The altar of incense was outside the Holy of Holies but in some sense Hebrews seems to group it along with those things inside the Holy of Holies. What does this grouping mean? Why is the altar of incense grouped with the Holy of Holies?
Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron 's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. (ESV, Hebrews 9:3-4)