Exodus 30:31

31 Tell the Israelites, 'This is to be my holy olive oil from now on. It is to be put on people and things to make them ready for service to God.

Exodus 30:31 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 30:31

And thou shall speak unto the children of Israel
When he was come down from the mount, and gave the instructions about the making and using of this oil:

saying, this shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your
generations;
Abarbinel, and other Jewish writers, conclude from hence, that this same oil, which was made by Moses, lasted throughout the generations to the times of Josiah, when it was hid with other things; but this, notion is justly exploded by Aben Ezra; it is not probable, that so small a quantity that was now made, which is supposed by some to be no more than a gallon and a half of wine measure, should suffice so long: it does not seem to be more than what was sufficient for present use; for the anointing of so many persons, and things as were anointed, and much less to be sufficient for the anointing of priests and kings in after times, until that period. This cannot be supposed without a miraculous interposition, to which the Talmudists

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 fly, and observe, that there were many miracles in this affair; but there is no need to have recourse to them, since, for aught that is said, it might be made again in like manner for sacred uses, which is meant by the phrase "unto me"; though it might not be made for any other use, private or profane.

F26 Massachet Cerithot, fol. 5. 2. & Horayot, fol. 11. 2.

Exodus 30:31 In-Context

29 You will prepare all these things for service to God, and they will be very holy. Anything that touches these things must be holy.

30 "Put the oil on Aaron and his sons to give them for service to me, that they may serve me as priests.

31 Tell the Israelites, 'This is to be my holy olive oil from now on. It is to be put on people and things to make them ready for service to God.

32 Do not pour it on the bodies of ordinary people, and do not make perfume the same way you make this oil. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy.

33 If anyone makes perfume like it or puts it on someone who is not a priest, that person must be cut off from his people.'" Incense