feminine of מִקְטָר; something to fume (incense) in, i.e. a coal-pan; censer.
Transliteration:miqṭereth
Pronunciation:mik-teh'-reth
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מִקְטֶרֶת (miqṭereth), transliterated as *miqṭereth*, is a feminine noun derived from the masculine form מִקְטָר (miqṭar, `{{H4729}}`). Its core meaning denotes "something to fume (incense) in," specifically a "coal-pan" or "censer." This definition highlights its primary function as a vessel designed to hold burning coals or incense, facilitating the release of aromatic smoke. The root verb is קָטַר (qāṭar, `{{H6999}}`), which means "to burn incense" or "to cause to smoke," particularly in a sacrificial or cultic context. Thus, *miqṭereth* inherently signifies an instrument used in acts of cultic offering, specifically those involving the burning of fragrant substances. Its form suggests a portable container, typically made of metal, used to carry coals and incense for ritual purposes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *miqṭereth* appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its few occurrences carry significant weight, primarily illustrating instances of improper or idolatrous worship.
1. **[[2 Chronicles 26:19]]**: This verse describes King Uzziah's audacious attempt to burn incense in the temple. "Then Uzziah was enraged; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was enraged with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense." Here, the *miqṭereth* is the instrument of Uzziah's transgression. As a king, he usurped the exclusive priestly function of offering incense, an act that directly defied divine command and resulted in immediate divine judgment—leprosy. The censer in his hand becomes a tangible symbol of his hubris and the severe consequences of encroaching upon sacred boundaries.
2. **[[Ezekiel 8:11]]**: In Ezekiel's vision of the abominations in the temple, he observes seventy elders of the house of Israel, "each with his censer in his hand, and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up." This scene depicts deep-seated idolatry within the very precincts of the temple. The *miqṭereth* is again present, but this time it is used by numerous individuals engaged in pagan rites, burning incense to "every form of creeping things and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel." The censers here are instruments of apostasy, symbolizing the nation's spiritual defilement and their turning away from YHWH to foreign gods.
In both contexts, the *miqṭereth* is not merely an inert object but is central to acts of worship that are deemed illegitimate or offensive to God. Its presence underscores a violation of covenantal purity and proper cultic protocol.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of *miqṭereth* is closely tied to the broader concept of incense offerings and their associated rituals in ancient Israelite worship.
* **Root Verb:** The foundational verb is קָטַר (qāṭar, `{{H6999}}`), meaning "to burn incense," "to cause to smoke," or "to offer by burning." This root is pervasive in texts describing sacrificial and cultic practices.
* **Masculine Counterpart:** מִקְטָר (miqṭar, `{{H4729}}`) is the masculine form, which can also refer to a censer or, more commonly, a "place of burning" or an "altar of incense."
* **Incense:** The substance burned in the censer is קְטֹרֶת (qəṭōreth, `{{H7002}}`), which specifically denotes the sacred incense commanded for use in the Tabernacle and Temple rituals ([[Exodus 30:34-38]]).
* **Altar of Incense:** The golden altar upon which incense was burned daily was a central fixture in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and Temple ([[Exodus 30:1-10]]). While the *miqṭereth* is a portable censer, it relates to the larger concept of incense offerings performed at this altar.
* **Priesthood:** The act of offering incense was a sacred duty reserved exclusively for the Aaronic priesthood ([[Numbers 16:40]]). The misuse of the *miqṭereth* by Uzziah highlights the sanctity of this priestly function.
* **Worship and Idolatry:** The contexts of *miqṭereth* underscore the critical distinction between legitimate worship of YHWH and unauthorized or idolatrous practices.
### Theological Significance
The *miqṭereth*, though a simple cultic implement, carries profound theological significance, primarily as an object associated with the sanctity and proper conduct of worship.
1. **Instrument of Worship:** At its most basic, the censer is a tool for offering incense, which in biblical theology often symbolizes prayer ascending to God ([[Psalm 141:2]], [[Revelation 5:8]], [[Revelation 8:3-4]]). Its proper use by authorized priests was an act of devotion and communion with the divine.
2. **Symbol of Authority and Purity:** The exclusive right to use the censer for sacred incense offerings was a hallmark of the Aaronic priesthood. Any attempt by unauthorized individuals (like Uzziah) to employ it was seen as a direct challenge to God's established order and the sanctity of the cult. The immediate divine judgment on Uzziah underscores the seriousness of such presumption.
3. **Warning Against Idolatry and Apostasy:** The occurrences in 2 Chronicles and Ezekiel powerfully illustrate the *miqṭereth* as an instrument of spiritual defilement when used in idolatrous contexts. In Ezekiel's vision, the censers of the elders are not just objects but participate in the abominable acts of worship to false gods, symbolizing Israel's deep spiritual corruption and betrayal of their covenant with YHWH. The smoke rising from these censers, instead of being a pleasing aroma to God, represents the stench of spiritual rebellion.
4. **Emphasis on Divine Prescription:** The negative contexts surrounding *miqṭereth* serve as a stark reminder that worship is not to be conducted according to human whim but strictly according to divine prescription. God's holiness demands reverence and adherence to His revealed will in all matters of worship.
### Summary
The Hebrew term מִקְטֶרֶת (*miqṭereth*) refers to a censer or a vessel for burning incense, deriving from the root meaning "to cause to smoke" or "to burn incense." Although infrequently mentioned in the biblical text, its appearances are highly significant. In [[2 Chronicles 26:19]], it is the instrument of King Uzziah's unauthorized priestly act, leading to divine judgment. In [[Ezekiel 8:11]], it is used by idolatrous elders in the temple, symbolizing Israel's deep spiritual apostasy. The *miqṭereth* thus stands as a potent symbol in the biblical narrative, underscoring the sanctity of divine worship, the importance of adhering to God's prescribed rituals, and the severe consequences of human presumption or idolatry in approaching the Holy One of Israel. It serves as a tangible reminder that genuine worship must be offered in spirit and truth, according to God's revealed will, and by those He has authorized.
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