Exodus 30:35
And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:
Original Language Analysis
וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ
And thou shalt make
H6213
וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ
And thou shalt make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 9
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֹתָהּ֙
H853
אֹתָהּ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה
after the art
H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה
after the art
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
5 of 9
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
מְמֻלָּ֖ח
tempered
H4414
מְמֻלָּ֖ח
tempered
Strong's:
H4414
Word #:
7 of 9
to salt whether internally (to season with salt) or externally (to rub with salt)
Cross References
Exodus 30:25And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.Leviticus 2:13And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.
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?
Related Resources
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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).