← H6987 H6989 →

קְטוֹרָה

𐤒𐤈𐤅𐤓𐤄

qᵉṭôwrâh

H6988 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קטר to make smoke, offer (incense), burn aromatics

Definition

A preparation of fragrant substances, especially aromatic resins and spices, used for burning as incense in ritual contexts; denotes incense offered in burnt form, most frequently as part of the sacrificial and worship practices in the Tabernacle and Temple. The term can refer to the physical substance (incense composition) or the act/result of its burning (aromatic smoke), depending on context.

Semantic Range

incense (as burnt in ritual), aromatic smoke offering, the incense mixture for Temple/Tabernacle worship, fragrant offering

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root קטר ('to make smoke, burn incense, cause to rise in smoke'). 'קְטוֹרָה' is a feminine noun formation, denoting the product of the root's activity, i.e., what is caused to smoke or what rises as smoke, specifically in ritualized burning of incense compounds.

Historical & Contextual Notes

'קְטוֹרָה' appears almost exclusively in priestly and cultic contexts, most often denoting the specific mixture of aromatic substances prescribed for use on the altar of incense (e.g., Exodus 30:34–36). Its use is heavily associated with the ritual life of the Tabernacle and the Jerusalem Temple. Unlike the generic word for 'spice' or 'perfume' (e.g., בֶּשֶׂם, שֶׂרֵף), קְטוֹרָה is always tied to burning and sacrificial ritual. It is distinct from עֹלָה, the term for burnt (animal) offerings, and from מִנְחָה, grain offerings; קְטוֹרָה specifically refers to incense. In post-biblical Hebrew, the term evolved to denote incense more generally, while in the biblical period its meaning is largely confined to Israelite priestly ritual. Standard English translations as 'incense' are accurate, but the term conveys additional ritual specificity lost in English. In late biblical and post-exilic periods, incense use spread socioculturally, but the biblical קְטוֹרָה retains its primary ritual connotation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from קָטַר; perfume; incense.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

קטר (q-ṭ-r) — make smoke, burn aromatics, offer in smoke

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4729 מִקְטָר incense-hearth of
H4730 מִקְטֶרֶת his incense-burning vessel
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
H6988-01 קְטוֹרָה֙ qetorah HNcfsa incense smoke-offering incense 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6988-01 Deuteronomy 33:10 קְטוֹרָה֙ qetorah HNcfsa incense smoke-offering incense
← H6987 Hebrew Lexicon H6989 →