Exodus 30 3

Exodus 30:3 kjv

And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.

Exodus 30:3 nkjv

And you shall overlay its top, its sides all around, and its horns with pure gold; and you shall make for it a molding of gold all around.

Exodus 30:3 niv

Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.

Exodus 30:3 esv

You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it.

Exodus 30:3 nlt

Overlay the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and run a gold molding around the entire altar.

Exodus 30 verses

Exodus 30 3 Meaning

Exodus 30:3 provides precise instructions for the construction of the Altar of Incense, a significant piece of Tabernacle furniture. The verse dictates that the entire surface of the altar—its flat top, all four vertical walls, and its four prominent horns—must be meticulously overlaid with pure gold. Additionally, a decorative and functional border, or "molding," of pure gold must be fashioned and placed around its top perimeter. This command emphasizes the sanctity, purity, and supreme value ascribed to the worship offered upon this altar within God's dwelling place.

Exodus 30 3 Context

Exodus 30:3 is situated within God's detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai. Prior to this, chapters 25-29 describe the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, the outer Altar of Burnt Offering, the courtyard, priestly garments, and the ordination of priests. Chapter 30 introduces new elements, starting with the Altar of Incense (vv. 1-10). This specific verse specifies the material requirements, highlighting the Altar's pure golden covering and its gold molding. Its position within the Tabernacle, before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exod 30:6), signifies its crucial role in worship as the point where the prayers and praise of God's people ascend to Him. The precise dimensions and material commands underscore the holiness of God and the reverence required in approaching Him, distinguishing Israel's divinely ordered worship from contemporary pagan practices, which often involved less precise construction or materials for their idols or altars. The exclusive use of "pure gold" for this interior altar speaks volumes about the purity and preciousness of the acts performed on it.

Exodus 30 3 Word analysis

• You shall overlay: (תְּצַפֶּה - tishpotz, from tsaphah). This Hebrew word means "to plate" or "to cover with a thin layer." It implies that the core structure of the altar was made of acacia wood (Exod 30:1), a durable and resistant wood common in the desert. This practice highlights a recurring theme: ordinary materials become sanctified and precious when designated and overlaid for God's holy use, reflecting His presence transforming the common into the sacred.
• its top: (גַּגָּהּ - gaggah). Refers to the flat upper surface of the altar where the daily burning of incense took place. The golden surface ensured a clean and sacred area for the ascending smoke.
• its walls all around: (קִירֹתָיו סָבִיב - kirotayw saviv). Denotes the four vertical sides of the altar. The command to cover "all around" emphasizes a complete and unblemished golden facade, ensuring holiness and beauty from every perspective, without any exposed common material.
• and its horns: (וְקַרְנֹתֶיהָ - ve'qeranoteyha). These were four prominent, horn-like projections extending upwards from each corner of the altar.
  • Significance: In the ancient Near East and biblical literature, horns symbolized strength, power, and authority. In the Tabernacle context, the horns of the altars had specific ceremonial functions, particularly in atonement rituals (Lev 4:7), where the blood of sin offerings was applied to them. They also provided a place of sanctuary for those seeking refuge from vengeance (1 Kgs 1:50; 2:28), emphasizing the protective and life-giving aspect associated with God's provision for sin.
• with pure gold: (זָהָב טָהוֹר - zahav tahor). This phrase specifies gold of the finest, unadulterated quality, reflecting supreme holiness, incorruptibility, and divine glory. The contrast between this "pure gold" and the "golden calf" made from molten gold (Exod 32) highlights the stark difference between God's commanded, holy usage of precious metals and their debasement in idolatry. The emphasis on "pure" signifies that only what is of the highest quality and without blemish is fit for God's dwelling and worship, foreshadowing the perfect sacrifice and purity required by Christ.
• and you shall make for it a molding of gold all around: (וְעָשִׂיתָ לּוֹ זֵר זָהָב סָבִיב - ve'asita lo zer zahav saviv). The term zer (זֵר) can refer to a crown, a border, or a rim. This molding likely served a dual purpose: aesthetic beauty, adorning the altar as a crown might adorn a king, indicating its regal status in divine worship; and practical functionality, possibly preventing incense or embers from falling off the top, creating a defined sacred boundary. Its "all around" nature again speaks to completeness and perfection in design, symbolizing God's all-encompassing holiness.

Exodus 30 3 Bonus section

The progressive use of precious metals in the Tabernacle's construction speaks volumes: bronze was used for the outer Altar of Burnt Offering in the courtyard (dealing with sin), silver for the sockets supporting the courtyard hangings (from the redemption money, Exod 38:25-28), and pure gold for all components within the Holy Place and Most Holy Place (including this altar, the ark, table, and lampstand), where God's presence was most immediate. This progression visually represented an increasing degree of holiness and intimacy with God as one moved deeper into His dwelling. The fact that the Altar of Incense, rather than being solid gold, was gold-plated wood aligns with God's design throughout the Tabernacle where the finite and earthly are transformed and made fit for the infinite and heavenly through divine command and presence.

Exodus 30 3 Commentary

Exodus 30:3 presents a meticulously detailed command for the Altar of Incense's material composition, demanding it be completely covered in "pure gold" with an added gold molding and horns. This instruction elevates the altar to the highest standard of sanctity and value, befitting its purpose as the place where the sweet-smelling incense of daily prayer and intercession would ascend directly into the divine presence. The gold, symbolic of divine glory, purity, and supreme worth, signifies that only what is perfect and unblemished is acceptable for communion with a holy God. The overlaying of acacia wood with pure gold further illustrates that God transforms and sanctifies what is ordinary for His service. The horns, critical for atonement rites, link the ascending prayers to the blood sacrifices, prefiguring Christ's unique ability to purify and make our prayers acceptable through His perfect atonement and continuous intercession in the true heavenly sanctuary. This golden altar, therefore, beautifully illustrates the profound holiness of God, the purity required in worship, and the invaluable nature of ascending prayers made potent by the shed blood of a perfect sacrifice. It reminds believers of the value God places on pure-hearted communion with Him.