Exodus Chapter 30 · Verse 36
And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָֽׁחַקְתָּ֣
And thou shalt beat
H7833
וְשָֽׁחַקְתָּ֣
And thou shalt beat
Strong's:
H7833
Word #:
1 of 17
to comminate (by trituration or attrition)
מִמֶּנָּה֮
H4480
מִמֶּנָּה֮
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְנָֽתַתָּ֨ה
and put
H5414
וְנָֽתַתָּ֨ה
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מִמֶּ֜נָּה
H4480
מִמֶּ֜נָּה
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
לִפְנֵ֤י
of it before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֤י
of it before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּאֹ֣הֶל
in the tabernacle
H168
בְּאֹ֣הֶל
in the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
8 of 17
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵ֔ד
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֔ד
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִוָּעֵ֥ד
where I will meet
H3259
אִוָּעֵ֥ד
where I will meet
Strong's:
H3259
Word #:
11 of 17
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or positi
שָׁ֑מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֑מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
13 of 17
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
קָֽדָשִׁ֖ים
holy
H6944
קָֽדָשִׁ֖ים
holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
14 of 17
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
קָֽדָשִׁ֖ים
holy
H6944
קָֽדָשִׁ֖ים
holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
15 of 17
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
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?
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).