Exodus 30:34

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּאמֶר֩
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מֹשֶׁ֜ה
unto Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
קַח
Take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#6
לְךָ֣
H0
#7
סַמִּ֖ים
spices
an aroma
#8
נָטָ֤ף׀
stacte
a drop; specifically, an aromatic gum (probably stacte)
#9
וּשְׁחֵ֙לֶת֙
and onycha
a scale or shell, i.e., the aromatic mussel
#10
וְחֶלְבְּנָ֔ה
and galbanum
galbanam, an odorous gum (as if fatty)
#11
סַמִּ֖ים
spices
an aroma
#12
וּלְבֹנָ֣ה
frankincense
frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
#13
זַכָּ֑ה
with pure
clear
#14
בְּבַ֖ד
of each
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
#15
בְּבַ֖ד
of each
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
#16
יִֽהְיֶֽה׃
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

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 sovereignty 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 sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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