Exodus 30:1-10

The Altar for Burning Incense

1 "Make an altar for burning incense. Make it out of acacia wood.

2 It must be one foot six inches square and three feet high. Make a horn stick out from each of its upper four corners.

3 Cover the top, sides and horns with pure gold. Put a strip of gold around it.

4 "Make two gold rings for the altar below the strip. Put the rings across from each other. They will hold the poles that are used to carry it.

5 Make the poles out of acacia wood. Cover them with gold.

6 "Put the altar in front of the curtain that hangs in front of the ark where the tablets of the covenant are kept. The ark will have a cover. It will be the place where sin is paid for. There I will meet with you.

7 "Aaron must burn sweet-smelling incense on the altar. He must do it every morning when he takes care of the lamps.

8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at sunset. Incense must be burned regularly to me. Do it for all time to come.

9 "Do not burn any other incense on the altar. Do not use the altar for burnt offerings or grain offerings. Do not pour drink offerings on it.

10 "Once a year Aaron must put the blood of a sin offering on its horns to make it pure. He must do it on the day Israel's sin is paid for. Do it for all time to come. The altar is a very holy place to me."

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.