Exodus 30:22-25
The LORD said to Moses, “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
God doesn't just give Moses instructions for the anointing oil; the very wording "Moreover the LORD spake" highlights that this command follows closely on the heels of previous directives, emphasizing its integral place in the overall plan for worship and holiness. This isn't just a side note, but a continuous flow of divine instruction, showing how every detail matters in approaching God.
Immediately following the instructions for building the altar of incense, God speaks to Moses again, this time to reveal the specific ingredients and preparation for the holy anointing oil. This sacred oil was intended to consecrate the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as Aaron and his sons, setting them apart for God's service. The passage emphasizes the oil's uniqueness and holiness, forbidding its imitation or use for common purposes.
God didn't leave the details of His worship to chance. He directly instructed Moses on how to prepare sacred elements.
God Speaks Directly
This verse, "The LORD said to Moses," isn't just a simple statement; it's the beginning of crucial instructions for the Tabernacle's sacred elements. God's communication here is direct and authoritative. He isn't relaying a message through another prophet or angel; He is speaking to Moses personally, emphasizing the importance of what is to follow.
The Importance of Specificity
When God gives instructions, especially concerning worship, the details matter. The preparation of the holy anointing oil, described in the verses immediately following, was not a matter of personal preference or creativity. God prescribed specific spices, exact measurements, and a particular method of preparation. This meticulousness highlights that His commands are to be followed precisely, showing reverence for His holiness and the sacred purposes of these items.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Exodus 30:22-25 is available in the Sola app.
Why go to such lengths to create a special oil? It was for a holy purpose, setting things apart for God.
Consecration Through Anointing
The primary purpose of this holy anointing oil was consecration. The verses that follow detail its use in anointing the Tabernacle, the Ark, the altars, and all the sacred vessels. This act of anointing set these items apart, making them 'most holy.' Anything they touched was also made holy. This signifies that God's presence and service demand purity and separation from the common.
The Oil as a Type of the Holy Spirit
Commentators often see this oil as a prefigurement of the Holy Spirit. Just as the oil consecrated the physical Tabernacle and its furnishings, the Holy Spirit consecrates believers and empowers them for spiritual service. The oil's distinctiveness and sacred use teach us about the unique role of the Spirit in making us holy and equipping us for God's purposes. It was not to be made for common use or put on any ordinary person, underscoring its sacred, set-apart nature.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenantal name of the God of Israel, YHWH, revealing His self-existent, eternal, and faithful nature. It is the name by which He is known in personal relationship and redemptive history.
sheqel · Hebrew Noun
A basic unit of weight used in the ancient Near East, often employed in the Bible for temple offerings, taxation, and payments. The 'shekel of the sanctuary' was a standardized weight kept under priestly supervision to ensure fairness and accuracy in religious matters.
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Something set apart, consecrated, or dedicated exclusively to God's use. It signifies a state of belonging to the divine sphere, separated from common or profane use, and requires reverence and purity.
mishchah · Hebrew Noun
A mixture of oil with spices used to mark persons or objects for divine service, representing the set-apart nature of the recipient and often symbolizing the presence and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
This passage directly parallels the anointing commanded in Exodus 30, showing the application of the holy oil on Aaron and his sons, demonstrating its vital role in consecration.
Hebrews 9:14The New Testament author explains that the blood of Christ, through the eternal Spirit, purifies our conscience, drawing a parallel to the ancient anointing oil which symbolized the Spirit's work in consecration and purification.
1 Samuel 16:13This verse shows the anointing of David with oil by Samuel, illustrating how God set apart individuals for His purposes, echoing the divine appointment signified by the holy anointing oil in Exodus.
Psalm 133:2This psalm describes the anointing oil flowing down Aaron's beard as a symbol of unity and blessing, connecting the sacred oil to fellowship and divine favor within the community.
Matthew 26:7The anointing of Jesus with precious oil by a woman illustrates the deep reverence and value placed upon anointing, mirroring the sacredness and specific purpose of the holy anointing oil in the Tabernacle.
gillExodus 30:22: "Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Moreover, the Lord spake unto Moses,.... Some little time afterwards, while he was yet with him on the mount: saying; as follows.
calvinExodus 30:22-33: "Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
Tu sume tibi aromata optima: myrrhae fluidae ad quingentos siclos, cinnamomi aromatici dimidium ipsius, ducentos et quinquaginta: et calami atomatici ducentos et quinquaginta:
And of cassia five hundred shekels, after t…
God doesn't just give Moses instructions for the anointing oil; the very wording "Moreover the LORD spake" highlights that this command follows closely on the heels of previous directives, emphasizing its integral place in the overall plan for worship and holiness. This isn't just a side note, but a continuous flow of divine instruction, showing how every detail matters in approaching God.
Immediately following the instructions for building the altar of incense, God speaks to Moses again, this time to reveal the specific ingredients and preparation for the holy anointing oil. This sacred oil was intended to consecrate the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as Aaron and his sons, setting them apart for God's service. The passage emphasizes the oil's uniqueness and holiness, forbidding its imitation or use for common purposes.
Immediately following the instructions for building the altar of incense, God speaks to Moses again, this time to reveal the specific ingredients and preparation for the holy anointing oil. This sacred oil was intended to consecrate the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as Aaron and his sons, setting them apart for God's service. The passage emphasizes the oil's uniqueness and holiness, forbidding its imitation or use for common purposes.
"The LORD said to Moses, “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of ol…" — God doesn't just give Moses instructions for the anointing oil; the very wording "Moreover the LORD spake" highlights that this command follows closely on the heels of previous directives, emphasizin…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
