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Exodus 30:6 meaning

The LORD describes where the altar of incense was to be placed.

The LORD instructed Moses to put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony. To this point, located in the holy place is the lampstand with seven lamps (Exodus 25:31-40). The veil separated the holy place from the most holy place, where the ark was located. The high priest would pass through the holy place on his way into the most holy place. Leviticus 16:12 – 13 states that the high priest would take incense from this altar and “bring it inside the veil” when ministering in the most holy place on the Day of Atonement.

This would indicate the altar of incense was located in the holy place. However, the placement of the altar of incense has been debated. Hebrews 9:3 – 4 can be read to imply that its location was in the “Holy of Holies.” However, most believe that only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, and only once per year (Leviticus 16:30), and the incense was burned. The word translated altar in Hebrews 9:4 can also be translated “censer” which could refer to the incense-burning instrument the High Priest was to carry into the Holy of Holies.

Biblical Text:

⁶ You shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you.

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Additional Resources

Book Theme

The book of Exodus is the second book of the Torah (“law”). It continues the story of Genesis concerning the migration of the family of Jacob (the Israelites) to Egypt (Genesis 50). It describes the commissioning of Moses and Aaron as God’s representatives on earth to accomplish God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt and lead them to the Promised Land (the land of Canaan). It also relates the miraculous deliverance from Egypt beginning with the plagues on Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea. It then describes the journey to Mount Sinai and the establishment of the Mosaic covenant with the Israelites. The last part of the book involves the specifications and building of the tabernacle – the place where the Lord Himself dwelt amongst His people.

In the book of Exodus, the focus shifts to the deliverance of God’s people.

Chapter Context

In Exodus 30, the LORD gave Moses instructions on other items to be constructed. They were to be placed in the tabernacle and used in the worship of the LORD. Specifically, instructions on how to build the altar of incense, the laver, the anointing oil, and the incense.
Exodus 30 can be outlined as follows:
• The Altar of Incense (30:1 – 10)
◦ Its Construction (30:1 – 5)
◦ Its Placement (30:6)
◦ Its Use (30:7 – 10)
• The Census Offering (30:11 – 16)
• The Laver (30:17 – 21)
• The Oil and the Incense (30:22 – 38)
◦ The Oil (30:22 – 33)
◦ The Incense (30:34 – 38)

Exodus 30:6 meaning

Check out our other commentaries:

Numbers 2:18-24 meaning

Hebrews 7:1-3 meaning

Exodus 10:1-20 meaning

Matthew 5:3 meaning

Daniel 10:10-14 meaning

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