Why does writer of Hebrews appear to not locate alter of incense in Holy Place

[adamjedgar]

Exodus 30:1You are also to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense.6Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony.

Hebrews 9:2A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread.b This was called the Holy Place.

Why does the alter of incense for the Heavenly Sanctuary not appear to be located in the Holy Place by the writer of Hebrews and is this of any significance considering the lamb of God, who was without sin, had now become High Priest?

We find a significant difference in explanation between the KJV and other versions here too...other versions have interpreted the Golden Censor as being the Alter. This is not the case with the KJV (i think the KJV is the correct translation here).

In any case, here is my theory, After Jesus crucifixion, the incense (which normally flowed into the Most Holy Place from the Alter of Incense) was no longer needed to protect our High Priest from death of the glory of God on the mercy seat.

Jesus had already redeemed us, he paid the price for sin, he cant die twice! Second, I follow the Trinitarian view that Jesus is God, he cant be killed by his own Glory! Therefore, the incense from the alter is no longer needed for the same purpose as in the Old testament sanctuary.

Also Rev 8 makes an interesting observation... 3And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

At this point in time, even though he approaches the alter, the Angel in Revelation does not get his incense from the Alter...it is given to him (placed in His censor) and he then offers the prayers of the saints on the Alter!

I feel that the key to all of this is Matthew 27: 50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;

The heavenly sanctuary is an antitype of the earthly. The earthly temple veil was torn in two at Jesus death and I think this is significant in explaining Hebrews 9:2&3

[Michael37]

46 minutes ago, adamjedgar said:

Exodus 30:1You are also to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense.6Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony.

Hebrews 9:2A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread.b This was called the Holy Place.

Why does the alter of incense for the Heavenly Sanctuary not appear to be located in the Holy Place by the writer of Hebrews and is this of any significance considering the lamb of God, who was without sin, had now become High Priest?

We find a significant difference in explanation between the KJV and other versions here too...other versions have interpreted the Golden Censor as being the Alter. This is not the case with the KJV (i think the KJV is the correct translation here).

In any case, here is my theory, After Jesus crucifixion, the incense (which normally flowed into the Most Holy Place from the Alter of Incense) was no longer needed to protect our High Priest from death of the glory of God on the mercy seat.

Jesus had already redeemed us, he paid the price for sin, he cant die twice! Second, I follow the Trinitarian view that Jesus is God, he cant be killed by his own Glory! Therefore, the incense from the alter is no longer needed for the same purpose as in the Old testament sanctuary.

Also Rev 8 makes an interesting observation... 3And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

At this point in time, even though he approaches the alter, the Angel in Revelation does not get his incense from the Alter...it is given to him (placed in His censor) and he then offers the prayers of the saints on the Alter!

I feel that the key to all of this is Matthew 27: 50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;

The heavenly sanctuary is an antitype of the earthly. The earthly temple veil was torn in two at Jesus death and I think this is significant in explaining Hebrews 9:2&3

Hi @adamjedgar,

Do you have access to any commentaries? Here's something from the Believer's Bible Commentary that speaks to Hebrews 9.

The Holy Place contained three articles of furniture:

1. The table of showbread, on which were twelve cakes of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. These cakes were called “bread of the Presence” because they were set before the face or presence of God.
2. The golden lampstand, with seven arms reaching upward and holding oil-burning lamps.
3. The golden altar of incense, on which the holy incense was burned morning and evening.

Heb 9:3 Behind the second veil was the Holiest of All or the Holy of Holies. Here God manifested Himself in a bright shining cloud. It was the one spot on earth where He could be approached with the blood of atonement.
Heb 9:4 This second compartment of the original tabernacle contained the ark of the covenant, a large wooden chest overlaid on all sides with gold. Inside the chest were the golden pot holding manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the two tablets of the law. (When the temple was erected later, there was nothing in the ark but the tablets of the law—see 1Ki_8:9).

Verse 4 says that the golden censer was also in the Most Holy Place. The Greek word translated censer can mean either the incense altar (mentioned in Exo_30:6 as being in the Holy Place) or the censer with which the high priest carried the incense. The best explanation is the latter. The writer regarded the censer as belonging to the Most Holy Place because the high priest carried it in from the incense altar into the Holiest Place on the Day of Atonement.

[adamjedgar]

On 12/17/2021 at 8:18 AM, Michael37 said:

Hi @adamjedgar,

Do you have access to any commentaries? Here's something from the Believer's Bible Commentary that speaks to Hebrews 9.

The Holy Place contained three articles of furniture:

1. The table of showbread, on which were twelve cakes of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. These cakes were called “bread of the Presence” because they were set before the face or presence of God.
2. The golden lampstand, with seven arms reaching upward and holding oil-burning lamps.
3. The golden altar of incense, on which the holy incense was burned morning and evening.

Heb 9:3 Behind the second veil was the Holiest of All or the Holy of Holies. Here God manifested Himself in a bright shining cloud. It was the one spot on earth where He could be approached with the blood of atonement.
Heb 9:4 This second compartment of the original tabernacle contained the ark of the covenant, a large wooden chest overlaid on all sides with gold. Inside the chest were the golden pot holding manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the two tablets of the law. (When the temple was erected later, there was nothing in the ark but the tablets of the law—see 1Ki_8:9).

Verse 4 says that the golden censer was also in the Most Holy Place. The Greek word translated censer can mean either the incense altar (mentioned in Exo_30:6 as being in the Holy Place) or the censer with which the high priest carried the incense. The best explanation is the latter. The writer regarded the censer as belonging to the Most Holy Place because the high priest carried it in from the incense altar into the Holiest Place on the Day of Atonement.

Hi Michael,

unfortunately, you cannot interchange the tanslation of Golden Censor with Alter of incense and there is a good reason why...it does not resolve the problem!

Leviticus 16 2And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Placea behind the veil in front of the mercy seatb on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

A High Priest could only enter the MHP on the day of Atonement and the incense from the alter had to be burning continuously throughout the year. He had to ensure that the incense was placed on the fire before the Lord so that it covers the mercy seat above the Testimony...SO THAT HE WILL NOT DIE.

Notice in Leviticus 16:11-13 that the High Priest moves inside the Veil after he puts the fire in his censor

Leviticus 16:11When Aaron presents the bull for his sin offering and makes atonement for himself and his household, he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering. 12Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil. 13He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony,d so that he will not die.

 

Ok so here is the dilemma, either:

1. centuries of accepted imagery showing the location of the Alter of Incense in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle are wrong or,

2. If the Alter was in fact in the MHP, then how on earth did Aaron manage to get fire for his golden censor from the alter of incense, when he would have needed to physically enter the MHP to do this...in addition to priests needing to regularly attend to the Alter throughout any given week to "stoke" the burning coals on it! How could Aaron possibly do this without dying from the glory of God shining from the mercy seat above the Testimony contained inside the Ark?

This is very problematic, i cannot see how its possible for the above two issues to even be reconciled without being circular in that neither resolves the dilemma without producing a new one!

 

If we say option 1 above is correct, then why is the alter not in the HP in Hebrews 9? (its very clearly either not mentioned at all, or placed in the MHP (which i believe is the incorrect translation of golden censor btw)

 

If we say option 2 above that Hebrews 9 is correct, then two problems arise:

1.  conflicts with the model recorded by moses, and

2. cannot possibly resolve Leviticus 16:11-13 in that the priests had to maintain the fire throughout the entire year on a weekly basis...this would require entering the MHP almost daily to stoke the fire on it thus exposing themselves to the glory of God which would kill them outside of the Day of Atonement ritual!

 

I have a theory that i believe resolves the problem...

 

Why did the writer of Hebrews (which was not the apostle Paul btw although he may have had input into its writing) seem to illustrate the heavenly sanctuary wrongly compared with the Exodus and Leviticus models?

 

Here is the key to my theory...

Matthew 27:50&51

50When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. 51At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

 

My theory is, once Jesus died, the veil that separates us from the father on the throne (the mercy seat illustrated by the earthly type...ie the Ark of the covenant), was now removed...we could now go boldy before the throne of the father as redeemed persons and receive Gods mercy.

 

If you recall what happened to Aarons 2 sons (nadab and abihu) when they presented strange fire before the Lord? They got drunk and went "boldly" before the throne and were immediately struck down dying where they stood. The Lord showed no mercy to these men because they were not righteous in his sight nor had any atonement been made for their sins prior to entering into his presence. Theres was an act of disobedience and in this case this rule for priests entering MHP was also for their own protection i think...

3Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said:

‘To those who come near Me

I will show My holiness,

and in the sight of all the people

I will reveal My glory.’ ”

 

The priests were not even allowed to touch their bodies when they removed them from the tabernacle...they were carried out only by their clothing! 

 

Unlike Nadab and Abihu on the other hand, after Jesus gave his life for us on the cross, those who "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" now clothed in the righteousness of Christ and may now present ourselves boldly before the throne...

Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

the veil that separates us from the glory of God is no longer needed! The tabernacle described in Hebrews is of the heavenly antitype ( from which the earthly is a copy). When the curtain in the earthly was ripped in two, that symoblises the redemption of mankind back to God in that sin no more separates us from the father. (i might have to refine the wording here but the idea i am sure my basic theory here is close to the mark)

 

 

Edited December 18, 2021 by adamjedgar

[Michael37]

2 hours ago, adamjedgar said:

Hi Michael,

unfortunately, you cannot interchange the tanslation of Golden Censor with Alter of incense and there is a good reason why...it does not resolve the problem!

Leviticus 16 2And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Placea behind the veil in front of the mercy seatb on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

A High Priest could only enter the MHP on the day of Atonement and the incense from the alter had to be burning continuously throughout the year. He had to ensure that the incense was placed on the fire before the Lord so that it covers the mercy seat above the Testimony...SO THAT HE WILL NOT DIE.

Notice in Leviticus 16:11-13 that the High Priest moves inside the Veil after he puts the fire in his censor

Leviticus 16:11When Aaron presents the bull for his sin offering and makes atonement for himself and his household, he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering. 12Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil. 13He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony,d so that he will not die.

 

Ok so here is the dilemma, either:

1. centuries of accepted imagery showing the location of the Alter of Incense in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle are wrong or,

2. If the Alter was in fact in the MHP, then how on earth did Aaron manage to get fire for his golden censor from the alter of incense, when he would have needed to physically enter the MHP to do this...in addition to priests needing to regularly attend to the Alter throughout any given week to "stoke" the burning coals on it! How could Aaron possibly do this without dying from the glory of God shining from the mercy seat above the Testimony contained inside the Ark?

This is very problematic, i cannot see how its possible for the above two issues to even be reconciled without being circular in that neither resolves the dilemma without producing a new one!

 

If we say option 1 above is correct, then why is the alter not in the HP in Hebrews 9? (its very clearly either not mentioned at all, or placed in the MHP (which i believe is the incorrect translation of golden censor btw)

 

If we say option 2 above that Hebrews 9 is correct, then two problems arise:

1.  conflicts with the model recorded by moses, and

2. cannot possibly resolve Leviticus 16:11-13 in that the priests had to maintain the fire throughout the entire year on a weekly basis...this would require entering the MHP almost daily to stoke the fire on it thus exposing themselves to the glory of God which would kill them outside of the Day of Atonement ritual!

 

I have a theory that i believe resolves the problem...

 

Why did the writer of Hebrews (which was not the apostle Paul btw although he may have had input into its writing) seem to illustrate the heavenly sanctuary wrongly compared with the Exodus and Leviticus models?

 

Here is the key to my theory...

Matthew 27:50&51

50When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. 51At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

 

My theory is, once Jesus died, the veil that separates us from the father on the throne (the mercy seat illustrated by the earthly type...ie the Ark of the covenant), was now removed...we could now go boldy before the throne of the father as redeemed persons and receive Gods mercy.

 

If you recall what happened to Aarons 2 sons (nadab and abihu) when they presented strange fire before the Lord? They got drunk and went "boldly" before the throne and were immediately struck down dying where they stood. The Lord showed no mercy to these men because they were not righteous in his sight nor had any atonement been made for their sins prior to entering into his presence. Theres was an act of disobedience and in this case this rule for priests entering MHP was also for their own protection i think...

3Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said:

‘To those who come near Me

I will show My holiness,

and in the sight of all the people

I will reveal My glory.’ ”

 

The priests were not even allowed to touch their bodies when they removed them from the tabernacle...they were carried out only by their clothing! 

 

Unlike Nadab and Abihu on the other hand, after Jesus gave his life for us on the cross, those who "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" now clothed in the righteousness of Christ and may now present ourselves boldly before the throne...

Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

the veil that separates us from the glory of God is no longer needed! The tabernacle described in Hebrews is of the heavenly antitype ( from which the earthly is a copy). When the curtain in the earthly was ripped in two, that symoblises the redemption of mankind back to God in that sin no more separates us from the father. (i might have to refine the wording here but the idea i am sure my basic theory here is close to the mark)

Your comments are interesting and helpful, @adamjedgar,

In the passages below, on the Day of Atonement the censer of burning coals and sweet incense beaten fine are taken into the Most Holy Place. This speaks of both the perfect preparation and pleasing perfume of Christ's prayers and propitiation.

Lev 16:11-13  "And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself.  (12)  Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil.  (13)  And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die.

Heb 9:1-10  Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary.  (2)  For a tabernacle was prepared:

(1) the first part, in which was

• the lampstand,
• the table, and
• the showbread,

which is called the sanctuary;  (3)  and

(2) behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All,  (4)  which had

• the golden censer and
• the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were

1. the golden pot that had the manna,
2. Aaron's rod that budded, and
3. the tablets of the covenant;  
4. (5)  and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.

Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.  (6)  Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.  (7)  But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance;  (8)  the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.  (9)  It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—  (10)  concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

[adamjedgar]

So the question remains...if in the Old Testament Sanctuary, according to some theories on this, the Alter of Incense was in fact in the MHP, how then did the priests access it to keep it "stoked" without being killed by the glory of God?

They were only allowed into MHP one day per year on day of Atonement!

Edited December 18, 2021 by adamjedgar

[Michael37]

30 minutes ago, adamjedgar said:

So the question remains...if in the Old Testament Sanctuary, according to some theories on this, the Alter of Incense was in fact in the MHP, how then did the priests access it to keep it "stoked" without being killed by the glory of God?

They were only allowed into MHP one day per year on day of Atonement!

The altar remained outside the Most Holy Place, but as the Scripture describes in Lev 16:11-13, a censer of burning coals from it, and finely beaten incense from it were taken "through the veil" into the Most Holy Place, and when the two were put together the sweet incense formed a cloud to cover the mercy seat, "lest the High Priest die."

It's all there in the Scripture I referenced. The altar is in the Holy Place, burning coals and sweet incense from it are taken by the High Priest through to the Most Holy Place . . . to intercede and mediate with the sacrifice of atonement made with the shedding of blood. Hallelujah! What a glorious picture of the intercession and mediation of Christ in the offering of Himself as the sacrifice of atonement for our sins.

Lev 16:11-13  "And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself.  (12)  Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil.  (13)  And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die.

[adamjedgar]

yes but the writer of the book of Hebrews, and this is also clearly the view of many translations (with the exception of the KJV), is that the Alter of Incense is in the MHP!

So either the writer of the book of hebrews is just plain wrong or, something else is going on here...and that is my point and reasoning behind my theory.

Edited December 18, 2021 by adamjedgar

[Michael37]

15 hours ago, adamjedgar said:

yes but the writer of the book of Hebrews, and this is also clearly the view of many translations (with the exception of the KJV), is that the Alter of Incense is in the MHP!

So either the writer of the book of hebrews is just plain wrong or, something else is going on here...and that is my point and reasoning behind my theory.

Thanks for discussing this topic. I have invested in some excellent resources to study the Tabernacle so I am enjoying the opportunity to share what I have studied.

The translations that substitute "altar" for "censer" are in error. Factor in Lev 16:12 and this is the logical conclusion. Some translations of the Bible show a lack of scholasticism. The writer of Hebrews used the Greek word "thumiastērion" in such a context that it is obvious censer is the intended meaning of the word and not altar.

Strongs G2369
θυμιαστήριον
thumiastērion
thoo-mee-as-tay'-ree-on
From a derivative of G2370; a place of fumigation, that is, the altar of incense (in the Temple): - censer.
Total KJV occurrences: 1 word 

The only verses in Hebrews that have the word "ALTAR" in them are these two:

 Heb 7:13  For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
Heb 13:10  We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

[adamjedgar]

59 minutes ago, Michael37 said:

Thanks for discussing this topic. I have invested in some excellent resources to study the Tabernacle so I am enjoying the opportunity to share what I have studied.

The translations that substitute "altar" for "censer" are in error. Factor in Lev 16:12 and this is the logical conclusion. Some translations of the Bible show a lack of scholasticism. The writer of Hebrews used the Greek word "thumiastērion" in such a context that it is obvious censer is the intended meaning of the word and not altar.

Strongs G2369
θυμιαστήριον
thumiastērion
thoo-mee-as-tay'-ree-on
From a derivative of G2370; a place of fumigation, that is, the altar of incense (in the Temple): - censer.
Total KJV occurrences: 1 word 

The only verses in Hebrews that have the word "ALTAR" in them are these two:

 Heb 7:13  For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
Heb 13:10  We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

I agree 100% with this Michael...and yet, if you look at the following and note what most translators have done on this its pretty clear there is a big scholarly issue

 

Recall Hebrews 9:3 in order to provide the location within the Sanctuary the writer is now describing...

3Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,

 

Now take a look at the list below of translations for Hebrews 9:4 (exhaustive list of modern translations) and count how many state Alter of Incense vs Censor!

I count as follows;

Alter of Incense = 19

Censor = 9

I note that of the 9, two are really the same bible translation (ie KJV and NKJV). However, I am of the belief that the KJV has the correct translation on this. Although, in the context of the mention of this in Revelation (ch 4, ch 7, ch 22:3&4), I actually do not think the translational differences even matter. Revelation is illustrating that the curtain/veil is now gone, we are no longer separated from the throne by sin, and thanks to the cloak of Jesus righteousness now wrapped around us, we may all come boldly before the throne!

Hebrews 9:4

New International Version
which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

New Living Translation
In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

English Standard Version
having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.

Berean Study Bible
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Berean Literal Bible
having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, having been covered around in every part with gold, in which was the golden pot having the manna, and the staff of Aaron having budded, and the tablets of the covenant.

King James Bible
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

New King James Version
which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;

New American Standard Bible
having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, Aaron’s staff which budded, and the tablets of the covenant;

NASB 1995
having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant;

NASB 1977
having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant.

Amplified Bible
having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered entirely with gold. This contained a golden jar which held the manna, and the rod of Aaron that sprouted, and the [two stone] tablets of the covenant [inscribed with the Ten Commandments];

Christian Standard Bible
It had the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It contained the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which there was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.

American Standard Version
having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And there was in it the golden place of incense and The Ark of the Covenant, all overlaid with gold, and it had a pot of gold in which was manna and the Rod of Aaron which budded, and The Tablets of The Covenant.

Contemporary English Version
The gold altar for burning incense was in this holy place. The gold-covered sacred chest was also there, and inside it were three things. First, there was a gold jar filled with manna. Then there was Aaron's walking stick that sprouted. Finally, there were the flat stones with the Ten Commandments written on them.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Having a golden censer, and the ark of the testament covered about on every part with gold, in which was a golden pot that had manna, and the rod of Aaron, that had blossomed, and the tables of the testament.

English Revised Version
having a golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was a golden pot holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

Good News Translation
In it were the gold altar for the burning of incense and the Covenant Box all covered with gold and containing the gold jar with the manna in it, Aaron's stick that had sprouted leaves, and the two stone tablets with the commandments written on them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It contained the gold incense burner and the ark of the Lord's promise. The ark was completely covered with gold. In the ark were the gold jar filled with manna, Aaron's staff that had blossomed, and the tablets on which the promise was written.

International Standard Version
which had the gold altar for incense and the Ark of the Covenant completely covered with gold. In it were the gold jar holding the manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the Tablets of the Covenant.

Literal Standard Version
having a golden censer, and the Ark of the Covenant overlaid all over with gold, in which [is] the golden pot having the manna, and the rod of Aaron that budded, and the tablets of the covenant,

NET Bible
It contained the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered entirely with gold. In this ark were the golden urn containing the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

New Heart English Bible
having a golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;

Weymouth New Testament
This had a censer of gold, and the ark of the Covenant lined with gold and completely covered with gold, and in it were a gold vase which held the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded and the tables of the Covenant.

World English Bible
having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;

Young's Literal Translation
having a golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid all round about with gold, in which is the golden pot having the manna, and the rod of Aaron that budded, and the tables of the covenant,

 

Edited December 19, 2021 by adamjedgar