מִקְטָר
𐤌𐤒𐤈𐤓
miqṭâr
H4729 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place or structure designed for burning incense; a surface or hearth on which aromatic substances are made to smolder or fume, often in the context of ritual or cultic practices. The term refers primarily to the physical apparatus or area where incense is offered, distinct from the incense itself. Its semantic range includes altar-like installations associated with fragrant smoke offerings.
Semantic Range
incense altar, incense hearth, place for burning incense, implement for fuming aromatic substances
Root / Etymology
From the root קטר (qṭr) meaning 'to produce smoke, to cause to ascend (as incense), burn aromatic substances.' Miqṭâr is a noun formation indicating an implement or locus connected with this root activity—the place or structure where qṭr happens.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מִקְטָר (miqṭâr) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in contexts pertaining to sanctuary or cultic rites involving incense. While often translated 'altar' or 'censer' in English, these renderings may obscure its distinctive focus on the act of fuming or burning incense rather than animal offerings. The term is thus not synonymous with מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbēaḥ, 'altar' for sacrifices) nor with מַחְתָּה (maḥtah, 'firepan, censer'), though all can appear in ritual contexts. In monarchic and post-exilic periods, especially in priestly or Deuteronomistic texts, המִקְטָר refers to the fixed installation or hearth intended for aromatic offerings, reflecting the integral role of non-sacrificial incense offerings within broader Israelite religious practice. English translations traditionally render this as 'altar of incense' or 'censer', but these may not fully convey the physical and functional distinctions recognized in ancient Israel. As the practice and apparatus of incense burning continued and adapted through periods of exile and post-exilic restoration, associated vocabulary sometimes shifted, but מִקְטָר remained tied closely to its root meaning of fuming or causing smoke to ascend in sacred space.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קָטַר; something to fume (incense) on i.e. a hearth place; to burn...upon.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קטר (q-ṭ-r) — to burn aromatic material, to produce smoke, to cause to ascend as incense
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4730 | מִקְטֶרֶת | his incense-burning vessel |
| H6988 | קְטוֹרָה | smoke-offering incense |
| H6989 | קְטוּרָה | Keturah |
| H6999 | קָטַר | the smoke-makers |
| H7000 | קָטַר | incense-burnings |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4729-01 |
מִקְטַ֣ר | miqetar | HNcmsc |
for burning | incense-hearth of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4729-01 |
Exodus 30:1 | מִקְטַ֣ר | miqetar | HNcmsc |
for burning | incense-hearth of |