Exodus 30:2-12

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.”

Atonement Money

11 Then the LORD said to Moses,
12 “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them.

Exodus 30:2-12 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 15

  • 1. S Exodus 27:2; Revelation 9:13
  • 2. S Exodus 25:11
  • 3. S Exodus 25:12
  • 4. S Exodus 25:13
  • 5. Exodus 25:22; S Exodus 26:34
  • 6. 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
  • 7. S Exodus 25:37; S Exodus 29:42
  • 8. Leviticus 10:1; Numbers 16:7,40
  • 9. Leviticus 16:2
  • 10. Leviticus 9:7; Leviticus 16:18-19,30; Leviticus 23:27,28; Leviticus 25:9
  • 11. Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:3; Leviticus 6:25; Leviticus 7:7; Leviticus 8:2,14; Numbers 6:11
  • 12. S Exodus 29:42
  • 13. Exodus 38:25; Numbers 1:2,49; Numbers 4:2,29; Numbers 14:29; Numbers 26:2; Numbers 31:26; 2 Samuel 24:1; 2 Kings 12:4
  • 14. Exodus 38:26; Numbers 31:50; S Matthew 20:28
  • 15. Numbers 14:12; Deuteronomy 28:58-61; 2 Samuel 24:13; 1 Kings 8:37

Footnotes 2

  • [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"
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