CHAPTER XXX _The_ altar _of_ burnt incense, 1. _Dimensions_, 2. _Golden crown_, 3. _Rings and staves_, 4, 5. _Where placed_, 6, 7. _Use_, 8-10. _The_ ransom price _of half a shekel_, 11-13. _Who were to pay it_, 14. _The rich and the poor to pay alike_, 15. _The use to which it was applied... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:2. _FOUR-SQUARE_] That is, on the upper or under surface, as it showed four equal sides; but it was twice as _high_ as it was _broad_, being _twenty-one_ inches broad, and _three feet six inches_ high. It was called, not only the _altar of incense_, but also the _golden altar_, Numbe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:6. _BEFORE THE MERCY-SEAT THAT_ IS _OVER THE TESTIMONY_] These words in the original are supposed to be a repetition, by mistake, of the preceding clause; the word הפרכת _happarocheth_, the _veil_, being corrupted by interchanging two letters into הכפרת _haccapporeth_, the _mercy-sea... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:7. _WHEN HE DRESSETH THE LAMPS_] Prepares the _wicks_, and puts in _fresh oil_ for the evening. _SHALL BURN INCENSE UPON IT._] Where so many sacrifices were offered it was essentially necessary to have some pleasing perfume to counteract the disagreeable smells that must have arise... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:9. _NO STRANGE INCENSE_] None made in any other way. _NOR BURNT-SACRIFICE_] It should be an altar for _incense_, and for no other use.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:10. _AN ATONEMENT - ONCE IN A YEAR_] On the _tenth_ day of the _seventh_ month. See Leviticus 16:18, c., and the notes there. Leviticus 16:21, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:12. _THEN SHALL THEY GIVE EVERY MAN A RANSOM FOR HIS SOUL_] This was a very important ordinance, and should be seriously considered. See the following verse (Exodus 30:12).... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:13. _HALF A SHEKEL_] Each of the Israelites was ordered to give as a ransom for his soul (i.e., for his life) half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. From this we may learn, 1. That the life of every man was considered as being forfeited to Divine justice. 2. That... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:18. _A LAVER OF BRASS_] כיור _kiyor_ sometimes signifies a caldron, 1 Samuel 2:14; but it seems to signify any large round vessel or basin used for washing the hands and feet. There were doubtless _cocks_ or _spigots_ in it to draw off the water, as it is not likely the feet were put... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:20. _THEY SHALL WASH WITH WATER, THAT THEY DIE NOT_] This was certainly an emblematical washing; and as the _hands_ and the _feet_ are particularly mentioned, it must refer to the purity of their whole conduct. Their _hands _- all their works, their _feet _- all their goings, must b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:21. _AND IT SHALL BE A STATUTE FOR EVER_] To continue, in its literal meaning, as long as the Jewish economy lasted, and, in its spiritual meaning, to the end of time. What an important lesson does this teach the ministers of the Gospel of Christ! Each time they minister in public, w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:23. _TAKE - UNTO THEE PRINCIPAL SPICES_] From this and the following verse we learn that the holy anointing oil was compounded of the following ingredients: - _Pure myrrh_ [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:25. _AFTER THE ART OF THE APOTHECARY_] The original, רקח _rokeach_, signifies a _compounder_ or _confectioner_; any person who compounds _drugs, aromatics_, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:30. _THOU SHALT ANOINT AARON AND HIS SONS_] For the reason of this anointing, Exodus 29:7, Exodus 29:7. It seems that this anointing oil was an emblem of Divine teaching, and especially of those influences by which the Church of Christ was, in the beginning, guided into all truth; a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Exodus 30:34. _TAKE UNTO THEE SWEET SPICES_] The holy _perfume_ was compounded of the following ingredients: _STACTE_] נטף _nataph_, supposed to be the same with what was afterwards called the _balm of Jericho_. _Stacte_ is the gum which spontaneously flows from the tree which produces _myrrh... [ Continue Reading ]