Verse 16
16. The office of Eleazar It is the statement of Jewish commentators that Eleazar bore upon his person four burdens: “The oil of the light in his right hand, and the anointing oil in his left; the incense in his bosom, and the meat offering on his shoulder.” But it is not credible that one man should be so heavily laden, for the anointing oil alone, according to the lowest computation, weighed at least fifty pounds. Exodus 30:23-24. It is reasonable to suppose that he was specially charged with the care of these, but that he was assisted by the Levites.
Sweet incense The emblem of acceptable prayer. It was compounded of several spices and aromatic gums, (see Exodus 30:34-36,) indicating the different exercises in prayer, as adoration, confession, etc. In this minute description of the materials for the daily service with which Eleazar was charged there is no mention of the sacred fire, which had to be kept always burning. An item so important must have been provided for, and some persons must have transported and kept alive the sacred coals in a censer.
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