Exodus 30:23

_MOREOVER THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,_ Take thou also ... Oil is frequently mentioned in Scripture as an emblem of sanctification (cf. Zechariah 4:1), and anointing with it a symbolical means of designating objects as well as persons to the service of God. The anointing of the tabernacle therefore was an outward and visible representation of the impartation of the Spirit of God to the Church. Here it is prescribed by divine authority, and the various ingredients in their several proportions described which were to compose the oil used in consecrating the furniture of the tabernacle. MYRRH - a fragrant and medicinal gum from a little-known tree in Arabia. SWEET CINNAMON - produced from a species of laurel or sweet bay, found chiefly in Ceylon, growing to a height of 20 feet. This spice is extracted from the inner bark; but it is not certai

23._Take thou also unto thee principal spices. _Although the oil here treated of was not only destined for the anointing of the priests, but also of the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, the altars, and all the vessels, yet no fitter place occurs for discussing the sacred unction, than by connecting it with the priesthood, on which it depends. First of all its composition is described, exquisite both in expensiveness and odor; that by its very excellence and costliness the Israelites may learn that no ordinary thing is represented by it; for we have already often seen that there had been set before this rude people a splendor in sacred symbols, which might affect their external senses, so as to uplift them as it were by steps to the knowledge of spiritual things. We must now see why the priest as well as all the vessels and the other parts of the tabernacle had need of anointing. I co...

22-38 Directions are here given for making the holy anointing oil, and the incense to be used in the service of the tabernacle. To show the excellency of holiness, there was this spiced oil in the tabernacle, which was grateful to the sight and to the smell. Christ's name is as ointment poured forth, Song of Solomon 1:3, and the good name of Christians is like precious ointment, Ecclesiastes 7:1. The incense burned upon the golden altar was prepared of sweet spices. When it was used, it was to be beaten very small; thus it pleased the Lord to bruise the Redeemer, when he offered himself for a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour. The like should not be made for any common use. Thus God would keep in the people's minds reverence for his own services, and teach us not to profane or abuse any thing...

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_

Compare Exodus 37:29. Exodus 30:23 PRINCIPAL SPICES - i. e. the best spices. PURE MYRRH - Is a gum which comes from the stem of a low, thorny, ragged tree, that grows in Arabia Felix and Eastern Africa, called by botanists Balsamodendron myrrha. The word here rendered pure, is literally, “freely flowing”, an epithet which is explained by the fact that the best myrrh is said to exude spontaneously from the bark, while that of inferior quality oozes out in greater quantity from incisions made in the bark. FIVE HUNDRED SHEKELS - Probably rather more than 15 1/4 lbs. See Exo

EXPOSITION THE HOLY OIL. The composition of the oil required for anointing the priests (Exodus 29:7), the altar (_ib,_ 36), the tabernacle itself (Exodus 30:26), and its furniture (Exodus 30:27, Exodus 30:28), was a necessary matter for Moses to know, and is now declared with much minuteness; the exact weight of each spice, and the exact quantity of the olive oil being given: and finally, a warning is given against its application to any persons except the priests, or its composition for any other purpose besides the use of the sanctuary ...

TAKE THOU ALSO UNTO THEE PRINCIPAL SPICES,.... To make the anointing oil with, and are as follow: OF PURE MYRRH FIVE HUNDRED SHEKELS; it is strange that Saadiah, and so Maimonides f, should take this for musk, which comes from a beast, and is confuted by Aben Ezra from Song of Solomon 5:1 from whence it plainly appears to be what comes from a tree; and the word "mor", here used, gives the tree the name of myrrh almost in all languages. And it is justly mentioned first among the chief of spices; since, as Pliny g says, none is preferred unto the stacte or liquor that flows from it, that which is pure myrrh, unmixed, unadulterated; or "myrrh of freedom" h, which flows freely, either of itself, or, when cut, which is the best; and this was fitly used as a principal ingredient in the anointing oil, since oil was made out of it itself, called oil of myrrh,...

CHAPTER 30 THE ALTAR OF INCENSE AND THE WORSHIPPERS _ 1. The altar (Exodus 30:1)_ 2. The atonement money (Exodus 30:11) 3. The brazen laver and the unction of the Spirit (Exodus 30:22) 4. The incense (Exodus 30:34) This is a beautiful chapter, filled with blessed lessons. We have before us instructions concerning true, priestly worship. The brazen altar was of shittim wood, but this altar is of shittim wood covered with pure gold. The altar of brass tells of the work of Christ on the cross when judgment fell upon Him. There we learn in faith that our sins and guilt were fully met. The golden alta

EXODUS 30-31. P S. PRIESTLY SUPPLEMENTS. These two Chapter s form an appendix to Exodus 25-29. The golden incense altar finds no place in Exodus 25 or Exodus 26:33 or Leviticus 16 (where the annual rite of Exodus 30:10 is ignored). Instead we hear of censers in Leviticus 16:12 and Numbers 16:6 f., while the great altar in the court is called the altar, as if no other were recognised. Similarly Exodus 30:30, requiring the unction of Aaron's sons, betrays itself as later than the series of passages in which the High Priest alone receives it, being often

MYRRH. gum of Arabian thorny shrubs. SWEET CALAMUS. lemon grass of India....