥רֶת4×
- הַ/קְּטֹֽרֶת\׃4×
- קְטֹ֔רֶת3×
- קְטֹ֑רֶת3×
- וְ/לִ/קְטֹ֖רֶת3×
- קְטֹֽרֶת2×
- קְטֹ֧רֶת2×
- הַ/קְּטֹ֛רֶת2×
- קְטֹ֤רֶת1×
- קְטֹ֜רֶת1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 30:7
Aaron shall burn incense of sweet spices on it every morning. When he tends the lamps, he shall burn it.
This verse establishes the daily rhythm of burning incense, showing that worship was a consistent, ordered practice rather than an occasional event.
-
Leviticus 16:13
He shall put the incense on the fire before Yahweh, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the covenant, so that he will not die.
Here the incense creates a cloud that covers the mercy seat, illustrating how the fragrance mediated access to God’s holy presence for the high priest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does qᵉṭôreth mean in the Bible?
Why was incense so important in the Tabernacle?
How is incense connected to prayer?
Every Occurrence (50 verses across 9 books)
Exodus 18 verses
oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense,
Exodus 30:1“You shall make an altar to burn incense on. You shall make it of acacia wood.
Exodus 30:7Aaron shall burn incense of sweet spices on it every morning. When he tends the lamps, he shall burn it.
Exodus 30:8When Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Yahweh throughout your generations.
Exodus 30:9You shall offer no strange incense on it, nor burnt offering, nor meal offering; and you shall pour no drink offering…
Exodus 30:27the table and all its articles, the lamp stand and its accessories, the altar of incense,
Exodus 30:35You shall make incense of it, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy.
Exodus 30:37You shall not make this incense, according to its composition, for yourselves: it shall be to you holy for Yahweh.
Exodus 31:8the table and its vessels, the pure lamp stand with all its vessels, the altar of incense,
Exodus 31:11the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded you they…
Exodus 35:8oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense,
Exodus 35:15and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door, at the door of…
Exodus 35:28with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
Exodus 37:25He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. It was square: its length was a cubit, and its width a cubit. Its height…
Exodus 37:29He made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.
Exodus 39:38the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent,
Exodus 40:5You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the…
Exodus 40:27and he burned incense of sweet spices on it, as Yahweh commanded Moses.