Exodus 30 Commentary

The LORD describes how the altar of incense was to be built. The rings and the poles, used to carry the altar of incense, are also described here.

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

The high priest was to burn incense every morning and evening, resulting in incense being before the LORD all day, every day. Only certain incense could be burned, and atonement needed to be made for the altar every year.

The LORD describes what can be labeled as a "tabernacle tax." Moses was to take a census and receive a "ransom" (a half a shekel) from everyone twenty years or older. The money was to be used to maintain the tabernacle.

The LORD then describes how to make a laver (or basin). It was to be made of bronze and used by the priests to wash their hands and feet before they entered the tabernacle to serve the LORD. The account of its construction is in Exodus 38:8.

This passage concerns the oil used for anointing. Following the introduction, the LORD specifies how to make the anointing oil. Then the LORD states the purpose of the anointing oil, followed by the command to make it a permanent part of worship at the tabernacle.

The LORD describes how to make the incense, its use, and the demand for complete obedience.