Exodus 30:22-38

The Anointing Oil

22 The Lord spoke to Moses:

23 "Take for yourself the finest spices: 12 and a half pounds^[a] of liquid myrrh, half as much (six and a quarter pounds^[b]) of fragrant cinnamon, six and a quarter pounds^[c] of fragrant cane,

24 12 and a half pounds^[d] of cassia (by the sanctuary shekel), and one gallon^[e] of olive oil.

25 Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a scented blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be holy anointing oil.

26 "With it you are to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony,

27 the table with all its utensils, the lampstand with its utensils, the altar of incense,

28 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand.

29 Consecrate them and they will be especially holy. Whatever touches them will be consecrated.^[f]

30 Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to serve Me as priests.

31 "Tell the Israelites: This will be My holy anointing oil throughout your generations.

32 It must not be used for [ordinary] anointing on a person's body, and you must not make anything like it using its formula. It is holy, and it must be holy to you.

33 Anyone who blends something like it or puts some of it on an unauthorized person must be cut off from his people."

The Sacred Incense

34 The Lord said to Moses: "Take fragrant spices: stacte, onycha, and galbanum; the spices and pure frankincense are to be in equal measures.

35 Prepare expertly blended incense from these; it is to be seasoned with salt, pure and holy.

36 Grind some of it into a fine powder and put some in front of the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It must be especially holy to you.

37 As for the incense you are making, you must not make [any] for yourselves using its formula. It is to be regarded by you as sacred to the Lord.

38 Anyone who makes something like it to smell its fragrance must be cut off from his people."

Exodus 30:22-38 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 30

This chapter treats of the altar of incense, its form and use, Ex 30:1-10 of the ransom of the Israelites, with the half shekel when numbered, Ex 30:11-16 of the laver for the priests to wash their hands and feet at before service, Ex 30:17-21 of the anointing oil, the ingredients of it, and what was to be done with it, Ex 30:22-33, and of the perfume, the composition and use of it, Ex 30:34-38.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit 500 (shekels)
• [b]. Lit 250 (shekels)
• [c]. Lit 250 (shekels)
• [d]. Lit 500 (shekels)
• [e]. Lit a hin
• [f]. Nm 4:19; Ezk 44:19