Exodus 30:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the incense that you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the Lord.

NIV: Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord.

NASB: And the incense which you shall make, you shall not make in the same proportions for yourselves; it shall be holy to you for the Lord.

CSB: As for the incense you are making, you must not make any for yourselves using its formula. It is to be regarded by you as holy—belonging to the Lord.

NLT: Never use this formula to make this incense for yourselves. It is reserved for the Lord, and you must treat it as holy.

KJV: And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord.

NKJV: But as for the incense which you shall make, you shall not make any for yourselves, according to its composition. It shall be to you holy for the Lord.

Exodus 30:34–38 is a recipe for ceremonial incense. Ingredients include gum resins such as frankincense and other natural materials, including "onycha," which is made from seashells. The resulting mix cannot be used for any other purpose. This finely-ground substance is part of God's design for His sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). Israel will use the incense at the golden altar (Hebrews 9:3–4) in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:1–10).

Items described here function with other sacred objects (Exodus 25—28) constructed for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). One is a small gold-lined altar for incense. The other is a large bronze basin for ceremonial washing. The last two sets of instructions are for specially formulated anointing oil and sacred incense. Israel will establish a national tax to pay for these.

Much of Exodus is a description of the tabernacle and its components (Exodus 25—28). This is the last section of new designs given in this book. God will assign craftsmen to make the sacred objects (Exodus 31). But while Moses receives these instructions, Israel slips into idolatry (Exodus 32). The last several chapters of Exodus record how God's earlier instructions were followed with precision.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 7/1/2025 6:53:55 AM