Exodus 30:22-38

Anointing Oil

22 Then the LORD spoke to Moses.

23 He said, "Get some fine spices. Get 12 pounds eight ounces of liquid myrrh. Get six pounds four ounces of sweet-smelling cinnamon and the same amount of sweet-smelling cane.

24 Also get 12 pounds eight ounces of cassia. All of the spices must be weighed out in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent. Get four quarts of olive oil.

25 "Have a person who makes perfume mix everything into a sacred anointing oil. It will smell sweet.

26 "Then anoint the Tent of Meeting and the ark where the tablets of the covenant are kept.

27 Anoint the table for the holy bread and all of its articles. Anoint the lampstand and the things that are used with it. Anoint the altar for burning incense.

28 Anoint the altar for burnt offerings and all of its tools. And anoint the large bowl together with its stand.

29 You must set them apart so that they will be very holy. Anything that touches them will be holy.

30 "Anoint Aaron and his sons. Set them apart so that they can serve me as priests.

31 "Say to the people of Israel, 'This will be my sacred anointing oil for all time to come.

32 Do not pour it on the bodies of any other men. Do not make any other oil in the same way. It is sacred. So you must think of it as sacred.

33 Anyone who makes perfume in the same way and puts it on someone who is not a priest must be cut off from his people.' "

Incense

34 Then the LORD spoke to Moses. He said, "Get some sweet-smelling spices. Get some gum resin, onycha and galbanum. Also get some pure frankincense. Make sure everything is in equal amounts.

35 "Have a person who makes perfume mix it all up into a sweet-smelling incense. It must have salt in it. It will be pure and sacred.

36 Grind some of it into powder. Place it in front of the tablets of the covenant in the Tent of Meeting. There I will meet with you. The incense will be very holy to you.

37 "Do not make any incense for yourselves in the same way. Think of it as holy to me.

38 Anyone who makes incense in the same way to enjoy its sweet smell must be cut off from his people."

Exodus 30:22-38 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.