Bible Commentaries
Exodus 30

Introduction

Overview

Exodus 30:1, The altar of incense; Exodus 30:11, The ransom of souls; Exodus 30:17, The brazen laver; Exodus 30:22, The holy anointing oil; Exodus 30:34, The composition of the incense.

Verse 1

The Samaritan inserts the first ten verses of this chapter after Exodus 26:32.

an altar: Exodus 30:7, Exodus 30:8, Exodus 30:10, Exodus 37:25-28, Exodus 40:5, Leviticus 4:7, Leviticus 4:18, 1 Kings 6:20, 2 Chronicles 26:16, Revelation 8:3

to burn incense: Where so many sacrifices were offered, it was essentially necessary to have some pleasing perfume to counteract the disagreeable smells that must have arisen from the slaughter of so many animals, the burning of so much flesh, the sprinkling of the blood. No blood was ever sprinkled on this altar, except once a year, on the grand day of expiation. It was called also the golden altar - Numbers 4:11, and the incense was as constantly burnt on it every day, as the morning and evening sacrifice of a lamb was burnt on the brazen altar.

Reciprocal: Exodus 31:8 - the altar Exodus 35:15 - the incense Exodus 40:26 - General Leviticus 10:1 - put incense Leviticus 16:13 - And he Numbers 3:31 - the altars 1 Kings 6:22 - also 1 Kings 7:48 - the altar 1 Chronicles 6:49 - Aaron 1 Chronicles 28:18 - the altar 2 Chronicles 4:19 - the golden 2 Chronicles 13:11 - sweet incense 2 Chronicles 32:12 - one altar Isaiah 65:3 - altars Ezekiel 41:22 - altar Luke 1:11 - the altar Revelation 8:4 - General

Verse 2

the horns: Exodus 27:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:12 - the horns

Verse 3

overlay it: Exodus 25:11, Exodus 25:24

top: Heb. roof

sides: Heb. walls

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:25 - a golden crown to the border Exodus 37:2 - General 1 Kings 6:22 - also Ezekiel 43:17 - and the border

Verse 4

rings: Exodus 25:12, Exodus 25:14, Exodus 25:27, Exodus 26:29, Exodus 27:4, Exodus 27:7

two corners: Heb. ribs

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:6 - staves for the altar

Verse 5

Exodus 25:13, Exodus 25:27

Reciprocal: Exodus 36:31 - General 1 Kings 6:22 - also

Verse 6

veil: Exodus 26:31-35, Exodus 40:3, Exodus 40:5, Exodus 40:26, Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 9:3, Hebrews 9:4

before the mercy seat that is over the testimony: The words לפני הכפרת אשר על העדת, liphney haccapporeth asher al haaiduth, "before the mercy-seat that is over the testimony," are thought to be a repetition of the preceding clause, לפני הפרכת אשר על ארן הערת, liphney happarocheth asher al aron haaiduth, "before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony; the word הפרכת , [Strong's H6532], happarocheth, "the vail," being corrupted, by transposing the letters into הכפרת , [Strong's H3727], hacapporeth, "the mercy-seat," and the word ארן, [Strong's H727], aron, "ark," omitted. This repetition, as Dr. Kennicott observes, places the altar of incense before the mercy-seat, and consequently in the Holy of Holies! Now this could not be, as the altar of incense was attended every day, and the Holy of Holies entered only once in the year. The five words which appear to be a repetition are wanting in twenty-six of Kennicott's and Rossi's manuscripts and in the Samaritan Text. Exodus 25:21, Exodus 25:22, Leviticus 16:13, 1 Chronicles 28:11, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 9:5

I will: Exodus 30:36, Exodus 29:42, Exodus 29:43, Numbers 17:4

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:18 - met Exodus 16:34 - General Exodus 25:16 - General Exodus 36:35 - veil of blue Leviticus 21:23 - go in 1 Kings 6:22 - also 1 Chronicles 23:13 - to burn incense Isaiah 64:5 - meetest

Verse 7

sweet incense: Heb. incense of spices, Exodus 30:34-38

dresseth: Exodus 27:20, Exodus 27:21, 1 Samuel 2:28, 1 Samuel 3:3, 1 Chronicles 23:13, Luke 1:9, Acts 6:4

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:1 - an altar Exodus 39:38 - sweet incense Exodus 40:27 - General Leviticus 16:13 - And he Numbers 7:14 - incense Numbers 16:46 - an atonement Numbers 18:5 - And ye Deuteronomy 33:10 - they shall put incense 1 Kings 9:25 - he burnt 2 Chronicles 2:4 - to burn 2 Chronicles 26:18 - to the priests Psalms 141:2 - as incense Isaiah 43:24 - no sweet Hebrews 9:6 - the priests

Verse 8

lighteth: or, setteth up, Heb. causeth to ascend

at even: Heb. between the two evens. Exodus 12:6, *marg.

a perpetual: Romans 8:34, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 9:24

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:37 - they shall Exodus 27:20 - to cause the lamp Exodus 27:21 - Aaron Exodus 29:42 - a continual Exodus 30:1 - an altar Leviticus 16:13 - And he Numbers 7:14 - incense Deuteronomy 33:10 - they shall put incense 1 Samuel 3:3 - the lamp 2 Chronicles 26:18 - to the priests Song of Solomon 4:6 - the mountain Ezekiel 41:22 - before Luke 1:9 - his Hebrews 9:6 - the priests

Verse 9

Leviticus 10:1

Reciprocal: Leviticus 23:13 - the drink Numbers 28:7 - to be poured

Verse 10

Aaron: Exodus 29:36, Exodus 29:37, Leviticus 16:18, Leviticus 16:29, Leviticus 16:30, Leviticus 23:27, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 9:7, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:23, Hebrews 9:25

sin offering: Leviticus 16:5, Leviticus 16:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:14 - it is a Exodus 30:1 - an altar Leviticus 4:3 - for a sin Leviticus 16:34 - once a year 1 Chronicles 6:49 - make an atonement Hebrews 10:3 - a remembrance

Verse 11

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:32 - the third part

Verse 12

takest: Exodus 38:25, Exodus 38:26, Numbers 1:2-5, Numbers 26:2-4, 2 Samuel 24:1

their number: Heb. them that are to be numbered

a ransom: Numbers 31:50, 2 Chronicles 24:6, Job 33:24, Job 36:18, Psalms 49:7, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, 1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Peter 1:18, 1 Peter 1:19

no plague: 2 Samuel 24:2-15, 1 Chronicles 21:12, 1 Chronicles 21:14, 1 Chronicles 27:24

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:30 - for the ransom Exodus 30:15 - give less than 2 Kings 12:4 - even the money

Verse 13

a shekel is: Leviticus 27:25, Numbers 3:47, Ezekiel 45:12

an half shekel: Exodus 38:26, Matthew 27:24,*Gr.

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:16 - four Exodus 38:24 - the shekel Leviticus 5:15 - the shekel Leviticus 27:3 - after the Numbers 7:13 - the shekel Numbers 18:16 - which is Matthew 17:24 - tribute

Verse 14

from twenty: Numbers 1:3, Numbers 1:18, Numbers 1:20, Numbers 14:29, Numbers 26:2, Numbers 32:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 38:24 - the shekel Ezekiel 45:16 - the people

Verse 15

rich: Job 34:19, Proverbs 22:2, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25

give more: Heb. multiply

give less than: Heb. diminish, an atonement. Exodus 30:12, Leviticus 17:11, Numbers 31:50, 2 Samuel 21:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:15 - shekels Exodus 38:26 - bekah Leviticus 14:29 - General Ezekiel 45:16 - the people

Verse 16

appoint: Exodus 38:25-31, Nehemiah 10:32, Nehemiah 10:33

a memorial: Exodus 12:14, Numbers 16:40, Luke 22:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 38:26 - bekah Leviticus 2:2 - the memorial Leviticus 14:29 - General Numbers 10:10 - a memorial Numbers 31:50 - an atonement Numbers 31:54 - a memorial Joshua 4:7 - memorial

Verse 17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:38 - ten lavers

Verse 18

a laver: Exodus 31:9, Exodus 38:8, Leviticus 8:11, 1 Kings 7:23, 1 Kings 7:38, 2 Chronicles 4:2, 2 Chronicles 4:6, 2 Chronicles 4:14, 2 Chronicles 4:15, Zechariah 13:1, Titus 3:5,*Gr: 1 John 1:7

put it: Exodus 40:7, Exodus 40:30-32

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:4 - wash them Exodus 35:16 - the laver Numbers 5:17 - holy water

Verse 19

Exodus 40:31, Exodus 40:32, Psalms 26:6, Isaiah 52:11, John 13:8-10, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 9:10, Hebrews 10:22, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 1:6

Verse 20

die not: Exodus 12:15, Leviticus 10:1-3, Leviticus 16:1, Leviticus 16:2, 1 Samuel 6:19, 1 Chronicles 13:10, Psalms 89:7, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10, Hebrews 12:28, Hebrews 12:29

Reciprocal: Exodus 40:32 - as the Lord Leviticus 16:4 - therefore Psalms 26:6 - wash

Verse 21

a statute: Exodus 28:43

Verse 22

Reciprocal: Exodus 35:15 - the incense

Verse 23

thee principal: Exodus 37:29, Psalms 45:8, Proverbs 7:17, Song of Solomon 1:3, Song of Solomon 1:13, Song of Solomon 4:14, Jeremiah 6:20, Ezekiel 27:19, Ezekiel 27:22

pure myrrh: Myrrh is a white gum, issuing from the trunk and larger branches of a thorny tree resembling the acacia, growing in Arabia, Egypt, and Abyssinia. Its taste is extremely bitter; but its smell, though strong, is agreeable; and it entered into the composition of the most costly ointments among the ancients. The epithet deror, rendered pure, properly denotes fluid, from the Arabic darra, to flow; by which is meant the finest and most excellent kind, called stacte, which issues of itself from the bark without incision.

cinnamon: Kinnamon bosem, odoriferous or spicy cinnamon, is the bark of the canella, a small tree of the size of a willow growing in the island of Ceylon.

sweet calamus: Kenaih bosem, calamus aromaticus, or odoriferous cane, is a reed growing in Egypt, Syria, and India, about two feet in height, bearing from the root a knotted stalk, quite round, containing in its cavity a soft white pith. It is said to scent the air while growing; and when cut down, dried, and powdered, makes an ingredient in the richest perfumes.

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:6 - spices Exodus 28:41 - anoint them Exodus 29:7 - General Exodus 30:34 - unto thee Exodus 31:11 - the anointing Exodus 35:8 - spices Exodus 35:28 - General Exodus 40:9 - the anointing oil Leviticus 8:2 - anointing Leviticus 8:10 - General Numbers 4:16 - the anointing Numbers 7:1 - anointed it 1 Kings 1:39 - out 1 Chronicles 9:29 - the frankincense Song of Solomon 4:6 - the mountain Isaiah 43:24 - no sweet Matthew 2:11 - frankincense Matthew 26:7 - very

Verse 24

cassia: Psalms 45:8

the shekel: Numbers 3:47, Ezekiel 45:12

hin: Exodus 29:40, Leviticus 19:36, Numbers 15:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 38:24 - the shekel Leviticus 23:13 - the fourth Isaiah 43:24 - no sweet Ezekiel 27:19 - cassia

Verse 25

apothecary: or, perfumer, 1 Chronicles 9:30

an holy: Exodus 37:29, Numbers 35:25, Psalms 89:20, Psalms 133:2, Hebrews 1:9

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:21 - the anointing oil Exodus 30:32 - it is Exodus 30:35 - after the 2 Chronicles 16:14 - the apothecaries' art Nehemiah 3:8 - of the apothecaries

Verse 26

Exodus 40:9-15, Leviticus 8:10-12, Numbers 7:1, Numbers 7:10, Isaiah 61:1, Acts 10:38, 2 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Corinthians 1:22, 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:36 - anoint it Ezekiel 28:14 - the anointed Matthew 23:17 - or

Verse 28

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:36 - anoint it Exodus 35:8 - spices 1 Kings 7:38 - ten lavers

Verse 29

whatsoever: Exodus 29:37, Leviticus 6:18, Matthew 23:17, Matthew 23:19

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:36 - anoint it Leviticus 6:27 - touch Ezekiel 44:19 - sanctify

Verse 30

anoint: Exodus 29:7-37, Exodus 40:15, Leviticus 8:12, Leviticus 8:30, Numbers 3:3

consecrate: Exodus 28:3, Exodus 29:9, Exodus 29:35

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:1 - among Exodus 29:29 - anointed Leviticus 10:7 - the anointing Luke 1:8 - he

Verse 31

an holy: Exodus 37:29, Leviticus 8:12, Leviticus 21:10, Psalms 89:20

Reciprocal: Exodus 40:15 - everlasting

Verse 32

man's: Leviticus 21:10, Matthew 7:6

it is: Exodus 30:25, Exodus 30:37, Exodus 30:38

Verse 33

compoundeth: Exodus 30:38, Luke 12:1, Luke 12:2, Hebrews 10:26-29

a stranger: Exodus 29:33

cut off: Exodus 12:15, Exodus 12:19, Genesis 17:14, Leviticus 7:20, Leviticus 7:21, Leviticus 17:4, Leviticus 17:9, Leviticus 19:8, Leviticus 23:29, Numbers 9:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:37 - ye shall Exodus 40:15 - everlasting 1 Chronicles 9:30 - of the sons Galatians 5:12 - cut

Verse 34

unto thee: Exodus 30:23, Exodus 25:6, Exodus 37:29

stacte: Heb. nataph, The Jews and others suppose it to be what was afterwards called the balm of Jericho, or Gilead.

onycha: The word shechaileth is generally allowed to denote onycha (nail-fish, from its form), as it is rendered by the LXX and Vulgate. It is the shell of the purpura, and of the whole class of murex; and serves as the basis of the principal perfumes in India.

galbanum: Chelbenah, (probably from chalay, milk or gum, and lavan, white), is the gummy, resinous juice of an umbelliferous plant, the bubon gumniferum of Linneus, growing in Syria, Persia, and Africa. It rises with a ligneous stalk from eight to ten feet, and is garnished with leaves at every joint. The top of the stalk is terminated by an umbel of yellow flowers which are succeeded by oblong channelled seeds, which have a thin membrane or wing on their border. When any part of the plant is broken, there issues out a little thin juice, of a cream colour, of a fat, tough substance, like gum ammoniac, composed of many small, shining grains, of a strong, piercing smell and a sharp, warm taste.

frankincense: Leviticus 2:1, Leviticus 2:15, Leviticus 5:11, Leviticus 24:7, 1 Chronicles 9:29, 1 Chronicles 9:30, Nehemiah 13:5, Song of Solomon 3:6, Matthew 2:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 30:7 - sweet incense Exodus 31:11 - sweet incense Leviticus 10:1 - put incense Leviticus 16:12 - sweet incense Numbers 4:16 - the sweet Numbers 7:14 - incense 1 Kings 10:10 - spices 1 Chronicles 23:13 - to burn incense 2 Chronicles 9:9 - of spices Psalms 141:2 - as incense Ecclesiastes 10:1 - the ointment Isaiah 43:24 - no sweet

Verse 35

perfume: Proverbs 27:9, Song of Solomon 1:3, Song of Solomon 3:6, John 12:3

after the: Exodus 30:25

tempered: Heb. salted, Leviticus 2:13

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:30 - of the sons Ecclesiastes 10:1 - the ointment

Verse 36

the testimony: Exodus 16:34

where I will: Exodus 30:6, Exodus 25:22, Exodus 29:42, Exodus 29:43, Leviticus 16:2

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:18 - met Exodus 25:16 - General Exodus 40:2 - tabernacle Numbers 17:4 - General

Verse 37

ye shall: Exodus 30:32, Exodus 30:33

it shall: Exodus 29:37, Leviticus 2:3

Verse 38

be cut off: Exodus 30:33

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:14 - cut Exodus 30:32 - it is Exodus 39:33 - the tent