Exodus 30:23 kjv
Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
Exodus 30:23 nkjv
"Also take for yourself quality spices?five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane,
Exodus 30:23 niv
"Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus,
Exodus 30:23 esv
"Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane,
Exodus 30:23 nlt
"Collect choice spices ? 12 1?2 pounds of pure myrrh, 6 1?4 pounds of fragrant cinnamon, 6 1?4 pounds of fragrant calamus,
Exodus 30 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 30:22 | "Moreover, the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Take for yourself spices..." | Introduction to anointing oil ingredients. |
| Exod 30:24-25 | "...and of cassia five hundred shekels...and you shall make of these a holy anointing oil..." | Continuation of ingredients and purpose. |
| Exod 30:31 | "And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations.’" | Strict prohibition on imitation and profane use. |
| Lev 8:10-12 | "Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle...he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him..." | Fulfillment of the command; priestly consecration. |
| Lev 21:10 | "The priest who is chief among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil is poured..." | Specifies the high priest's consecration. |
| Ps 45:8 | "All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from ivory palaces..." | Myrrh as royal fragrance and honor. |
| Song 1:13 | "My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh, that rests between my breasts." | Myrrh's pleasant aroma and close relationship. |
| Song 3:6 | "What is that coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense..." | Myrrh's luxurious and esteemed association. |
| Esth 2:12 | "When the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus...after she had completed six months with oil of myrrh..." | Myrrh used for purification and beautification. |
| Prov 7:17 | "I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon." | Myrrh as an alluring fragrance. |
| Matt 2:11 | "And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." | Myrrh as a kingly gift, often associated with death/burial for royalty. |
| Mk 15:23 | "And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it." | Myrrh as an anesthetic or pain-reliever, offered to Christ. |
| Jn 19:39-40 | "Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds...they wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews." | Myrrh's significant role in Christ's burial. |
| Isa 61:1 | "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor..." | Prophecy of the Anointed One (Messiah/Christ). |
| Lk 4:18-19 | "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor..." | Jesus fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy as the Anointed. |
| Acts 10:38 | "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." | Jesus' divine anointing for ministry. |
| 2 Cor 1:21-22 | "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and has also put his seal on us..." | Believers receiving spiritual anointing/seal of the Spirit. |
| 1 Jn 2:20 | "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge." | Believers' spiritual discernment through anointing. |
| 1 Jn 2:27 | "But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you..." | The abiding Holy Spirit's guidance in believers. |
| Heb 1:9 | "You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." | The Father's anointing of the Son (Christ) with joy. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness..." | The Church's consecrated identity as God's separated people. |
| Rom 12:1 | "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." | Practical consecration of believers in New Covenant. |
Exodus 30 verses
Exodus 30 23 Meaning
Exodus 30:23 initiates God's precise instruction to Moses regarding the composition of the sacred anointing oil. This verse specifically commands the inclusion of the finest and most excellent myrrh, designated as "pure" or "flowing" myrrh, in a significant quantity of five hundred shekels. This oil was uniquely prepared for consecrating the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests, symbolizing their sanctification and setting apart for God's exclusive use and service.
Exodus 30 23 Context
Exodus chapter 30 continues God's meticulous instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the sacred practices associated with Israel's worship. Following detailed commands for the altar of incense (vv. 1-10) and the laver (vv. 17-21), this passage (vv. 22-33) provides the specific divine formula for crafting the "holy anointing oil." This oil was crucial for sanctifying all components of the Tabernacle and, importantly, Aaron and his sons as priests, distinguishing them as set apart exclusively for God's service. Historically, the newly freed Israelites needed concrete manifestations of God's presence and the means to approach Him. This specific oil, unique in its composition and sacred purpose, served as a profound object lesson on holiness, separation, and divine enablement, contrasting sharply with common pagan unguents used for idol worship, magical rites, or mundane cosmetic purposes. God's precise command underlined His sole ownership and the unreplicable nature of His consecrated items, thereby functioning as a polemic against syncretism or profane imitation.
Exodus 30 23 Word analysis
- "Moreover": Hebrew: וְאַתָּה (ve'attah). Conjunction connecting the previous instructions with a new but related directive, emphasizing continuity within the sacred Tabernacle plans.
- "the LORD": Hebrew: יְהוָה (YHWH), the tetragrammaton, God's personal covenant name. Highlights that this command comes from the sovereign, covenant-making God of Israel.
- "spoke to Moses": Standard biblical formula, signifying direct divine revelation and authoritative command given through Moses as mediator.
- "You yourself": Hebrew: אַתָּה (attah), emphatic second-person singular pronoun. Places direct responsibility and agency upon Moses to undertake this precise task.
- "take": Hebrew: לָקַח (laqach), "to take," "to receive," "to acquire." Implies gathering specific, prescribed materials.
- "choice spices": Hebrew: בָּשָׂם רֹאשׁ (basam rosh). Literally, "head spices" or "chief spices." Signifies the finest, most excellent, and superior quality available, not just any aromatic herbs. This underscores the high standard required for anything dedicated to God.
- "of pure myrrh": Hebrew: מָר־דְּרוֹר (mor-deror).
- "Myrrh": (mor) - A bitter, aromatic resin from a tree. Known for its medicinal, embalming, and perfuming qualities. Its bitter origin yielding fragrant results can symbolize sacrifice or suffering leading to blessing, and its preservative qualities speak to enduring dedication.
- "Pure" / "Flowing": (deror) - Refers to "free-flowing," natural exudation, signifying the highest quality of resin that flows readily without external heat or processing. This natural purity reinforces the idea of something naturally excellent, given without coercion or adulteration.
- "five hundred shekels": Hebrew: חֲמֵשׁ מֵאֹות שֶׁקֶל (hamesh me'ot sheqel).
- "Five hundred": A significant, large quantity, denoting abundance and richness, far beyond a small ceremonial amount. It signifies the immense value and importance placed on this oil.
- "Shekels": A unit of weight in the ancient Near East, not currency here. Precision in measurement highlights God's exacting standards for holiness and worship. The exact weight ensures consistency and control, preventing deviation.
Exodus 30 23 Bonus section
The anointing oil was not a mere perfume but a theological symbol embodying distinct separation and divine consecration. Its multi-ingredient composition, precisely weighted, teaches that holiness is multifaceted and involves different aspects of character and purpose, all unified by divine design. The exclusive nature of this oil (explicitly stated in Exod 30:31-33) prevented any profane imitation or misuse, safeguarding its sacred function. This established a boundary: what belongs to God is for His purposes alone and cannot be replicated or casually applied by human discretion. This serves as an ancient precedent for understanding the uniqueness and non-replicable nature of divine enablement and calling.
Exodus 30 23 Commentary
Exodus 30:23 reveals God's meticulous care for what pertains to His holy presence and service. The command for the anointing oil is not merely a recipe but a divine prescription for sacredness. The "choice spices" signify the highest quality, representing the best that must be offered to God. The emphasis on "pure myrrh," specifically "free-flowing," underscores natural excellence and unadulterated dedication. Myrrh itself carries rich symbolism; its initial bitterness contrasts with its fragrant, preserving properties, foreshadowing themes of sacrifice, purity, and enduring devotion.
The substantial quantity of five hundred shekels indicates abundance, lavishness, and anointing that is not to be done sparingly, but generously. This oil serves a singular purpose: to separate items and persons from common use, dedicating them solely to Yahweh. It conveys not just fragrance, but divine enablement, distinction, and spiritual authority for ministry within the Tabernacle. This precise formula prevented imitation or common usage, guarding against profanity and underscoring that holiness is a divine attribute, imparted only by divine command. For us, this reflects the call to a consecrated life, set apart by God's Spirit (our anointing) for His purposes, marked by qualities of devotion and sacrifice.