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קְטֹרֶת

𐤒𐤈𐤓𐤕

qᵉṭôreth

H7004 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קטר to cause to smoke, to make a vapor, to emit fragrance by burning

Definition

A mixture of aromatic substances, typically in powdered or granulated form, that is burned to produce a fragrant smoke; most often refers to the prescribed incense used in ritual acts, especially in the tabernacle and temple, as well as more generally to aromatic perfumes or fragrances. Semantic range includes formal ritual incense, offerings of incense, fragrant smoke from burning spices, and sometimes general perfume.

Semantic Range

ritual incense, incense offering, fragrant smoke, perfume, aromatic substance for burning

Root / Etymology

From the root קטר (to produce smoke, to make a vapor or aroma by burning). The noun קְטֹרֶת specifically denotes the substance prepared for burning to give off a fragrant odor, particularly in ritual contexts. Its derivation points to the action of causing smoke or vapor, though the noun is more concretely understood as the incense compound.

Historical & Contextual Notes

קְטֹרֶת is primarily associated with ritual incense offerings in the religious life of the Israelites, particularly as set out in the priestly instructions for the tabernacle and temple (Exodus, Leviticus). The term designates not only the act of burning incense but also the specific mixture (notably, Exodus 30:34–38 details its composition and sacred status). The use of קְטֹרֶת marks significant moments of worship and atonement. Outside of formal ritual, it can generically refer to aromatics, but such usages are rare. Later Jewish and translation traditions sometimes use 'incense' or 'perfume,' but the biblical use should be understood in the context of Israelite sacrificial and worship practices rather than later religio-cultural associations. Distinct from other Hebrew words for scent or perfume (like בֶּשֶׂם), קְטֹרֶת is always linked to burning and ritual application. While post-exilic Persian and later Judean use continued incense offerings, the detailed, legally codified ritual of קְטֹרֶת is a particularly priestly and First/Second Temple phenomenon.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from קָטַר; a fumigation; (sweet) incense, perfume.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קטר (q-ṭ-r) — to cause to smoke, to make vapor, to emit fragrance by burning

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4729 מִקְטָר incense-hearth of
H4730 מִקְטֶרֶת his incense-burning vessel
H6988 קְטוֹרָה smoke-offering incense
H6989 קְטוּרָה Keturah
H6999 קָטַר the smoke-makers

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7004-03 קְטֹ֑רֶת qetoret HNcfsa incense fragrant smoking-compound 36
H7004-01 הַ/קְּטֹֽרֶת haqetoret HTd/Ncfsa of incense the incense-mixture 13
H7004-05 וּ/קְטֹ֣רֶת uqetoret HC/Ncfsc and incense and incense of 4
H7004-07 וְ/לִ/קְטֹ֖רֶת veliqetoret HC/R/Ncfsc and for incense and for incense-compound 3
H7004-04 וּ/קְטָרְתִּ֔/י uqetareti HC/Ncfsc/Sp1cs and my incense my incense-mixture 2
H7004-06 וְ/הַ/קְּטֹ֨רֶת֙ vehaqetoret HC/Td/Ncfsa the incense and the incense-compound 1
H7004-02 לִ/קְטֹ֔רֶת liqetoret HR/Ncfsa for incense for incense 1

Occurrences in Scripture

60 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7004-07 Exodus 25:6 וְ/לִ/קְטֹ֖רֶת veliqetoret HC/R/Ncfsc and for incense and for incense-compound
H7004-03 Exodus 30:1 קְטֹ֑רֶת qetoret HNcfsa incense fragrant smoking-compound
H7004-03 Exodus 30:7 קְטֹ֣רֶת qetoret HNcfsc incense fragrant smoking-compound
H7004-03 Exodus 30:8 קְטֹ֧רֶת qetoret HNcfsc incense fragrant smoking-compound
H7004-03 Exodus 30:9 קְטֹ֥רֶת qetoret HNcfsa incense fragrant smoking-compound
H7004-01 Exodus 30:27 הַ/קְּטֹֽרֶת haqetoret HTd/Ncfsa of incense the incense-mixture
H7004-03 Exodus 30:35 קְטֹ֔רֶת qetoret HNcfsa incense fragrant smoking-compound
H7004-06 Exodus 30:37 וְ/הַ/קְּטֹ֨רֶת֙ vehaqetoret HC/Td/Ncfsa the incense and the incense-compound
H7004-01 Exodus 31:8 הַ/קְּטֹֽרֶת haqetoret HTd/Ncfsa of incense the incense-mixture
H7004-03 Exodus 31:11 קְטֹ֥רֶת qetoret HNcfsc incense fragrant smoking-compound
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