The Hebrew verb qatar means to burn or to cause smoke to rise — specifically in the context of burning incense or fat as an offering to God. It appears about 115 times in the Old Testament, deeply embedded in Israel's sacrificial worship.
Qatar describes the burning of offerings that ascend to God as a pleasing aroma (reyach nikhoach). In the tabernacle and temple, the priest burned incense on the golden altar every morning and evening (Exodus 30:7–8) — a perpetual act of worship before God. The rising smoke visibly symbolized prayer ascending to heaven (Psalm 141:2). The term applies both to legitimate Levitical worship and to forbidden idolatrous burning on high places, for which Israel was repeatedly condemned by the prophets (Hosea 2:13; Jeremiah 44:3). The theology of qatar reaches its fullest expression in Revelation 8:3–4, where incense offered by an angel mingles with the prayers of all God's people and ascends before the throne — the fulfillment of the Old Testament altar of incense. Jesus Christ is both our High Priest who offers prayer before the Father and the ultimate sacrifice whose aroma pleased God fully.