1UndH7004 du sollst einen AltarH4196 machenH6213 zum RäuchernH4729 des Räucherwerks, von AkazienholzH7848 sollst du ihn machenH6213; 2eine ElleH520 seine LängeH753, und eine ElleH520 seine BreiteH7341 -quadratförmig soll er sein-und zwei EllenH520 seine HöheH6967; aus ihm sollen seine HörnerH7161 sein. 3UndH2889 überzieheH6823 ihn mit reinem GoldeH2091, seine Platte undH5439 seine WändeH7023 ringsum und seine HörnerH7161; und macheH6213 ihm einen KranzH2213 vonH5439 GoldH2091 ringsum. 4Und macheH6213 ihm zweiH8147 RingeH2885 von GoldH2091 unter seinen KranzH2213 : an seine beidenH8147 SeitenH6763 sollst du sieH1992 machenH6213, an seine beidenH8147 Wände; und sie sollen zu Behältern sein fürH1004 die StangenH905, um ihn mit denselben zu tragenH5375. 5UndH6086 macheH6213 die StangenH905 von AkazienholzH7848 und überzieheH6823 sie mit GoldH2091. 6Und stelle ihnH6440 dem VorhangH6532 gegenüber, der vorH6440 der LadeH727 des ZeugnissesH5715 ist, dem Deckel gegenüber, der über dem ZeugnisH5715 ist, woselbst ichH5414 mit dir zusammenkommen werdeH3259. 7UndH7004 AaronH175 soll wohlriechendes Räucherwerk auf ihm räuchernH6999; MorgenH1242 für Morgen, wenn er die LampenH5216 zurichtetH3190, soll er es räuchernH6999; 8undH7004 wenn AaronH175 dieH8548 LampenH5216 anzündetH5927 zwischen den zwei Abenden, soll er es räuchernH6999 : ein beständiges Räucherwerk vorH6440 JehovaH3068 bei euren GeschlechternH1755. 9Ihr sollt kein fremdesH2114 Räucherwerk aufH5927 ihm opfernH5258, noch BrandopferH5930, noch SpeisopferH4503; undH7004 kein TrankopferH5262 sollt ihr auf ihn gießen. 10Und AaronH175 soll einmalH259 im JahreH8141 für dessen HörnerH7161 SühnungH3722 tun mit dem Blute des SündopfersH2403 der VersöhnungH3725; einmalH259 im JahreH8141 soll er SühnungH3722 für ihn tun bei euren GeschlechternH1755 : hochheiligH6944 ist er dem JehovaH3068. 11Und JehovaH3068 redeteH1696 zu MoseH4872 und sprachH559 : 12Wenn du die SummeH7218 der KinderH1121 IsraelH3478 aufnehmen wirst nach ihren Gemusterten, so sollen sieH6485 bei ihrer Musterung einH376 jeder eine Sühne seiner SeeleH5315 dem JehovaH3068 gebenH5414, daß keine PlageH5063 unter ihnen entstehe bei ihrer Musterung. 13Dies sollen sieH6485 gebenH5414 : jeder zu den Gemusterten Übergehende dieH5674 HälfteH4276 eines Sekels, nachH5921 dem Sekel des HeiligtumsH6944 (zwanzig H6242 H1626 Gera der Sekel) die HälfteH4276 eines Sekels als HebopferH8641 dem JehovaH3068. 14Jeder zu den Gemusterten Übergehende, von zwanzigH6242 Jahren undH8141 darüberH4605, soll das HebopferH8641 JehovasH3068 gebenH5414. 15Der ReicheH6223 soll nicht mehrH7235 gebenH5414 und der ArmeH1800 nicht wenigerH4591 als die HälfteH4276 eines Sekels, wenn ihr das HebopferH8641 JehovasH3068 gebet, um SühnungH3722 zu tun für eure SeelenH5315. 16Und du sollst das Sühngeld vonH6440 seiten der KinderH1121 IsraelH3478 nehmenH3947 und es für die ArbeitH5656 des ZeltesH168 der ZusammenkunftH4150 gebenH5414; und es soll den KindernH1121 IsraelH3478 zum GedächtnisH2146 sein vor JehovaH3068, um SühnungH3722 zu tun für eure SeelenH5315. 17Und JehovaH3068 redeteH1696 zu MoseH4872 und sprachH559 : 18MacheH6213 auch ein Becken von Erz undH5178 sein Gestell von Erz zum WaschenH7364; undH5178 setze es zwischen das ZeltH168 der ZusammenkunftH4150 und den AltarH4196 und tue WasserH4325 darein. 19Und AaronH175 und seine SöhneH1121 sollen ihre HändeH3027 und ihre FüßeH7272 daraus waschenH7364. 20Wenn sieH5066 in das ZeltH168 der ZusammenkunftH4150 hineingehenH935, sollen sie sich mit WasserH4325 waschenH7364, daß sie nicht sterbenH4191, oder wenn sie dem AltarH4196 nahen zum DienstH8334, um JehovaH3068 ein Feueropfer zu räuchernH6999. 21Und sieH2706 sollen ihre HändeH3027 und ihre FüßeH7272 waschenH7364, daß sie nicht sterbenH4191; und das soll ihnen eine ewigeH5769 Satzung sein, ihm und seinem SamenH2233 bei ihren GeschlechternH1755. 22Und JehovaH3068 redeteH1696 zu MoseH4872 und sprachH559 : 23UndH1314 du, nimmH3947 dir die besten GewürzeH1314 : von selbst ausgeflossene MyrrheH4753 fünfhundert H2568 H3967 Sekel, undH1314 würzigen Zimmet die HälfteH4276 davon, zweihundertfünfzig H3967 H2572, und Würzrohr zweihundertfünfzig H3967 H2572, 24und KassiaH6916 fünfhundert H2568 H3967, nach dem Sekel des HeiligtumsH6944, und ein HinH1969 Olivenöl; 25und macheH6213 daraus ein ÖlH8081 der heiligenH6944 SalbungH4888, eine Mischung von Gewürzsalbe, ein WerkH4639 des Salbenmischers; es soll ein ÖlH8081 der heiligenH6944 SalbungH4888 sein. 26Und du sollst damit salbenH4886 das ZeltH168 der ZusammenkunftH4150 und die LadeH727 des ZeugnissesH5715 27undH4196 den TischH7979 undH7004 alle seine GeräteH3627 und den LeuchterH4501 und seine GeräteH3627 und den Räucheraltar 28undH5930 den BrandopferaltarH4196 und alle seine GeräteH3627 und das Becken und sein Gestell, 29und du sollst sieH6942 heiligenH6944; und sieH6942 sollen hochheilig sein: alles, was sie anrührtH5060, wird heiligH6944 sein. 30Und AaronH175 und seine SöhneH1121 sollst du salbenH4886 und sollst sie heiligenH6942, um mir den Priesterdienst auszuüben. 31Und zu den KindernH1121 IsraelH3478 sollst duH559 also redenH1696 : Ein ÖlH8081 der heiligenH6944 SalbungH4888 soll mir dieses sein bei euren GeschlechternH1755. 32Auf keines MenschenH120 FleischH1320 soll man es gießen, und nach dem Verhältnis seiner Bestandteile sollt ihr keines desgleichen machenH6213; es ist heiligH6944, heiligH6944 soll es euch sein. 33WerH376 desgleichen mischt, und wer davon auf einen FremdenH2114 tut, der sollH3772 ausgerottet werdenH5414 aus seinen VölkernH5971. 34Und JehovaH3068 sprachH559 zu MoseH4872 : NimmH3947 dir wohlriechende Gewürze, StakteH7827 und Räuchermuschel und GalbanH2464, wohlriechende Gewürze und reinenH2134 WeihrauchH3828; zu gleichen Teilen sollen sie sein. 35UndH7004 macheH6213 Räucherwerk daraus, Würzwerk, ein WerkH4639 des Salbenmischers, gesalzen, reinH2889, heiligH6944. 36Und zerstoße davon zu PulverH7833, und legeH5414 davon vorH6440 das ZeugnisH5715 in das ZeltH168 der ZusammenkunftH4150, woselbst ich mit dir zusammenkommen werdeH3259; hochheiligH6944 soll es euch sein. 37UndH7004 das Räucherwerk, das du machenH6213 sollst, nach dem Verhältnis seiner Bestandteile sollt ihr es euch nicht machenH6213; heiligH6944 dem JehovaH3068 soll es dir sein. 38WerH376 desgleichen macht, um daran zuH6213 riechenH7306, der soll ausgerottet werdenH3772 aus seinen VölkernH5971.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 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 [
Exod 25:10].
2 foursquare--the meaning of which is not that it was to be entirely of a cubical form, but that upon its upper and under surface, it showed four equal sides. It was twice as high as it was broad, being twenty-one inches broad and three feet six inches high. It had "horns"; its top or flat surface was surmounted by an ornamental ledge or rim, called a crown, and it was furnished at the sides with rings for carriage. Its only accompanying piece of furniture was a golden censer or pan, in which the incense was set fire to upon the altar. Hence it was called the altar of incense, or the "golden altar" [
Exod 39:38;
Exod 40:26], from the profuse degree in which it was gilded or overlaid with the precious metal. This splendor was adapted to the early age of the church, but in later times, when the worship was to be more spiritual, the altar of incense is prophetically described as not of gold but of wood, and double the size of that in the tabernacle, because the church should be vastly extended (
Mal 1:11).
6 thou shalt put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony--which separated the holy from the most holy place. The altar was in the middle between the table of showbread and the candlestick next the holy of holies, at equal distances from the north and south walls; in other words, it occupied a spot on the outside of the great partition veil, but directly in front of the mercy seat, which was within that sacred enclosure; so that although the priest who ministered at this altar could not behold the mercy seat, he was to look towards it, and present his incense in that direction. This was a special arrangement, and it was designed to teach the important lesson that, though we cannot with the eye of sense, see the throne of grace, we must "direct our prayer to it and look up" [
Ps 5:3] (compare
2Cor 3:14;
Heb 10:20;
Rev 4:1).
7 Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense--literally, "incense of spices"--Strong aromatic substances were burnt upon this altar to counteract by their odoriferous fragrance the offensive fumes of the sacrifices; or the incense was employed in an offering of tributary homage which the Orientals used to make as a mark of honor to kings; and as God was Theocratic Ruler of Israel, His palace was not to be wanting in a usage of such significancy. Both these ends were served by this altar--that of fumigating the apartments of the sacred edifice, while the pure lambent flame, according to Oriental notions, was an honorary tribute to the majesty of Israel's King. But there was a far higher meaning in it still; for as the tabernacle was not only a palace for Israel's King, but a place of worship for Israel's God, this altar was immediately connected with a religious purpose. In the style of the sacred writers, incense was a symbol or emblem of prayer (
Ps 141:2;
Rev 5:8;
Rev 8:3). From the uniform combination of the two services, it is evident that the incense was an emblem of the prayers of sincere worshippers ascending to heaven in the cloud of perfume; and, accordingly, the priest who officiated at this altar typified the intercessory office of Christ (
Luke 1:10;
Heb 7:25).
every morning . . . at even--In every period of the national history this daily worship was scrupulously observed.
8 Aaron shall burn incense--seemingly limiting the privilege of officiating at the altar of incense to the high priest alone, and there is no doubt that he and his successors exclusively attended this altar on the great religious festivals. But "Aaron" is frequently used for the whole priestly order, and in later times, any of the priests might have officiated at this altar in rotation (
Luke 1:9).
9 Ye shall offer no strange incense--that is, of a different composition from that of which the ingredients are described so minutely.
11 When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel, &c.--Moses did so twice, and doubtless observed the law here prescribed. The tax was not levied from women, minors, old men (
Num 1:42,
Num 1:45), and the Levites (
Num 1:47), they being not numbered. Assuming the shekel of the sanctuary to be about half an ounce troy, though nothing certain is known about it, the sum payable by each individual was two and four pence. This was not a voluntary contribution, but a ransom for the soul or lives of the people. It was required from all classes alike, and a refusal to pay implied a wilful exclusion from the privileges of the sanctuary, as well as exposure to divine judgments. It was probably the same impost that was exacted from our Lord (
Matt 17:24-
Matt 17:27), and it was usually devoted to repairs and other purposes connected with the services of the sanctuary.
18 Thou shalt . . . make a laver of brass--Though not actually forming a component part of the furniture of the tabernacle, this vase was closely connected with it; and though from standing at the entrance it would be a familiar object, it possessed great interest and importance from the baptismal purposes to which it was applied. No data are given by which its form and size can be ascertained; but it was probably a miniature pattern of Solomon's--a circular basin.
his foot--supposed not to be the pedestal on which it rested, but a trough or shallow receptacle below, into which the water, let out from a cock or spout, flowed; for the way in which all Eastern people wash their hands or feet is by pouring upon them the water which falls into a basin. This laver was provided for the priests alone. But in the Christian dispensation, all believers are priests, and hence the apostle exhorts them how to draw near to God (
John 13:10;
Heb 10:22).
23 Take thou also . . . principal spices, &c.--Oil is frequently mentioned in Scripture as an emblem of sanctification, and anointing with it a means of designating objects as well as persons to the service of God. Here it is prescribed by divine authority, and the various ingredients in their several proportions described which were to compose the oil used in consecrating the furniture of the tabernacle.
myrrh--a fragrant and medicinal gum from a little known tree in Arabia.
sweet cinnamon--produced from a species of laurel or sweet bay, found chiefly in Ceylon, growing to a height of twenty feet: this spice is extracted from the inner bark, but it is not certain whether that mentioned by Moses is the same as that with which we are familiar.
sweet calamus--or sweet cane, a product of Arabia and India, of a tawny color in appearance; it is like the common cane and strongly odoriferous.
24 cassia--from the same species of tree as the cinnamon--some think the outer bark of that tree. All these together would amount to one hundred twenty pounds, troy weight.
hin--a word of Egyptian origin, equal to ten pints. Being mixed with the olive oil--no doubt of the purest kind--this composition probably remained always in a liquid state, and the strictest prohibition issued against using it for any other purpose than anointing the tabernacle and its furniture.
34 the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices--These were:
stacte--the finest myrrh;
onycha--supposed to be an odoriferous shell;
galbanum--a gum resin from an umbelliferous plant.
frankincense--a dry, resinous, aromatic gum, of a yellow color, which comes from a tree in Arabia, and is obtained by incision of the bark. This incense was placed within the sanctuary, to be at hand when the priest required to burn on the altar. The art of compounding unguents and perfumes was well known in Egypt, where sweet-scented spices were extensively used not only in common life, but in the ritual of the temples. Most of the ingredients here mentioned have been found on minute examination of mummies and other Egyptian relics; and the Israelites, therefore, would have the best opportunities of acquiring in that country the skill in pounding and mixing them which they were called to exercise in the service of the tabernacle. But the recipe for the incense as well as for the oil in the tabernacle, though it receives illustration from the customs of Egypt, was peculiar, and being prescribed by divine authority, was to be applied to no common or inferior purpose.