Exodus 30
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Altar to burn incense - The Samaritan omits the ten first verses of this chapter, because it inserts them after Exo 26:32 (note). Shittim wood - The same of which the preceding articles were made, because it was abundant in those parts, and because it was very durable; hence everywhere the Septuagint translation, which was made in Egypt, renders the original by ξυλον ασηπτον, incorruptible wood.
Open source ↗THE ALTAR OF INCENSE. (Exo. 30:1-38) thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon, &c.--Its material was to be like that of the ark of the testimony, but its dimensions very small [Exo 25:10].
Open source ↗And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon,.... The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan call it incense of spices, properly enough, for it was made of various spices; of which see Exo 30:34 and this was necessary on a natural and civil account, to remove those ill smells from the sanctuary, occasioned by the number of beasts continually slain in it; but chiefly on a religions account, to denote the acceptableness of the service of the sanctuary to God: of shittim wood shall thou make it: of the same that the altar of burnt offering was made, which was covered with brass, but this with gold, as after related; of this sort of wood; see Gill on Exo 25:5 as this altar was a type of Christ, the shittim wood may respect his human nature; which wood, though it sprung out of the earth, was not common, but choice and excellent, and very strong durable, and incorruptible; and so Christ, though he was man made of an earthly woman in his human nature, yet was chosen out of the people, is the chiefest among ten thousand, and excellent as the cedars, the man of God's right hand, whom he made strong for himself; and though he died in it, he saw no corruption, he now lives, and will live for evermore; in which nature he acts the part of a Mediator, and intercedes for his people, and offers up their prayers, perfumed with the much incense of his mediation, to which this altar has a special respect.
Open source ↗The Altar of Incense and Incense-Offering bring the directions concerning the sanctuary to a close. What follows, from Ex 30:11-31:17, is shown to be merely supplementary to the larger whole by the formula "and Jehovah spake unto Moses," with which every separate command is introduced (cf. Exo 30:11, Exo 30:17, Exo 30:22, Exo 30:24, Exo 31:1, Exo 31:12). Exo 30:1-6 (cf. Exo 37:25-28). Moses was directed to make an altar of burning of incense (lit., incensing of incense), of acacia-wood, one cubit long and one broad, four-cornered, two cubits high, furnished with horns like the altar of burnt-offering (Exo 27:1-2), and to plate it with pure gold, the roof (גּג) thereof (i.e., its upper side or surface, which was also made of wood), and its walls round about, and its horns; so that it was covered with gold quite down to the ground upon which it stood, and for this reason is often called the golden altar (Exo 39:38; Exo 40:5, Exo 40:26; Num 4:11). Moreover it was to be ornamented with a golden wreath, and furnished with golden rings at the corners for the carrying-poles, as the ark of the covenant and the table of shew-bread were (Exo 25:11., Exo 25:25.); and its place was to be in front of the curtain, which concealed the ark of the covenant (Exo 26:31), "before the capporeth" (Exo 40:5), so that, although it really stood in the holy place between the candlestick on the south side and the table on the north (Exo 26:35; Exo 40:22, Exo 40:24), it was placed in the closest relation to the capporeth, and for this reason is not only connected with the most holy place in Kg1 6:22, but is reckoned in Heb 9:4 as part of the furniture of the most holy place (see Delitzsch on Heb 9:4). Exo 30:7-9 Upon this altar Aaron was to burn fragrant incense, the preparation of which is descri…
Open source ↗I. The orders given concerning the altar of incense are, 1. That it was to be made of wood, and covered with gold, pure gold, about a yard high and half a yard square, with horns at the corners, a golden cornice round it, with rings and staves of gold, for the convenience of carrying it, Exo 30:1-5. It does not appear that there was any grate to this altar for the ashes to fall into, that they might be taken away; but, when they burnt incense, a golden censer was brought with coals in it, and placed upon the altar, and in that censer the incense was burnt, and with it all the coals were taken away, so that no coals nor ashes fell upon the altar. The measure of the altar of incense in Ezekiel's temple is double to what it is here (Eze 41:22), and it is there called an altar of wood, and there is no mention of gold, to signify that the incense, in gospel times, should be spiritual, the worship plain, and the service of God enlarged, for in every place incense should be offered, Mal 1:11. 2. That it was to be placed before the veil, on the outside of that partition, but before the mercy-seat, which was within the veil, Exo 30:6. For though he that ministered at the altar could not see the mercy-seat, the veil interposing, yet he must look towards it, and direct his incense that way, to teach us that though we cannot with our bodily eyes see the throne of grace, that blessed mercy-seat (for it is such a throne of glory that God, in compassion to us, holds back the face of it, and spreads a cloud upon it), yet we must in prayer by faith set ourselves before it, direct our prayer, and look up. 3. That Aaron was to burn sweet incense upon this altar, every morning and every evening, about half a pound at a time, which was intended, not only to take away the ill smell of the fl…
Open source ↗30:1-10 Plans for the altar of acacia wood are included here rather than with the plans for the other items in the sanctuary (25:23-40), perhaps because of the reference to the priest’s use of it in 30:7-10.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar מִקְטָר (miqṭâr, H4729) — something to fume (incense) on i.e. a hearth place קְטֹרֶת (qᵉṭôreth, H7004) — a fumigation שִׁטָּה (shiṭṭâh, H7848) — the acacia (from its scourging thorns) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Open source ↗אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) רָבַע (râbaʻ, H7251) — to be quadrate קוֹמָה (qôwmâh, H6967) — height קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's…
Open source ↗צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6823) — to sheet over (especially with metal) טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky גָּג (gâg, H1406) — a roof; by analogy, the top of an altar קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application זֵר (zêr, H2213) — a chaplet (as spread around the top), i.e. (specifically) a border moulding
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application זֵר (zêr, H2213) — a chaplet (as spread around the top), i.e. (specifically) a border moulding צֵלָע (tsêlâʻ, H6763) — a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, i.e. leaf); hence,… צַד (tsad, H6654) — a side; figuratively, an adversary בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative הֵם (hêm, H1992) — they (only used when emphatic)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… שִׁטָּה (shiṭṭâh, H7848) — the acacia (from its scourging thorns) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6823) — to sheet over (especially with metal) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… פֹּרֶכֶת (pôreketh, H6532) — a separatrix, i.e. (the sacred) screen אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box עֵדוּת (ʻêdûwth, H5715) — testimony כַּפֹּרֶת (kappôreth, H3727) — a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark) יָעַד (yâʻad, H3259) — to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to…
Open source ↗אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) סַם (çam, H5561) — an aroma קְטֹרֶת (qᵉṭôreth, H7004) — a fumigation בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning יָטַב (yâṭab, H3190) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy,… נִיר (nîyr, H5216) — a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… נִיר (nîyr, H5216) — a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively) עֶרֶב (ʻereb, H6153) — dusk קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… קְטֹרֶת (qᵉṭôreth, H7004) — a fumigation פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… זוּר (zûwr, H2114) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be aforeigner, strange, profane;… קְטֹרֶת (qᵉṭôreth, H7004) — a fumigation עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… נָסַךְ (nâçak, H5258) — to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint aking נֶסֶךְ (neçek, H5262) — a libation; also a cast idol
Open source ↗אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses כָּפַר (kâphar, H3722) — to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or… קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… כִּפֻּר (kippur, H3725) — expiation (only in plural) דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… כֹּפֶר (kôpher, H3724) — properly, a cover, i.e. (literally) a village (as covered in); (specifically) bitumen (as… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נֶגֶף (negeph, H5063) — a trip (of the foot); figuratively, an infliction (of disease)
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… עַל (ʻal, H5921) — above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… מַחֲצִית (machătsîyth, H4276) — a halving or the middle שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, H8255) — probably a weight; used as a commercial standard קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth גֵּרָה (gêrâh, H1626) — a gerah or small weight (and coin) תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.
Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the Testimony, and hang the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.
The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar.
He is also to put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting, and he must pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
But when Uzziah grew powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he shall make atonement on it annually with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. The altar is most holy to the LORD.”