Exodus 30:17-38

17 The Lord said to Moses,

18 "Make a bronze basin with a bronze base. Place it between the Tent and the altar, and put water in it. ¹

19 Aaron and his sons are to use the water to wash their hands and feet

20 before they go into the Tent or approach the altar to offer the food offering. Then they will not be killed.

21 They must wash their hands and feet, so that they will not die. This is a rule which they and their descendants are to observe forever."

22 The Lord said to Moses, ²

23 "Take the finest spices - 12 pounds of liquid myrrh, 6 pounds of sweet-smelling cinnamon, 6 pounds of sweet-smelling cane,

24 and 12 pounds of cassia (all weighed according to the official standard). Add one gallon of olive oil,

25 and make a sacred anointing oil, mixed like perfume.

26 Use it to anoint the Tent of my presence, the Covenant Box,

27 the table and all its equipment, the lampstand and its equipment, the altar for burning incense,

28 the altar for burning offerings, together with all its equipment, and the washbasin with its base.

29 Dedicate these things in this way, and they will be completely holy, and anyone or anything that touches them will be harmed by the power of its holiness.

30 Then anoint Aaron and his sons, and ordain them as priests in my service.

31 Say to the people of Israel, "This holy anointing oil is to be used in my service for all time to come.

32 It must not be poured on ordinary men, and you must not use the same formula to make any mixture like it. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy.

33 Whoever makes any like it or uses any of it on anyone who is not a priest will no longer be considered one of my people.' "

34 The Lord said to Moses, "Take an equal part of each of the following sweet spices - stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense.

35 Use them to make incense, mixed like perfume. Add salt to keep it pure and holy.

36 Beat part of it into a fine powder, take it into the Tent of my presence, and sprinkle it in front of the Covenant Box. Treat this incense as completely holy.

37 Do not use the same formula to make any incense like it for yourselves. Treat it as a holy thing dedicated to me.

38 If anyone makes any like it for use as perfume, he will no longer be considered one of my people."

Exodus 30:17-38 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.

Cross References

• 1. 30.18Exodus 38.8.
• 2. 30.22-38Exodus 37.29.

Footnotes

• [a]. harmed by the power of its holiness: [See 29.37.]