Exodus 30:34
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:
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נָטָ֤ף׀
stacte
H5198
נָטָ֤ף׀
stacte
Strong's:
H5198
Word #:
8 of 16
a drop; specifically, an aromatic gum (probably stacte)
וּלְבֹנָ֣ה
frankincense
H3828
וּלְבֹנָ֣ה
frankincense
Strong's:
H3828
Word #:
12 of 16
frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)
בְּבַ֖ד
of each
H905
בְּבַ֖ד
of each
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
Cross References
Exodus 37:29And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.Exodus 30:23Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,Exodus 25:6Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,Leviticus 2:15And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon: it is a meat offering.
Historical Context
The incense burned twice daily on the golden altar, filling the Holy Place with fragrant smoke. Offering strange/unauthorized incense resulted in death (Leviticus 10:1-2), emphasizing that worship must follow God's prescription.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's intercession serve as 'perfect incense' making your prayers acceptable?
- What does the forbidden counterfeiting teach about worshiping according to God's pattern?
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Analysis & Commentary
The holy incense formula—stacte, onycha, galbanum, frankincense—represents acceptable prayer. Like the anointing oil, this formula was sacred, forbidden for common use. The specific ingredients create a fragrance pleasing to God, teaching that prayer must be according to God's will to be acceptable. Christ's intercession is the perfect incense; our prayers, offered through Him, become fragrant to God (2 Corinthians 2:15).