Exodus 30:1-10

The Altar of Incense

1 “Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense.

2 It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high^[a] —its horns of one piece with it.

3 Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.

4 Make two gold rings for the altar below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it.

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

6 Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you.

7 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps.

8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the LORD for the generations to come.

9 Do not offer on this altar any other incense or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it.

10 Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering^[b] for the generations to come. It is most holy to the LORD.”

Exodus 30:1-10 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. Exodus 40:5,26; Numbers 4:11; 1 Kings 6:20; Ezekiel 41:22; Exodus 37:25
• 2. S Exodus 25:6; Exodus 37:29; Luke 1:11; Hebrews 9:4; Revelation 8:3
• 3. S Exodus 27:2; Revelation 9:13
• 4. S Exodus 25:11
• 5. S Exodus 25:12
• 6. S Exodus 25:13
• 7. Exodus 25:22; S Exodus 26:34
• 8. S Exodus 25:6; Exodus 40:27; Numbers 3:10; Deuteronomy 33:10; ver 34-35; Exodus 27:21; 1 Samuel 2:28; 1 Chronicles 6:49; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 2 Chronicles 26:18; 2 Chronicles 29:7
• 9. S Exodus 25:37; S Exodus 29:42
• 10. Leviticus 10:1; Numbers 16:7,40
• 11. Leviticus 16:2
• 12. Leviticus 9:7; Leviticus 16:18-19,30; Leviticus 23:27,28; Leviticus 25:9
• 13. Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:3; Leviticus 6:25; Leviticus 7:7; Leviticus 8:2,14; Numbers 6:11
• 14. S Exodus 29:42

Footnotes

• [a] That is, about 1 1/2 feet long and wide and 3 feet high or about 45 centimeters long and wide and 90 centimeters high
• [b] Or "purification offering"