Exode 30:31

31 Et tu parleras aux enfants d'Israël, en disant: Ceci me sera une huile d'onction sacrée dans toutes vos générations.

Exode 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


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.

Exode 30:31 In-Context

29 Ainsi tu les consacreras, et ils seront une chose très sainte; tout ce qui les touchera sera sacré.
30 Tu oindras aussi Aaron et ses fils, et tu les consacreras pour exercer devant moi la sacrificature.
31 Et tu parleras aux enfants d'Israël, en disant: Ceci me sera une huile d'onction sacrée dans toutes vos générations.
32 On ne la versera point sur la chair de l'homme, et vous n'en ferez point d'autre de même composition; elle est sainte, elle vous sera sainte.
33 Celui qui fera une composition semblable, et qui en mettra sur un étranger, sera retranché d'entre ses peuples.
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.