Chapter Four: Historical Conclusions

Abstract

The burning of incense became gradually more and more important, until a climax was reached in post-exilic times, which is reflected in the ritual laws of the Torah by the creation of a new cult utensil never before used in the Israelite cult, viz. the incense altar. In Wellhausen's position there are two subjects which have to be distinguished, viz. 1. the date of the introduction of incense offerings in general in the Israelite cult, 2. the date of the appearance of the incense altar in the Israelite-Jewish cult. The archaeological finds of possibly Israelite incense altars from several sites and the Israelite tradition from Shiloh indicate that the cultic burning of incense was performed at local shrines by the local priesthood. Cult-political considerations in favor of the priesthood in Jerusalem have helped shaping the ritual laws in redactions from either late pre-exilic, exilic or early post-exilic times.Keywords: incense altars; Israelite-Jewish cult; Jerusalem; ritual laws