Exodus 30:32 Meaning Explained

Exodus 30:32

It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What's easy to miss here is the dual prohibition: the anointing oil wasn't for "ordinary persons" or everyday use, and you couldn't even make another like it. This emphasizes that its unique, holy nature meant it was completely set apart, not just for a special occasion, but as a constant reminder of God's sacred presence and purpose.

What Exodus 30:32 means

God instructs Moses to prepare a special, fragrant anointing oil from specific spices and olive oil, strictly forbidding its use for ordinary people or as a common perfume. This sacred oil was designated solely for anointing the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as consecrating Aaron and his sons for their priestly duties, underscoring its supreme holiness and exclusivity.

Understand the original words

Original language

ordinary personזָר

zar · Hebrew Adjective/Noun

Common, profane, or lacking the quality of sacredness; pertaining to the realm of ordinary human life as distinct from the realm of God.

Historical context

Written: Likely around 1446-1406 BC, during the Exodus period.
Author: Traditionally Moses, though the Pentateuch's final authorship is debated by scholars.
Location: Written from the wilderness of Sinai, where the Law was given.
Genre: Legal and ritual instruction within a narrative framework, featuring specific commands and prohibitions.

Key themes

01Sacred oil's exclusive use
02Divine prohibition on imitation
03Holiness set apart for God

Cross-references

Song of Solomon 1:3

This verse echoes the rich, aromatic quality of the anointing oil, comparing Christ's name and presence to 'ointment poured forth,' highlighting the preciousness and divine significance of what is holy.

Isaiah 61:1

This passage speaks of the Spirit of the Lord being upon the Messiah to anoint Him, directly paralleling the anointing of sacred persons and objects in Exodus as a prefigurement of Christ's ultimate consecration by the Holy Spirit.

1 Samuel 16:13

Here, David is anointed with oil by Samuel, illustrating the concept of divine selection and empowerment for a specific holy purpose, much like the consecrated oil in Exodus set apart individuals and items for God's service.

Hebrews 9:14

This New Testament passage refers to Christ offering himself to God 'through the eternal Spirit,' connecting the Old Testament anointing oil to the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ's perfect sacrifice and consecration, showing the oil as a type pointing to Him.

Daniel 9:24

This verse speaks of 'anointing the most holy place,' which Calvin interprets as referring to Christ Himself, the ultimate holy one, thus linking the physical anointing of the tabernacle and its vessels to the spiritual reality found in Christ.

Scholarly commentary

Exodus 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…

calvin

Exodus 30:32: "Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you."

Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured,.... That is, not upon common men, or on men's flesh in common, as was usual at feasts and entertainments in the eastern countries, see Psalm 23:5 but this was not to be used on such occasions, otherwise it was poured on the flesh of some men, as Aaron and his sons, on whose head it was p…
gill

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