Original Word: קָטַר
Part of Speech: verb; noun masculine; noun feminine
Transliteration: qatar
Pronunciation: kah-TAR
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-tar')
KJV: burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice)
NASB: burn incense, burned incense, offer it up in smoke, burn, offer up in smoke, offer them up in smoke, burned
Word Origin: [a primitive root (identical with H7000 (קָטַר - enclosed) through the idea of fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants)]

1. to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

burn incense, sacrifice upon, altar for incense, kindle, offer incense, a sacrifice

A primitive root (identical with qatar through the idea of fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants); to smoke, i.e. Turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) -- burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice).

see HEBREW qatar

Word Origin
denominative verb from qetoreth
Definition
to make sacrifices smoke
NASB Translation
burn (9), burn incense (17), burn sacrifices (3), burned (5), burned incense (17), burned sacrifices (3), burning incense (4), burning sacrifices (5), burns incense (1), burnt incense (1), offer (4), offer it up in smoke (12), offer them up in smoke (6), offer up in smoke (7), offer sacrifices (2), offered (3), offered it up in smoke (2), offered them up in smoke (4), offered up in smoke (2), offered incense (1), offered sacrifices (1), offered* (1), offering up in smoke (1), offering up sacrifices (1), perfumed (1), smoke (5), surely burn (1).

[קָטַר]₁₁₅ verb denominative Pi`el Hiph`il make sacrifices smoke, send them up in smoke (properly produce קְטֹרֶת, see Sta^{ZAW vi (1886), 298 f.}); —

Pi`el₄₂ Perfect3masculine plural קִטְּרוּ Jeremiah 19:13 +, קִטַּרְתֶּם Jeremiah 44:21,23; Imperfect3masculine singular יְקַטֵּר Habakkuk 1:16 +; 3 masculine plural יְקַטֵּר֑וּן Hosea 11:2, etc.; Infinitive absolute קַטֵּר 1 Samuel 2:16 +; construct Jeremiah 11:13 +, Participle plural מְקַטְּרִים Isaiah 65:3 +, etc.; — make sacrifices smoke, offer them by burning : to ׳י, 1 Samuel 2:16 (where probably read יְקַטְּרוּן [and so 1 Samuel 2:15] Sta^{l.c. 299}): elsewhere to other gods or in illegal worship, Jeremiah 44:23; with accusative קִטֵּר (but see this, below) Jeremiah 44:21 (here [and al. in some other passages] of incense), תּוֺדָה Amos 4:5; place is usually with ב, e.g. כַּבָּמוֺת 2 Kings 17:11; 2 Kings 23:5; עוֺד הָעָם מְוַבְּחִים וּמְקַטְּרִים בַּבָּמוֺת 1 Kings 22:44; 2 Kings 12:4; 2 Kings 14:4; 2 Kings 15:4,35 (R), compare 2 Kings 16:4 2Chronicles 28:4 (compare RS^{Sem.i. 471; 2nd ed. 490}); אֲשֶׁר ׳הַבּ קִטְּרוּ שָׁמָּה 2 Kings 23:8; with עַל e.g. על הגבעות Hosea 4:13, על גג(ו)ת Jeremiah 19:13; Jeremiah 32:29, על הלבנים Isaiah 65:3, על ההרים Isaiah 65:7; with לְ of deity, Hosea 11:2; Jeremiah 1:16 14t. Jeremiah (+Jeremiah 19:13; Jeremiah 32:29 above), Habakkuk 1:16; 2 Kings 22:17; 2 Kings 23:5; 2Chronicles 25:14; 28:25; 34:25 Qr (>Kt

Hiph`il), to the brazen serpent 2 Kings 18:4.

Pu`al Participle ׳מְקֻטֶּרֶת מֹר וגו Songs 3:6 fumigated with myrrh, etc. (Aq ᵑ9 Schlottm מִקְּטֹרֶת).

Hiph`ilⁿ Perfect3masculine singular הִקְטִיר Leviticus 9:10 +; 2 masculine singular הִקְטַרְתָּ Exodus 29:13,18,25, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יַקְטִיר Leviticus 4:26; Leviticus 16:25; Exodus 40:27 +, etc.: Imperative masculine singular הַקְטֵר 2 Kings 16:15; Infinitive absolute הַקְטֵיר 1 Kings 9:25; construct לְהַקְטִיר Exodus 30:20 +; Participle מַקְטִיר Jeremiah 33:18 +, etc.

1 make sacrifices smoke, usually

a. in worship of ׳י: absolute 1 Kings 12:33; 1 Kings 13:1; 2Chronicles 29:11; with accusative חלב Leviticus 17:6; Numbers 18:17; 1 Samuel 2:15,16, עלת 2 Kings 16:13,15; 2Chronicles 13:11, אִשֶּׁה Exodus 30:20; Leviticus 2:11; Numbers 18:17, מנחה Jeremiah 33:18; ראֹשׁ, etc., Leviticus 8:20 אַזְכָּרָה Leviticus 2:16, חלבי השׁלמים Leviticus 6:5; קטרת 1 Samuel 2:28; on 1 Kings 9:25 see Klo Benz; place is על מזבח Leviticus 4:10 5t., הַמִוְבֵּ֫חָה Exodus 29:13,18,25 23t. Leviticus, Numbers 5:26 (all P); with הַמִּזְבֵּחַ (accusative) Leviticus 6:8; בַּבָּמוֺת 1 Kings 3:3; בגיא בן הִנֹּם2Chronicles 28:3.

b. less often in worship of other gods, לאלהין (gods of Solomon's wives) 1 Kings 11:8, לאלהיו (of Moab) Jeremiah 48:35, להם (Baalim) Hosea 2:15; — 2Chronicles 34:25 read Qr

Qal. 2. cause incense to smoke, offer incense absolute 2 Chron 2:5; 2 Chronicles 26:18 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 26:19; with עַל of altar 2 Chronicles 26:16; Exodus 30:7; Exodus 40:27; with accusative יַקְטִירֶנָּה Exodus 30:7,8, קטרת סמים Exodus 30:7; Exodus 40:27; 2Chron 2:3, קטרת תמיד Exodus 30:8, קטרת ׳הק Numbers 17:5; 2Chronicles 29:7.

3 make smoke upon (על) both altars (of burnt-offering and of incense) 1 Chronicles 6:34, compare also 1 Chronicles 23:13.

Hoph`al be made to smoke as a sacrifice: Imperfect3feminine singular תָּקְטָ֑ר Leviticus 6:15, Participle מֻקְטָר Malachi 1:11 (Ew Ke and others [ Ges^{§ 121b}]; We Now read לִשְׁמִי מִנְחָה ׳מ; but see מֻקְטָר).

מֻקְטָר noun masculine incense; — absolute ׳מ Malachi 1:11 (Thes Hi Marti^Kau GASm Kö^{iii, § 307}).

[מְקַטֵּרָה] noun feminine incense-alter; — plural absolute מְקַטְּרוֺת2Chronicles 30:14.

Root Idea and Semantic Range

קָטַר portrays the rising of smoke from something set aflame. By extension it denotes the cultic act of burning animal parts, grain, or aromatic resins so that their fragrant vapor “ascends” toward God. The imagery of vertical movement supports its frequent pairing with phrases like “a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”

Canonical Distribution

Roughly sixty percent of the occurrences lie in the Pentateuch, the remainder in the Former and Latter Prophets, with three in the Writings. The term accompanies almost every major discussion of Israel’s sacrificial system (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers), reappears in the histories when kings or priests either guard or profane worship, and forms a recurrent theme in prophetic indictments of idolatry.

Cultic and Liturgical Use

1. Daily incense ministry: “Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it every morning… and also when he lights the lamps at twilight” (Exodus 30:7-8).
2. Whole burnt offerings: In Leviticus chapters 1–7 the priests “burn” (qatar) the fatty portions so that smoke ascends as “an aroma pleasing to the LORD” (Leviticus 1:9; 3:5; 4:31).
3. High-holy-day service: On the Day of Atonement the high priest brings a censer “full of burning coals… with two handfuls of finely ground incense” so that the cloud covers the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:12-13).
4. Censers in intercession: When plague struck the camp, Aaron “ran into the midst of the assembly… and made atonement” by burning incense (Numbers 16:46-48).

Priestly Mediation

The action is almost always priestly. When laypersons or unrighteous kings intruded, judgment followed. Nadab and Abihu perished for offering “unauthorized fire” (Leviticus 10:1-2). King Uzziah “entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense… but the LORD struck him with leprosy” (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). The consistent pattern upholds God’s holiness and the necessity of ordained mediation.

Pleasant Aroma and Divine Pleasure

Because קָטַר often culminates in the phrase “pleasing aroma,” it embodies God’s gracious acceptance of a substitute life. Genesis 8:21 provides the paradigm: “When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, ‘Never again will I curse the ground…’” Every subsequent occurrence in Leviticus and Numbers taps that covenantal memory: blood is shed, smoke rises, wrath is turned aside, and fellowship is restored.

Illicit Incense and Idolatry

The prophets seize on the same verb to expose covenant violation. Judah “burned incense on the high places, on the rooftops, and under every spreading tree” (Jeremiah 19:4). Hosea laments, “They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills” (Hosea 4:13). The histories record systematic reform: Josiah “did away with the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense to Baal, to the sun and moon and constellations” (2 Kings 23:5; cf. 2 Kings 23:8, 15, 20). Thus the same act—fragrant smoke ascending—can signify either covenant loyalty or betrayal depending on the object of worship.

Prophetic Reproof and Promise

Isaiah 1:13 equates hypocritical incense with iniquity: “Stop bringing worthless offerings; your incense is detestable to Me.” Yet the prophets also project a purified future. Malachi 1:11 foresees a global priesthood: “In every place incense and pure offerings will be presented to My name,” anticipating redeemed nations whose worship pleases God.

Typological and Christological Significance

The ascending smoke foreshadows the mediatorial work of Jesus Christ. Just as incense obscured the mercy seat from direct sight, Christ’s intercession shields believers from judgment (Hebrews 7:25). Paul adopts the fragrance motif: “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). Believers, united to Him, become “the aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15), continuing the ministry of קָטַר in spiritual rather than ceremonial form.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Worship must be God-prescribed, not self-invented.
• Intercessory prayer parallels the priestly censers; it ascends continually (Revelation 5:8).
• Holiness of life protects ministry from Nadab-and-Abihu tragedy.
• Mission compels the Church toward Malachi’s vision—pure worship among all nations.

Key References

Exodus 30:7-8; Leviticus 1:9; 3:5; 10:1-2; 16:12-13; Numbers 16:46-48; 2 Kings 23:5-20; 2 Chronicles 26:16-21; Isaiah 1:13; Jeremiah 19:4; Hosea 4:13; Malachi 1:11.

הִקְטִ֑ירוּ הִקְטִ֖יר הַֽמְקַטְּרִ֣ים הַֽמְקַטְּרוֹת֙ הַמַּקְטִרִ֣ים הַקְטֵ֣ר הַקִּטֵּ֗ר המקטרות המקטרים הקטיר הקטירו הקטר וְהִקְטִ֖יר וְהִקְטִ֣יר וְהִקְטִ֤יר וְהִקְטִ֥יר וְהִקְטִ֧יר וְהִקְטִ֨יר וְהִקְטִ֨ירוּ וְהִקְטִיר֥וֹ וְהִקְטִירָ֥ם וְהִקְטִירָם֙ וְהִקְטַרְתָּ֖ וְהִקְטַרְתָּ֤ וְהִקְטַרְתָּ֥ וְהַקְטֵ֣יר וְקַטֵּ֣ר וְקַטֵּ֤ר וִֽיקַטֵּ֖ר וַֽיְקַטְּרוּ֙ וַֽיְקַטְּרוּ֙ וַיְקַטְּרוּ־ וַיְקַטֵּ֛ר וַיְקַטֵּ֤ר וַיַּקְטֵ֖ר וַיַּקְטֵ֤ר וַיַּקְטֵ֥ר וַיַּקְטֵר֩ וּֽמְקַטְּרִ֖ים וּמַקְטִ֖יר וּמַקְטִ֥יר וּמַקְטִֽיר׃ וּמַקְטִרִ֣ים וּמַקְטִרִֽים׃ והקטיר והקטירו והקטירם והקטרת ויקטר ויקטרו ויקטרו־ ומקטיר ומקטיר׃ ומקטרים ומקטרים׃ וקטר יְקַטֵּ֑רוּ יְקַטֵּ֔רוּ יְקַטֵּֽר׃ יְקַטֵּרֽוּן׃ יַקְטִ֣יר יַקְטִ֥יר יַקְטִיר֤וּן יַקְטִירֶ֑נָּה יַקְטִירֶֽנָּה׃ יַקְטִר֣וּן יקטיר יקטירון יקטירנה יקטירנה׃ יקטר׃ יקטרו יקטרון יקטרון׃ לְהַקְטִ֑יר לְהַקְטִ֖יר לְהַקְטִ֣יר לְהַקְטִ֥יר לְהַקְטִֽיר׃ לְהַקְטִיר֙ לְהַקְטִיר֩ לְקַטֵּ֔ר לְקַטֵּ֖ר לְקַטֵּ֞ר לְקַטֵּ֥ר לְקַטֵּ֨ר לְקַטֵּר֙ להקטיר להקטיר׃ לקטר מְקַטְּר֤וֹת מְקַטְּרִ֖ים מְקַטְּרִ֣ים מְקַטְּרִים֙ מְקֻטֶּ֤רֶת מַקְטִיר֥וֹת מַקְטִירִ֨ים מֻקְטָ֥ר מקטירות מקטירים מקטר מקטרות מקטרים מקטרת קִטְּר֜וּ קִטְּר֨וּ קִטְּרוּ֙ קִטְּרוּ־ קִטַּרְתֶּ֜ם קַטֵּ֖ר קַטֵּ֨ר קטר קטרו קטרו־ קטרתם תַּקְטִ֔יר תַּקְטִ֣יר תַּקְטִֽירוּ׃ תַקְטִ֧ירוּ תָּקְטָֽר׃ תקטיר תקטירו תקטירו׃ תקטר׃ hakkitTer hakTer ham·maq·ṭi·rîm ham·qaṭ·ṭə·rîm ham·qaṭ·ṭə·rō·wṯ hamkatteRim hamkatterOt hammaktiRim hammaqṭirîm hamqaṭṭərîm hamqaṭṭərōwṯ haq·qiṭ·ṭêr haq·ṭêr haqqiṭṭêr haqṭêr hikTir hikTiru hiq·ṭî·rū hiq·ṭîr hiqṭîr hiqṭîrū katTer kittarTem kitteru lə·haq·ṭîr lə·qaṭ·ṭêr lehakTir ləhaqṭîr lekatTer ləqaṭṭêr maktiRim maktiRot maq·ṭî·rîm maq·ṭî·rō·wṯ maqṭîrîm maqṭîrōwṯ mə·qaṭ·ṭə·rîm mə·qaṭ·ṭə·rō·wṯ mə·quṭ·ṭe·reṯ mekatteRim mekatteRot mekutTeret məqaṭṭərîm məqaṭṭərōwṯ məquṭṭereṯ mukTar muq·ṭār muqṭār qaṭ·ṭêr qaṭṭêr qiṭ·ṭar·tem qiṭ·ṭə·rū qiṭ·ṭə·rū- qiṭṭartem qiṭṭərū qiṭṭərū- tā·qə·ṭār takeTar takTir takTiru taq·ṭî·rū ṯaq·ṭî·rū taq·ṭîr tāqəṭār taqṭîr taqṭîrū ṯaqṭîrū ū·maq·ṭi·rîm ū·maq·ṭîr ū·mə·qaṭ·ṭə·rîm umakTir umaktiRim ūmaqṭîr ūmaqṭirîm umekatteRim ūməqaṭṭərîm vaiyakTer vaykatTer vaykatteru vehakTeir vehiktarTa vehikTir vehiktiRam vehiktiRo vehikTiru vekatTer vikatTer way·qaṭ·ṭə·rū way·qaṭ·ṭə·rū- way·qaṭ·ṭêr way·yaq·ṭêr wayqaṭṭêr wayqaṭṭərū wayqaṭṭərū- wayyaqṭêr wə·haq·ṭêr wə·hiq·ṭar·tā wə·hiq·ṭî·rām wə·hiq·ṭî·rōw wə·hiq·ṭî·rū wə·hiq·ṭîr wə·qaṭ·ṭêr wəhaqṭêr wəhiqṭartā wəhiqṭîr wəhiqṭîrām wəhiqṭîrōw wəhiqṭîrū wəqaṭṭêr wî·qaṭ·ṭêr wîqaṭṭêr yakTir yaktiRennah yaktiRun yaq·ṭî·ren·nāh yaq·ṭi·rūn yaq·ṭî·rūn yaq·ṭîr yaqṭîr yaqṭîrennāh yaqṭirūn yaqṭîrūn yə·qaṭ·ṭê·rū yə·qaṭ·ṭê·rūn yə·qaṭ·ṭêr yekatTer yekatTeru yekatteRun yəqaṭṭêr yəqaṭṭêrū yəqaṭṭêrūnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts