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"In makin Aeneas burn incense, Virgil follows the custom of his own time rather than historical verity." — Anthon, 1891

Ancient censer

"In makin Aeneas burn incense, Virgil follows the custom of his own time rather than historical verity."…

Illustration of King Clovis kneeling before Saint Remigius. Clovis' wife, Clotilde, kneels next to him. Remigius, dressed in robes, is baptizing Clovis. Several members of Clovis' court stand behind him. Monks and other clergy as well as two altar boys with incense stand around and behind Remigius.

Clovis, King of the Franks, is Baptized by Saint Remigius

Illustration of King Clovis kneeling before Saint Remigius. Clovis' wife, Clotilde, kneels next to him.…

Frankincense (Olibanum) is a gum resin obtained from Boswellia Carterii, of the order Burseraceae, and grows chiefly in Somali land. It occurs in roundish tears, about half an inch in diameter, colorless to reddish and covered with a white powder. its odor is balsamic, and it tastes bitter. It burns with a fragrant odor, and is used in incense. The illustration shows 1) the flower, 2) a cross section with petals removed, and 3) fruit.

Frankincense

Frankincense (Olibanum) is a gum resin obtained from Boswellia Carterii, of the order Burseraceae, and…

Illustration of the High Priest, most likely Aaron, in the Holy of Holies, holding the Ten Commandments. The Ark of the Covenant sits in the back.The Table of Showbread sits on the right with twelve loaves of bread on top. The Golden Candlestick is on the left with its seven lit flames. The Altar of Perfumes is in the center and incense is burning on it.

Inside the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle

Illustration of the High Priest, most likely Aaron, in the Holy of Holies, holding the Ten Commandments.…

“When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep. But they laughed at him. <p>After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, <i>’Talitha koum!’</i> (which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old).” —Mark 5:38-42, NIV</p> <p>Illustration of Jesus bringing Jairus' recently deceased, 12-year-old daughter back to life. Jesus is holding the hand of the girl as she raises her upper body from the bed. She wears a laurel crown and Jairus stands behind her bed. A woman kneels next to Jesus. Incense is burning. Two onlookers stand in the background.

The Raising of Jairus' Daughter - Jesus Brings a Young Girl Back to Life

“When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and…

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican." Luke 18:10 ASV <p>Illustration of a Pharisee and a publican, also referred to as a tax collector, praying in the temple. The Pharisee is dressed in full priestly costume and robes. He is standing behind the veil, within the room that holds the menorah and incense altar, and praying with his head up and chest out. The publican stands outside of the main room, head bowed, staff in hand.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, or the Tax Collector

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican." Luke 18:10…

"For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out." Matthew 25:3-8 ASV <p>Illustration of the five virgins with their lamps lit, following the bridegroom. In the background, the other five virgins knock in the dark at the closed door of the bridegroom. Flower girls and a youth with a torch walk in front of the bridegroom. Garlands are strung from the columns and ceiling.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins - Only Five Kept Their Lamps Alight

"For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: 4 but the wise took oil in their…

"And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it." Exodus 25:8-9 ASV <p>Illustration of an aerial view of the Tabernacle. It was built using specifications given to Moses directly by God. Several elements are clearly pictured, including the curtain enclosure, the temple, the brazen altar, and the brazen laver. Pillars of smoke rise from the brazen altar and from the altar of incense inside the temple. The tents of the Israelite camp surround the tabernacle. A few people and animals are pictured. There are palm trees in the foreground.

The Tabernacle - Aerial View with the Israelite Camp in the Background

"And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, the…

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." Luke 1:11-13 ASV <p>Illustration of Zacharias, the priest, on his knees in front of an angel in the temple. Zacharias has an incense burner in his hand and smoke is rising from the altar. The angel's right arm is raised. A menorah sits behind Zacharias. The Table of Showbread is on the right. The curtain, or veil, that leads to the Holy of Holies is behind the altar. Zacharias doesn't believe the angel's message and so is struck blind.

Zacharias is Told by an Angel that His Wife Will Have a Son, John the Baptist

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of altar of incense. And…