Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:23

Verse 23 23.Take thou also unto thee principal spices. Although the oil here treated of was not only destined for the anointing of the priests, but also of the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, the altars, and all the vessels, yet no fitter place occurs for discussing the sacred unction, than by connecting it with the priesthood, on which it depends. First of all its composition is described, exquisite both in expensiveness and odor; that by its very excellence and costliness the Israelites... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:25

Verse 25 25.And thou shalt take it an oil of holy ointment. Although the genitive is put in the place of an epithet, as if Moses had said “a holy oil;” yet it is so called from its effect, because without it nothing is accounted pure. And assuredly the Spirit of God sanctifies ourselves and all that is ours, because without Him we are unholy, and all that belongs to us corrupt. He enjoins the use of the ceremony throughout all the generations of the ancient people, Exodus 30:31. In these words... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:1-38

The golden altar and the perfume. The golden altar was of small dimensions, a cubit in length, a cubit in breadth, and two cubits high. It was a true altar, as shown by its square shape, and by its horns. Its place was immediately in front of the vail dividing the two portions of the sanctuary, with the innermost or' which—the holy of holies—it was regarded as having the more intimate connection ( 1 Kings 6:22 ; Hebrews 9:4 ). The command was that Aaron should burn upon it sweet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:17-34

The laver and the anointing oil. I. THE LAVER ( Exodus 30:17-22 ). This was to be made of brass (bronze), and was to be placed near the door of the tabernacle between it and the altar. It was to be used by Aaron and his sons for purposes of ablution. A new symbol of the purity required in those who serve before Jehovah. The Christian contracts daily defilements in his walk, for which also daily cleansing is required (cf. John 13:10 ; 1 John 1:7 ). II. THE ANOINTING ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:23

Principal spices. The ancients recognised a vast variety of spices. Pliny notices an ointment which was composed of twenty-six ingredients, chiefly spices ( H . N . 13.2, § 18). Herodotus mentions five "principal spices" as furnished by Arabia (3:107), of which four seem to be identical with those employed in the holy oil. Pure myrrh . Literally, "myrrh of freedom," or "freely flowing myrrh." The shrub which yields myrrh ( Balsamodendron myrrha ) produces two kinds—one, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:23-25

The sweetness of the Holy anointing Oil . The holy oil had infused into it the essence of four "principal spices"—myrrh, that scents the garments of the great king ( Psalms 45:8 ; So Psalms 3:6 ); cinnamon, the choicest of the spices of distant and; sweet calamus, that exhales its best fragrance when bruised; cassia, which, together with sweet calamus, formed one of the glories of the market of Tyro ( Ezekiel 27:19 ). How passing sweet must have been the odour of these blended... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:24

Cassia . The modern cassia is the inner bark of a tree distinct from the cinnamon tree, known to botanists as Cinnamo-mum cassia, which is a native of India, Java, and the Malay peninsula. In taste and scent, it "bears a strong resemblance to cinnamon, but is more pungent and of coarser texture" (Cook). It is uncertain, however, if this is the spice here indicated. The Hebrew word used is kiddah , not ketsioth (as in Psalms 45:8 ); and it is very doubtful whether the two are identical... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:25

An oil of holy ointment. Literally, "an oil of holy anointing," or "a holy anointing oil," as our translators render in Exodus 30:31 , and also in the last clause of the present verse. An ointment compound after the art of the apothecary. Not a simple mixture of the ingredients mentioned, but the product of trained skill and knowledge applied to the materials. Jewish tradition says that the essence of each spice was extracted from it, and only these essences mingled with the olive... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:26-29

Thou shalt anoint the tabernacle . The first application of the holy oil was to be to the inanimate objects constituting the paraphernalia of worship—viz., 1 . The tabernacle itself as a whole; 2 . The furniture of the holy of holies—the ark and mercy seat; 3 . The furniture of the holy place—the show-bread table, the candlestick, and the altar of incense; and 4 . The furniture of the court—the altar of burnt-offering, and the laver. After applying the oil to these, Moses was... read more

Group of Brands