Censer

In Leviticus 16, Aaron carries a censer filled with coals from the altar and finely ground incense behind the veil. He puts the incense on the fire so that its smoke covers the mercy seat, as part of the prescribed rites that prevent his death.

In Numbers 16, fire kills two hundred fifty men offering incense. Eleazar then takes their bronze censers, which are beaten into plates to cover the altar. The covering reminds Israel that people outside Aaron’s line may not approach to burn incense.