Exodus 30:23-33

23 "Take the finest spices - 12 pounds of liquid myrrh, 6 pounds of sweet-smelling cinnamon, 6 pounds of sweet-smelling cane,

24 and 12 pounds of cassia (all weighed according to the official standard). Add one gallon of olive oil,

25 and make a sacred anointing oil, mixed like perfume.

26 Use it to anoint the Tent of my presence, the Covenant Box,

27 the table and all its equipment, the lampstand and its equipment, the altar for burning incense,

28 the altar for burning offerings, together with all its equipment, and the washbasin with its base.

29 Dedicate these things in this way, and they will be completely holy, and anyone or anything that touches them will be harmed by the power of its holiness.

30 Then anoint Aaron and his sons, and ordain them as priests in my service.

31 Say to the people of Israel, "This holy anointing oil is to be used in my service for all time to come.

32 It must not be poured on ordinary men, and you must not use the same formula to make any mixture like it. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy.

33 Whoever makes any like it or uses any of it on anyone who is not a priest will no longer be considered one of my people.' "

Exodus 30:23-33 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. harmed by the power of its holiness: [See 29.37.]