Exodus 30:31

Authorized King James Version

And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְאֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּנֵ֥י

H1121

unto the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

תְּדַבֵּ֣ר

H1696

And thou shalt speak

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לֵאמֹ֑ר

H559

saying

to say (used with great latitude)

שֶׁ֠מֶן

H8081

oil

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

מִשְׁחַת

H4888

anointing

unction (the act); by implication, a consecratory gift

קֹ֨דֶשׁ

H6944

This shall be an holy

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יִֽהְיֶ֥ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#10

זֶ֛ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#11

לִ֖י

#12

לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃

H1755

unto me throughout your generations

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Exodus chapter 30 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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