Exodus 35:20
And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֥צְא֛וּ
departed
H3318
וַיֵּ֥צְא֛וּ
departed
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 7
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֥ת
And all the congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֥ת
And all the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
3 of 7
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 7
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
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 7
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Historical Context
The incense recipe included equal parts stacte (aromatic gum), onycha (mollusk shell), galbanum (resin), and frankincense (tree resin), mixed with salt. It produced a pure, aromatic smoke when burned on coals. The altar of incense was gold-overlaid acacia wood, positioned directly before the veil.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the incense offering illustrate the nature and necessity of prayer in approaching God?
- What does the prohibition against using God's incense recipe for common purposes teach about the holy versus the profane?
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Analysis & Commentary
Sweet incense for the altar (קְטֹרֶת הַסַּמִּים, ketoret ha-sammim) symbolizes prayers ascending to God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8), offered morning and evening on the golden altar before the veil. The specific recipe (30:34-38) was sacred—forbidden for common use under penalty of death—demonstrating that approaching God requires coming His way, not ours. The incense altar's position before the veil, between the Holy Place and Most Holy Place, represents prayer's access to God's throne through the mediator.