Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:12
Then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul - This was a very important ordinance, and should be seriously considered. See Exodus 30:13 ; (note). read more
Exodus 30
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:13
Half a shekel - Each of the Israelites was ordered to give as a ransom for his soul (i.e., for his life) half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. From this we may learn, That the life of every man was considered as being forfeited to Divine justice. That the redemption money given, which was doubtless used in the service of the sanctuary, was ultimately devoted to the use and profit of those who gave it. That the standard by which the value of coin was ascertained, was... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:18
A laver of brass - כיור kiyor sometimes signifies a caldron, 1 Samuel 2:14 ; but it seems to signify any large round vessel or basin used for washing the hands and feet. There were doubtless cocks or spigots in it to draw off the water, as it is not likely the feet were put into it in order to be washed. The foot of the laver must mean the pedestal on which it stood. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:20
They shall wash with water, that they die not - This was certainly an emblematical washing; and as the hands and the feet are particularly mentioned, it must refer to the purity of their whole conduct. Their hands - all their works, their feet - all their goings, must be washed - must be holiness unto the Lord. And this washing must be repeated every time they entered into the tabernacle, or when they came near to the altar to minister. This washing was needful because the priests all... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:21
And it shall be a statute for ever - To continue, in its literal meaning, as long as the Jewish economy lasted, and, in its spiritual meaning, to the end of time. What an important lesson does this teach the ministers of the Gospel of Christ! Each time they minister in public, whether in dispensing the Word or the Sacraments, they should take heed that they have a fresh application of the grace and spirit of Christ, to do away past transgressions or unfaithfulness, and to enable them to... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:23
Take - unto thee principal spices - From this and the following verse we learn that the holy anointing oil was compounded of the following ingredients: - Pure myrrh, דרור מר mar deror , 500 shekels Sweet cinnamon, בשם קנמן kinnemon besem , 250 shekels. (probably from Arabia) Sweet calamus, בשם קנה keneh bosem , or sweet 250 shekels. cane, Jeremiah 6:20 ; - Calamus aromaticus . Cassia, קדה kiddah , ( cassia lignea ), brought 500 shekels. Also from Arabia. Olive... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:25
After the art of the apothecary - The original, רקח rokeach , signifies a compounder or confectioner; any person who compounds drugs, aromatics, etc. read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:30
Thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons - For the reason of this anointing, see Clarke's note on Exodus 29:7 . It seems that this anointing oil was an emblem of Divine teaching, and especially of those influences by which the Church of Christ was, in the beginning, guided into all truth; as is evident from the allusion to it by St. John: "Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. The anointing which ye have received from him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:34
Take unto thee sweet spices - The holy perfume was compounded of the following ingredients: Stacte - נטף nataph , supposed to be the same with what was afterwards called the balm of Jericho. Stacte is the gum which spontaneously flows from the tree which produces myrrh. See Clarke's note on Exodus 30:23 . Onycha - שחלת shecheleth , allowed by the best critics to be the unguis odoriferans described by Rumph, which is the external crust of the shell-fish purpura or murex, and... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:10
An atonement - once in a year - On the tenth day of the seventh month. See Leviticus 16:18 ; (note), etc., and the notes there. See Clarke on Leviticus 16:21 ; (note), etc. read more