Exodus 30:9-19

9 Do not offer on this altar any forbidden incense, any animal offering, or any grain offering, and do not pour out any wine offering on it.

10 Once a year Aaron is to perform the ritual for purifying the altar by putting on its four projections the blood of the animal sacrificed for sin. This is to be done every year for all time to come. This altar is to be completely holy, dedicated to me, the Lord."

11 The Lord said to Moses,

12 "When you take a census of the people of Israel, each man is to pay me a price for his life, so that no disaster will come on him while the census is being taken.

13 Everyone included in the census must pay the required amount of money, weighed according to the official standard. Everyone must pay this as an offering to me. ¹

14 Everyone being counted in the census, that is, every man twenty years old or older, is to pay me this amount.

15 The rich man is not to pay more, nor the poor man less, when they pay this amount for their lives.

16 Collect this money from the people of Israel and spend it for the upkeep of the Tent of my presence. This tax will be the payment for their lives, and I will remember to protect them."

17 The Lord said to Moses,

18 "Make a bronze basin with a bronze base. Place it between the Tent and the altar, and put water in it. ²

19 Aaron and his sons are to use the water to wash their hands and feet

Exodus 30:9-19 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.

Cross References

• 1. 30.13Exodus 38.25, 26;Matthew 17.24.
• 2. 30.18Exodus 38.8.