Exodus 30

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:1

Verse 1 1.And thou shalt make an altar. God now issues His commands respecting the altar of burnt incense, whereby the people were assured that the odor of the worship under the Law was sweet to Him. This ceremony indeed also prevailed among the Gentiles; whence there is frequent mention made by heathen authors of incense-burning; but what its object was they knew not themselves, nor did they care to reflect upon its proper intention, since they conceived themselves to have done all that was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:10

Verse 10 10.And Aaron shall make an atonement. We should observe here the correspondence between the two altars; for, as the Israelites were admonished that the sacrifices would not please God, unless all uncleanness were wiped away by pure and holy prayers, so also the altar of incense was purified by the sprinkling of blood, that they might learn that their prayers obtained acceptance through sacrifices. Although this was only done once a year, yet it was daily to be called to mind, in order... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:12

Verse 12 12.When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel. The tribute which God here demands at the taking of the census, is very fitly annexed to the First Commandment; for God, in making them tributary to Himself, shews that they were under His jurisdiction and power; and because He had purchased them to Himself, He willed that this voluntary gift of acknowledgment should be paid to Him. Princes, in numbering their subjects, make an estimate of their power; but God, who needs not the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:18

Verse 18 18.Thou shalt also make a laver of brass. Although this oblation was a sign of the purity which God required in His priests, yet, inasmuch as this hollow vessel (concha) or laver, which supplied the water, was a part or utensil of the sanctuary, I have thought it best to insert here what is ordained respecting it, not only as to its fashion, but also its use, which could not be well separated: for if bare mention had only been made of a laver or water-vessel, (155) the reader would... read more

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:34

Verse 34 34.Take unto thee sweet spices. This oblation might have been noticed with the others, yet, since it merely describes the composition of the incense, which is connected with the altar of incense, and in fact is but an appendage to it, I have seen no reason why I should separate them. Let the curious subtilely discuss, if they please, the ingredients themselves; it is enough for me that they were chosen at God’s will to make a very sweet smell. For I know not whether it is likely, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:1

An altar to burn incense upon. The offering of incense was an element in the religious worship of most ancient nations. In Egypt frankincense was especially used in the festivals of the god Ammon;. and on one occasion an Egyptian sovereign sent a naval expedition to Arabia for the express purpose of bringing frankincense and frankincense trees to Egypt, in connection with the Ammon feasts. The Babylonians burnt a thousand talents' weight of frankincense every year at the great festival of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:1-10

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:1-10

The symbolism of the Altar of Incense. We have seen that the ascent of incense signifies the mounting up to heaven of the grateful odour of man's earnest and heart-felt prayers. The altar, therefore, symbolises the heart which offers such prayers,— 1. IN ITS MATERIALS . The altar is of acacia wood and gold—the one a symbol of soundness and strength, the other of purity. Prayer, to be acceptable, must proceed out of a true heart—a sound, honest, sincere, strong heart—not one that... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:18

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:34

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:1-10

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands