Exodus 30:34 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:

Exodus 30:34 nkjv

And the LORD said to Moses: "Take sweet spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, and pure frankincense with these sweet spices; there shall be equal amounts of each.

Exodus 30:34 niv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take fragrant spices?gum resin, onycha and galbanum?and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts,

Exodus 30:34 esv

The LORD said to Moses, "Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part),

Exodus 30:34 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Gather fragrant spices ? resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum ? and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts.

Exodus 30 verses

Exodus 30 34 Meaning

Exodus 30:34 specifies four aromatic ingredients – stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense – commanded by the LORD to Moses for the creation of the sacred incense used in the Tabernacle's Holy Place. This compound was to be meticulously prepared, with each ingredient in equal proportion, emphasizing its specific purpose for worship and its holiness, distinct from common use.

Exodus 30 34 Context

Exodus 30:34 is found within a section of detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's furnishings and the rituals of its priesthood (Exo 30). Specifically, it directly follows the command for building the altar of incense (Exo 30:1-10) and describes the exclusive recipe for the "holy incense" to be burned on it (Exo 30:7-8). This holy incense was distinct from the common incense used for secular purposes, emphasizing its sacredness and its direct connection to the presence of God. The Israelites were entering a covenant relationship with God and were to learn specific, holy ways to approach and worship Him, distinguishing their practices from the idolatrous rituals of surrounding pagan nations that often involved the burning of various perfumes and offerings to deities. This prescription established a clear boundary against syncretism and polytheistic worship, asserting YHWH's uniqueness and His demand for exclusive, pure worship.

Exodus 30 34 Word analysis

• "You shall take for yourself" (וְאַתָּה קַח-לְךָ – w'attah qakh-lekha): Emphasizes Moses' direct personal responsibility in selecting and preparing these ingredients according to divine instruction. The inclusion of "for yourself" (לְךָ) could highlight personal stewardship over this holy task.
• "spices" (סַמִּים – sammim): A general term for aromatic or fragrant substances, often referring to healing drugs or perfumes. Here, it signifies the ingredients for the incense. Its plural form anticipates a mixture.
• "stacte" (נָטָף – nataf): Derived from a root meaning "to drop" or "to distill." Refers to a clear, pure, aromatic gum resin that drips from trees. It symbolizes purity and clarity, reminiscent of tears or spiritual "dropping" in devotion. Its inherent value would be high due to collection difficulty.
• "onycha" (שְׁחֵלֶת – shekhelet): Unique among the ingredients as it's typically understood to be the operculum (a hard, nail-like lid) of a specific mollusk, a type of sea snail. When burned, especially after being pulverized and treated, it releases a potent, musky, stabilizing scent. Its inclusion signifies the incorporation of diverse, even sea-sourced, elements into worship, reflecting God's sovereignty over all creation. It adds a grounding and lingering quality to the fragrance.
• "galbanum" (חֶלְבְּנָה – ḥelbanah): A bitter-smelling gum resin from various Ferula plants, known for its strong, pungent, and somewhat unpleasant odor when raw, but which contributes a complex, unique fixative property when burned in a blend. In incense, it balances sweeter notes and perhaps signifies the purifying, even discomforting, aspects of confession and repentance necessary in approaching a holy God. It's often associated with its property as an insect repellent.
• "pure frankincense" (וּלְבֹנָה זַכָּה – u’levonah zakah): Frankincense (לְבֹנָה – levonah) is a highly valued resin from Boswellia trees, renowned for its sweet, clean aroma when burned, producing white smoke. The Hebrew word `zakah` (זַכָּה) means "pure," "clear," or "bright," emphasizing the unadulterated quality required. It signifies the sweet-smelling, acceptable nature of true worship and prayer, often connected with intercession.
• "of each a proportionate part" (בַּד בְּבַד יִהְיֶה לָּךְ – bad b’vad yiheyeh lach): Literally "part by part" or "each by itself," meaning in equal measure or proportion. This strict requirement underscores the importance of precise divine instructions and balance in worship. No single element was to dominate, suggesting the harmony and completeness of the intended offering to God. It highlights order and meticulousness demanded by the Divine.

• "Take for yourself spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense": This group of words details the specific components for the holy incense. The meticulous naming of each ingredient indicates God's precise and non-negotiable requirements for worship, leaving no room for human improvisation or substitution. Each element, from earthly plant resins to sea creature components, reflects the diversity of creation dedicated to the Creator.
• "of each a proportionate part you shall have": This phrase emphasizes the precise ratios needed for the blend. It underscores that quality and purity are not enough; the specific combination in the correct measure is crucial for the incense to be acceptable and holy. This speaks to the harmony, completeness, and intentionality of true worship, where every part plays a vital role without overshadowing the others.

Exodus 30 34 Bonus section

• The selection of these specific four ingredients might have counter-cultural polemical significance. While many cultures burned various aromatics, the uniqueness of this particular precise blend, especially with the inclusion of onycha and galbanum which had complex scents not universally deemed "pleasant" on their own, underscored that this incense was not about pleasing human senses but about meeting divine standards and intentions.
• In ancient times, different cultures had various purposes for incense, including purification, warding off evil spirits, and communication with deities. By providing a precise recipe and strictly controlling its use, God asserted His nature as the one true God who demands specific, undefiled worship, contrasting with syncretistic or idolatrous practices where people would mix different perfumes and rites to appease various gods.
• The number "four" ingredients is often seen as symbolic of the world or universality (e.g., four directions), suggesting that worship using these components gathered from different realms (plant and sea) acknowledges God's sovereignty over all creation being brought into His service.

Exodus 30 34 Commentary

Exodus 30:34 unveils the divine formula for the sacred incense, a profound symbol of worship and intercession in the Tabernacle. God's meticulous prescription of four distinct ingredients – stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, each in equal measure – reveals several core truths. Firstly, it underscores God's absolute authority and specificity in matters of worship; humans are not to invent their own ways of approaching Him. Secondly, the blend itself is symbolic: the "stacte" and "frankincense" offer sweetness and purity, while the "onycha" provides depth and stability, and "galbanum," despite its initial pungent odor, serves as a crucial fixative, representing perhaps the necessity of repentance or humility within worship. The blend highlights that genuine devotion comprises diverse elements – the beautiful and perhaps the initially challenging – working in harmony. This complex, perfectly balanced fragrance ascends to God, signifying prayers and worship that are pleasing and effective because they are offered in accordance with His will. The exclusive, holy nature of this incense further separated God's people from pagan practices and prohibited the profaning of what belongs solely to Him, demanding reverence and awe for His presence.