Exodus 30
Instructions for Various Items
Using Your Senses in Study
As you walk into the kitchen you are inundated with the sights and smells. As you look around the room there is a fresh pie, baked this morning, sitting on the cooling rack. A glance at the oven reveals your favorite dish is almost finished. Finally, just as you are about to sneak a taste of the pie, you sense the presence of your favorite person walking into the room.
What did you think about as you read the previous paragraph? I don’t know about you, but I could almost taste that apple pie. Not to mention the other things the descriptions above conjure to the mind.
Too often when we study the Bible we only read with our eyes. We fail to see ways to engage our other senses when examining the messages of Scripture. However, our study today gives us ample opportunity to utilize our other senses in the pursuit of understanding.
The latter half of this chapter focuses on the holy anointing oil and incense that was to be used in the tabernacle and by the priests. When you read the descriptions of the anointing oil, look at the ingredients - cinnamon, aromatic cane, myrrh and cassia. All of these have a fragrant aroma that are used for their smell as much as anything else.
The purpose of the anointing oil is many sided. On the one hand, its anointing on the tabernacle and instruments would help mask the smell of all of the animal sacrifices taking place on the tabernacle grounds. On the other, the anointing of the priests with the oil would cause those around to not only see, but to sense by smell when the priests were close by.
As you read chapter 30, and many other passages of Scripture, don’t forget to engage all of your senses, not just your eyes for reading. Doing so will deepen the descriptions of Scripture and the way you sense what is happening.
Exodus 30
The Altar of Incense. (Vs. 1-10)
This altar is to be designated specifically for the burning of incense. (Vs. 1-5)
It is different from the altar of burnt offerings on which the animals are to be sacrificed.
It will be made of acacia wood, and the horns of it are to be one piece with it - not attached to it later. (Vs. 1-2)
Its surface is to be 1 cubit (approx. 18 inches) square. (Vs. 2)
It is to be 2 cubits (approx. 3 feet) tall. (Vs. 2)
It is to be overlayed with pure gold on the top, sides, and horns. It is also to have a molding of gold around it. (Vs. 3)
There are to be rings attached to each side (made of gold) with poles of acacia wood for carrying the ark (also overlayed with gold). (Vs. 4-5)
It is to be placed inside the tabernacle, in front of the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. (Vs. 6)
Aaron will be responsible for burning incense every morning and evening when he comes in to take care of the lamps. (Vs. 7-8)
The altar is ONLY to be used for the appointed incense. It is to have no other offerings, and no unauthorized incense placed upon it. (Vs. 9)
Once per year, Aaron (or the future high priest) is to make atonement on its horns with the blood of the sin offering. (Vs. 10)
The Census Tax. (Vs. 11-16)
There will be an upcoming census of the people (discussed in the opening chapters of the book of Numbers). (Vs. 11-12)
During this census, every person who is numbered is to bring an offering of half a shekel of silver as an offering to the Lord. (Vs. 13)
A half-shekel is equal in weight to about 0.2-0.3 troy ounces of silver.
In current silver valuation, this would be around $20 per person.
Those who were going to be numbered would include those 20 years old and up - specifically the men (though it is not enumerated here). (Vs. 14)
It did not matter whether you were rich or poor, each person was required to give the same amount. (Vs. 15)
This offering was to be an atonement offering that was intended to finance the service of the tabernacle. It was to be a reminder to the people of all that God had done for them in saving them from Egypt. (Vs. 15-16)
The Bronze Basin (Vs. 17-21)
A bronze basin on a bronze stand is to be prepared. (Vs. 17-18)
It is to be placed between the tent and the altar of burnt offerings. (Vs. 18)
It is to be filled with water and used by Aaron and his sons. (Vs. 19)
Before they go into the tabernacle, or approach the altar to serve the people, Aaron and his sone are to wash their hands and feet in the basin. (Vs. 20-21)
Failure to do so carries with it a death sentence.
This is a continuous commandment that is to remain in effect throughout the generations.
The Anointing Oil and Incense. (Vs. 22-38)
The recipe for the anointing oil. (Vs. 22-25)
Liquid myrrh - 500 shekels (about 12 1/2 pounds).
Cinnamon - 250 shekels (about 6 1/4 pounds).
Aromatic Cane - 250 shekels.
Cassia - 500 shekels.
Olive oil - 1 hin (just over 2 liters).
These are to be blended like a perfumer would, creating one cohesive anointing oil. (Vs. 25)
The tabernacle and all of its items are to be anointed with this oil. This includes the ark, table, lampstand, altars of incense and offering, basin, and their instruments of usage. (Vs. 26-29)
This will consecrate them as holy, and whatever touches them will be considered holy. (Vs. 30)
Aaron and his sons are also to be anointed with oil. (Vs. 31)
This oil is to be unique among the people. (Vs. 32-33)
It is not to be used on someone who is not a priest. (Vs. 32)
There is not to be another batch or composition of it used elsewhere among the Israelites. (Vs. 32)
Anyone caught replicating it will be cast outside the camp. (Vs. 33)
The recipe for incense. (Vs. 34-38)
Take sweet spices - stachte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense.
Stachte - a gum resin from the Myrrh bush.
Onycha - a powder from the shell of a clam-like mollusk.
Galbanum - a brownish resin from a Ferula plant.
Frankincense - obtained from the resin of the Boswellia tree.
Each of these is to be taken in equal parts and blended like a perfumer and seasoned with salt. (Vs. 35)
Some of it is to be beaten until it is like dust and placed before the ark inside the tabernacle. (Vs. 36)
It is to be holy. It is not to be made for the people in general. (Vs. 37)
Whoever recreates it for personal use is to be cut off from the people. (Vs. 38)