And as for the perfume which thou shalt make ,.... As above directed: ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof ; that is, for their own use, for the scenting of their rooms, or to snuff up, or smell to, as in the next verse: it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord ; separated entirely for his service, to be burned upon his altar, and to be no otherwise used. read more
Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto ,.... A man might make a perfume of the same ingredients, and of the same weight, and exactly like it, but not to burn for his own delight and pleasure; but if he made it and sold it to the congregation, as Jarchi observes, he was not guilty; but if it was for his own private use and pleasure, then he shall even be cut off from his people ; See Gill on Exodus 30:33 . read more
The golden altar and the perfume. The golden altar was of small dimensions, a cubit in length, a cubit in breadth, and two cubits high. It was a true altar, as shown by its square shape, and by its horns. Its place was immediately in front of the vail dividing the two portions of the sanctuary, with the innermost or' which—the holy of holies—it was regarded as having the more intimate connection ( 1 Kings 6:22 ; Hebrews 9:4 ). The command was that Aaron should burn upon it sweet... read more
The Holy Incense. Let us note here— I. THE COMPOSTION OF THE INCENSE ( Exodus 30:34 , Exodus 30:35 ). The utmost care was taken in the law that the incense should be properly composed, of the right materials, in the right proportion. Equal care is to be taken by Christians with their incense. Prayer is not to be adventured on rashly, carelessly, unpreparedly. The matter, even the very words, of prayer should be carefully weighed beforehand. To approach God with unworthy... read more
Ye shall not make unto yourselves , etc. None shall be made by any man for private use according to the same recipe, since the compound, as described, is "holy unto the Lord." If any man does so, he shall be "cut off from among his people"— i.e; "put to death by the civil authority." (See Exodus 31:14 .) read more
Exodus 37:29. The incense, like the anointing oil, consisted of four aromatic ingredients.Stacte - supposed to be either the gum of the Storax tree (Styrax officinale) found in Syria and the neighboring countries, or the gum known as Benzoin, or Gum Benjamin, which is an important ingredient in the incense now used in churches and mosques, and is the produce of another storax tree (Styrax benzoin) that grows in Java and Sumatra.Onycha - , a perfume perhaps made from the cap of the strombus, or... read more
Anointing oil; incense (30:22-38)Oil had special significance when used to anoint people or things. Anointing, in its highest sense, meant that holy oil was poured over, or otherwise applied to, people or things to signify that they were set apart for the service of God. The art of preparing oils, perfumes and incenses was well known in Egypt and Arabia, and the Israelites apparently learnt such skills from these people. But the formula given to Moses for the anointing oil was to be used only... read more
THE HOLY INCENSE"And Jehovah said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight; and thou shalt make of it incense, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy: and thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put it before the testimony in the tent of meeting; where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. And the incense which thou shalt make,... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 30:22-38
Directions are here given for the composition of the holy anointing oil and the incense that were to be used in the service of the tabernacle; with these God was to be honoured, and therefore he would appoint the making of them; for nothing comes to God but what comes from him. 1. The holy anointing oil is here ordered to be made up the ingredients, and their quantities, are prescribed, Exod. 30:23-25. Interpreters are not agreed concerning them; we are sure, in general, they were the best and... read more