Exodus 30:4-14

4 Make two gold rings for it under the molding on two of its sides; put these on opposite sides of it to be holders for the poles to carry it with.

5 Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.

6 "You are to place the altar in front of the veil by the ark of the testimony-in front of the mercy seat that is over the testimony-where I will meet with you.

7 Aaron must burn fragrant incense on it; he must burn it every morning when he tends the lamps.

8 When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn incense. There is to be an incense [offering] before the Lord throughout your generations.

9 You must not offer unauthorized incense on it, or a burnt or grain offering; you are not to pour a drink offering on it.

10 "Once a year Aaron is to perform the purification rite^[a] on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he is to perform the purification rite^[b] for^[c] it once a year, with the blood of the sin offering for atonement.^[d] The altar is especially holy to the Lord."

The Atonement Money

11 The Lord spoke to Moses:

12 "When you take a census of the Israelites to register them, each of the men must pay a ransom for himself to the Lord as they are registered. Then no plague will come on them as they are registered.

13 Everyone who is registered must pay half a shekel^[e]/ 5 of an ounce of silver according to the sanctuary shekel (20 gerahs to the shekel). This half shekel is a contribution to the Lord.

14 Each man who is registered, 20 years old or more, must give this contribution to the Lord.

Exodus 30:4-14 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] Or to make atonement
• [b] Or to make atonement
• [c] Or on
• [d] Lv 16:18
• [e] About 2