Exodus 30:32 kjv

Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.

Exodus 30:32 nkjv

It shall not be poured on man's flesh; nor shall you make any other like it, according to its composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you.

Exodus 30:32 niv

Do not pour it on anyone else's body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred.

Exodus 30:32 esv

It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you.

Exodus 30:32 nlt

It must never be used to anoint anyone else, and you must never make any blend like it for yourselves. It is holy, and you must treat it as holy.

Exodus 30 verses

Exodus 30 32 Meaning

Exodus 30:32 sets forth an absolute and solemn prohibition concerning the holy anointing oil. It declares that this consecrated oil must never be poured upon ordinary human flesh, meaning it is not for common, personal, or secular use. Furthermore, the divine instruction strictly forbids creating any substance that replicates its specific composition. This emphasizes its singular, divinely ordained purpose and profound sacredness, underscoring that it is exclusively dedicated to Yahweh's service and not to be profaned by ordinary application or imitation. Its unique nature distinguishes it as something utterly set apart for God's holy work, demanding reverence and strict adherence to His commands regarding its usage.

Exodus 30 32 Context

Exodus Chapter 30 continues the detailed instructions for the construction and administration of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the sanctity required for all its elements and practices. Immediately preceding verse 32, God provides the precise divine recipe for the holy anointing oil (Ex 30:22-31), specifying its precious ingredients and how it is to be compounded by a perfumer. Verse 31 clearly states the oil's purpose: "This shall be My holy anointing oil throughout your generations." Therefore, verse 32 serves as a critical boundary and a stern warning immediately following the oil's composition and stated sacred purpose. Historically and culturally, the ancient Near East often employed anointing with oil for various purposes—hygiene, medicinal use, embalming, and designating royalty or religious figures. However, God's specific commands for this anointing oil were polemical, directly distinguishing the true God's meticulous demands for worship from the often haphazard or syncretistic practices of surrounding pagan cultures. It reinforced that Yahweh's holiness required unique, consecrated elements that could not be treated casually or replicated for profane purposes.

Exodus 30 32 Word analysis

• And upon man's flesh (וְעַל־בְּשַׂר אָדָם - və’al-bəsar ‘adam):
  • flesh (bəsar): Refers to the physical body of a human being.
  • man (‘adam): Signifies humanity in general, an ordinary person, emphasizing that it's not meant for the common use or self-anointing of just anyone. It highlights a fundamental separation: sacred for divine purpose, profane for human use.
• shall it not be poured: A definitive prohibition, indicating that its application is forbidden for any purpose other than what God explicitly commanded (i.e., consecrating Tabernacle articles, priests). This isn't just a suggestion; it's a direct command with serious implications for disobedience.
• neither shall ye make any like it (וּבְמַתְכֻּנְתּוֹ לֹא תַעֲשׂוּ כָּמֹהוּ - uvəmatkuntô lo’ ta‘asû kâmôhû):
  • like it (kâmôhû): Refers to its exact composition, proportions, and properties.
  • This is a command against imitation. No one was to replicate this specific formula for any personal, commercial, or even religious but unauthorized purpose. This guards its sanctity and exclusivity. It suggests God's desire for originality and distinction in sacred service.
• according to its composition: Refers back to the precise, divinely revealed recipe given in Ex 30:22-25. The instruction ensures that the unique holy purpose of the oil is maintained, prohibiting any variation in formula that might diminish its special status or permit its use for common purposes.
• it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you:
  • holy (קֹדֶשׁ - qodesh): This foundational concept in biblical theology means "set apart," "consecrated," "dedicated to God." The repetition reinforces the absolute sacredness of the oil. It implies purity, distinction, and separateness from common things.
  • unto you: For the Israelites, this meant they were to treat it with extreme reverence and not for their own benefit or according to their own designs. It belonged entirely to Yahweh and represented His unique presence and purposes.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "upon man's flesh shall it not be poured": This phrase succinctly defines the boundary of application. It prevents the sacred oil from being commodified or applied to the mundane, emphasizing that the oil's purpose is not cosmetic, medicinal, or for general blessing, but exclusively for consecration within the sacred sphere of God's worship.
• "neither shall ye make any like it according to its composition": This highlights the exclusivity of its formulation. The divine origin of the recipe means it cannot be reproduced, which prevents counterfeit and maintains its divine authority. It also speaks to God's precision and particularity in establishing His sacred items, warning against human innovation in divine matters.
• "it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you": This powerfully reiterates the status of the oil. The declarative "it is holy" establishes its intrinsic nature as sanctified by God. The imperative "it shall be holy unto you" places the responsibility on the Israelites to uphold and respect that holiness, ensuring it is always regarded as distinct and consecrated.

Exodus 30 32 Bonus section

The holy anointing oil serves as a profound typology, foreshadowing the anointing of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. Just as the physical oil was set apart and consecrated for unique, sacred purposes, so too was Christ uniquely anointed by God with the Spirit for His ultimate salvific work (Acts 10:38). Furthermore, the prohibition against common use extends conceptually to the Holy Spirit's dwelling within believers in the New Covenant. The "anointing" believers receive (1 Jn 2:20, 27) signifies the indwelling Holy Spirit, who sets believers apart for God's purpose. This spiritual anointing, like the oil, is holy and should not be grieved or profaned by treating it casually or by living a life contrary to God's will (Eph 4:30). It underscores that believers, as a "royal priesthood," are to walk in holiness, having been set apart by a divine anointing that is not to be mixed with the common or unholy ways of the world (1 Pet 2:9).

Exodus 30 32 Commentary

Exodus 30:32 establishes an impermeable boundary between the sacred and the profane regarding the holy anointing oil. This oil, made according to divine specification, was consecrated to uniquely prepare the Tabernacle and its priesthood for God's presence and service. The prohibition against its application on ordinary human flesh and the stern command not to replicate its formula underline the exclusive and transcendent holiness of God. This stricture served as a tangible reminder that Yahweh's commands concerning worship and holy objects were precise, absolute, and not open to human modification or common usage. To treat the holy anointing oil casually or to mimic its composition for unholy purposes would be an act of desecration, diminishing God's holiness and inviting divine displeasure, as demonstrated later with Nadab and Abihu. It taught reverence for divine commands and the distinction of that which is set apart for God's glory alone. In essence, it speaks to the principle that God's ways are not human ways, and His instruments for holiness demand ultimate respect and obedience.