Exodus 30:7 kjv
And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
Exodus 30:7 nkjv
"Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it.
Exodus 30:7 niv
"Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps.
Exodus 30:7 esv
And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it,
Exodus 30:7 nlt
"Every morning when Aaron maintains the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar.
Exodus 30 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 29:38-39 | "Now this is what you shall offer on the altar... continual burnt offering." | Daily, regular sacrifice |
| Ex 30:1-6 | Description of the Altar of Incense made of acacia wood and gold. | The altar's sacred purpose |
| Ex 30:8 | "And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense..." | Evening ritual, continuity of incense |
| Ex 30:34-38 | Prescription of the holy incense, unique in composition and purpose. | Sanctity of holy incense |
| Lev 16:12-13 | Aaron brings burning coals and incense into the Most Holy Place. | Incense for atonement/protection |
| Num 16:46-48 | Aaron offers incense to stop the plague after Korah's rebellion. | Incense for intercession, averting wrath |
| Deut 33:10 | "...they shall put incense before Thee..." | Priestly duty to offer incense |
| 1 Chr 23:13 | "Aaron was set apart... to burn incense before the LORD forever..." | Aaron's priestly role for incense |
| 2 Chr 2:4 | Solomon describes temple's purpose to burn fragrant incense. | Purpose of the temple ritual |
| Ps 141:2 | "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense..." | Prayer symbolized by incense |
| Isa 60:6 | "They shall bring gold and frankincense..." | Gentile worship including fragrant offering |
| Mal 1:11 | "For from the rising of the sun... pure offering shall be offered..." | Prophecy of future universal worship |
| Lk 1:9-10 | Zechariah burns incense, multitude prays outside the temple. | Incense tied to prayer and worship |
| Jn 1:29 | "Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." | Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice |
| Heb 7:25 | "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost... seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." | Christ's perpetual intercession |
| Heb 9:3-4 | Describes the golden altar of incense in the Holy Place. | Location of Altar in Tabernacle |
| Heb 9:11-12 | Christ enters heavenly sanctuary, not by animal blood. | Christ's heavenly ministry, new covenant |
| Heb 10:12-14 | "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down..." | Christ's finished perfect sacrifice |
| Eph 5:2 | "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." | Christ's sacrifice as sweet aroma |
| Phil 4:18 | "But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God." | Generosity as a spiritual sacrifice |
| Rom 12:1 | "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." | Believers as living sacrifices |
| Rev 5:8 | "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down... having golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints." | Incense as prayers of saints |
| Rev 8:3-4 | "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne." | Angel offering saints' prayers with incense |
Exodus 30 verses
Exodus 30 7 Meaning
Exodus 30:7 instructs Aaron, the high priest, to burn holy incense on the Golden Altar every morning. This specific ritual was to be performed concurrently with the daily dressing, or trimming, of the lamps in the Holy Place, signifying a continuous act of worship and communion before the Lord within the Tabernacle. It symbolizes persistent prayer and adoration offered in the divine presence, providing a pleasing aroma to God.
Exodus 30 7 Context
Exodus 30:7 is part of a larger section (Ex 30:1-10) detailing the construction and prescribed use of the Altar of Incense. This altar, often called the Golden Altar, stood in the Holy Place, directly before the veil separating it from the Most Holy Place. Its purpose was distinct from the Altar of Burnt Offering in the courtyard; while the latter dealt with sin through sacrifice, the Altar of Incense facilitated a constant expression of worship and intercession in God's immediate presence. The instructions are given by God to Moses while Israel is at Mount Sinai, preparing for the construction of the Tabernacle and the establishment of priestly duties, laying the foundation for Israel's prescribed system of worship.
Exodus 30 7 Word analysis
- And Aaron shall burn: The Hebrew word for "burn" here is qatar (קָטַר), meaning "to send up smoke," specifically referring to burning incense and creating a fragrant smoke for worship. This is distinct from saraf, used for burning sacrificial flesh, highlighting the different purpose of the incense offering. Aaron, as the High Priest, performs this solemn and daily duty. This office prefigures Christ's role as the Great High Priest.
- thereon: This refers to the Altar of Incense (golden altar), signifying the specific location of this holy rite. Its proximity to the veil implied drawing near to God's presence.
- sweet incense: The Hebrew qetoret sammim (קְטֹרֶת סַמִּים) translates to "incense of spices." Exodus 30:34-38 meticulously details its specific and exclusive ingredients: stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, compounded in a particular way. This prescription underscored its sanctity, preventing its use for common purposes and distinguishing it from pagan incense practices. Its sweet aroma was to be a pleasing scent to God, contrasting with the sin and defilement that human beings carry.
- every morning: The Hebrew phrase babbôqer babôqer (בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר), literally "in the morning, in the morning," emphasizes the unceasing and habitual nature of this offering. It highlights regularity, devotion, and a continual access to God's presence, rather than occasional worship.
- when he dresseth the lamps: The phrase beheytivo et-hanerot (בְּהֵטִיבוֹ אֶת־הַנֵּרֹת) means "when he trims/prepares the lamps." This refers to the High Priest's duty to tend the golden lampstand (Menorah), trimming the wicks and refilling it with pure oil, which was done both in the morning and the evening (Ex 27:20-21).
- he shall burn it upon it: This repetition underscores the absolute necessity and regularity of the incense offering, reinforcing the primary action and linking it to the lamp maintenance. The daily tending of the lamps (symbolizing spiritual light, God's revelation) was intrinsically linked to the offering of incense (symbolizing prayer, communion with God). This implies that divine light and spiritual understanding should be accompanied by fervent, persistent prayer.
Exodus 30 7 Bonus Section
- The Scent of God's Presence: The unique and divinely prescribed "sweet incense" ensured that the Tabernacle was filled with a pleasing aroma. This served to prepare the priestly presence for interacting with a holy God, effectively counteracting the presence of human sin or defilement with holiness and beauty.
- A Polemic against Idolatry: By prescribing the exact composition and ritual for the holy incense, God prohibited its imitation or unauthorized use. This established clear boundaries against pagan practices of incense burning, which were often tied to various deities or performed illicitly, highlighting Yahweh's distinct and singular nature.
- Synergy of Light and Prayer: The synchronized tending of the lamps and burning of incense suggests that true spiritual insight (light from the menorah) should be fostered by consistent, heartfelt prayer and worship (incense). One illuminates, the other communes, forming an inseparable act of devotion.
Exodus 30 7 Commentary
Exodus 30:7 outlines a foundational daily ritual in the Tabernacle: the High Priest's morning offering of sacred incense. This act, precisely ordained by God, emphasized the constant worship and communion Israel was to maintain. The Altar of Incense, situated intimately before God's immediate presence, symbolizes that prayer and praise rise directly to God as a pleasing aroma. Its linkage with the trimming of the lamps (maintaining spiritual light) signifies that revelation and prayer are intertwined. This perpetual offering foreshadows Christ's perfect, continuous intercession for His people, being our Great High Priest who continually presents His work and our prayers before the Father.