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Exodus 30:1-10

Listen to Exodus 30:1-10

The Altar of Incense

1 “Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense.
2 It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high[a] —its horns of one piece with it.
3 Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.
4 Make two gold rings for the altar below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it.
5 Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
6 Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you.
7 “Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps.
8 He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the LORD for the generations to come.
9 Do not offer on this altar any other incense or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it.
10 Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering[b] for the generations to come. It is most holy to the LORD.”

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.

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Exodus 30:1-10 Study Resources

Sermons

Incense and Intimacy: The Way Into Glory
Incense and Intimacy: The Way Into Glory
Dr. Robyn Kassas and Dr. Nathan Kassas

In this powerful episode of First Love, Dr. Robyn Kassas and Dr. Nathan Kassas guide us deeper into the Tabernacle journey, moving from illumination to intimacy. After encountering the Golden Lampstand and the Holy Spirit’s light, we now stand before the Altar of Incense—the final place of alignment before the veil. Here, prayer is no longer urgency-driven but devotion-refined. Incense represents transformed desire: praise and worship rising continually as a sweet fragrance before God, preparing the heart to enter His glory.The Altar of Incense reveals that intimacy with God requires order, balance, and surrender. We cannot step into the Holy of Holies carrying the scent of the world; our inner life must be aligned to “smell like Jesus.” Incense prayer bypasses panic, purifies motivation, and draws us into heart-level communion, where worship becomes who we are—not just what we do.Dr. Robyn and Dr. Nathan call us to return to our first love—yet not to remain immature there. We are invited to grow from the passion of first love into the stability, depth, and devotion of mature love, where intimacy sustains us and glory transforms us.

Cross References 14

  • 1. Exodus 40:5,26; Numbers 4:11; 1 Kings 6:20; Ezekiel 41:22; Exodus 37:25
  • 2. S Exodus 25:6; Exodus 37:29; Luke 1:11; Hebrews 9:4; Revelation 8:3
  • 3. S Exodus 27:2; Revelation 9:13
  • 4. S Exodus 25:11
  • 5. S Exodus 25:12
  • 6. S Exodus 25:13
  • 7. Exodus 25:22; S Exodus 26:34
  • 8. S Exodus 25:6; Exodus 40:27; Numbers 3:10; Deuteronomy 33:10; ver 34-35; Exodus 27:21; 1 Samuel 2:28; 1 Chronicles 6:49; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 2 Chronicles 26:18; 2 Chronicles 29:7
  • 9. S Exodus 25:37; S Exodus 29:42
  • 10. Leviticus 10:1; Numbers 16:7,40
  • 11. Leviticus 16:2
  • 12. Leviticus 9:7; Leviticus 16:18-19,30; Leviticus 23:27,28; Leviticus 25:9
  • 13. Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:3; Leviticus 6:25; Leviticus 7:7; Leviticus 8:2,14; Numbers 6:11
  • 14. S Exodus 29:42

Footnotes 2

  • [a] That is, about 1 1/2 feet long and wide and 3 feet high or about 45 centimeters long and wide and 90 centimeters high
  • [b] Or "purification offering"
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.

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