Exodus 30 9

Exodus 30:9 kjv

Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.

Exodus 30:9 nkjv

You shall not offer strange incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering; nor shall you pour a drink offering on it.

Exodus 30:9 niv

Do not offer on this altar any other incense or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it.

Exodus 30:9 esv

You shall not offer unauthorized incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering, and you shall not pour a drink offering on it.

Exodus 30:9 nlt

Do not offer any unholy incense on this altar, or any burnt offerings, grain offerings, or liquid offerings.

Exodus 30 verses

Exodus 30 9 Meaning

Exodus 30:9 prohibits the use of the Altar of Incense for any offerings other than the specific, divinely prescribed incense. It expressly forbids the burning of "strange" (unauthorized) incense, as well as placing burnt offerings, grain offerings, or pouring out drink offerings on it. This establishes the Altar of Incense's unique and holy function exclusively for the sacred cloud of intercessory prayer and worship, differentiating it from the bronze altar of sacrifice situated in the courtyard.

Exodus 30 9 Context

Exodus 30:9 is part of the divine instructions for constructing the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings, specifically detailing the Altar of Incense (Exod 30:1-10). These commands were given to Moses on Mount Sinai after the Ten Commandments, establishing the framework for Israel's worship and covenant relationship with God in the wilderness. The chapter describes the golden altar's precise dimensions, materials, and placement within the Holy Place, right before the veil separating it from the Most Holy Place. The verse's prohibition highlights the sanctity of this specific altar and its distinct purpose of bearing incense that would ascend before God. Historically, these instructions served to prevent the Israelites from adopting the polytheistic and syncretistic practices of surrounding nations, where various types of offerings might be indiscriminately performed on any altar. It underscored the absolute uniqueness and purity required in approaching the God of Israel.

Exodus 30 9 Word analysis

• You shall not (לֹא, lo'): This strong negative particle initiates an emphatic prohibition, underscoring the seriousness of the command. It's a divine imperative against any deviation from God's instruction regarding this altar.
• offer (תַּעֲלוּ, ta'alu): Lit. "you shall cause to ascend" or "you shall bring up." This verb specifically refers to burning an offering causing its smoke to rise heavenward. Its use emphasizes the direct act of sacred dedication.
• strange (זָרָה, zarah): This crucial adjective means foreign, alien, unauthorized, illicit, or profane. It denotes anything not prescribed, sanctioned, or consecrated by God. It implies an offering that is different from the divinely appointed incense. The significance is profound: God does not accept worship that originates from human innovation or defilement rather than divine instruction. It directly condemns any attempt to mix unauthorized elements into holy worship.
• incense (קְטֹרֶת, qetoret): Refers specifically to the holy blend of spices prescribed by God for the altar (Exod 30:34-38). The prohibition here against "strange incense" reaffirms that only this particular divinely composed blend, made according to the sacred formula, was acceptable.
• on it (עָלָיו, alav): Clearly specifies the Altar of Incense as the subject of the prohibition. This directs the focus to the altar's designated function.
• or a burnt offering (עֹלָה, olah): A sacrifice entirely consumed by fire, offered for atonement (e.g., Lev 1). Its placement on this altar is strictly forbidden, as it belongs solely to the large bronze Altar of Burnt Offering in the outer court.
• or a grain offering (מִנְחָה, minchah): An offering of flour or grain, sometimes accompanying other sacrifices (e.g., Lev 2). Also designated for the bronze altar.
• nor shall you pour a drink offering (נֶסֶךְ, nesech): A libation of wine or other liquids poured out as an offering (e.g., Num 15:1-10). Like the other sacrifices, it was performed on the outer altar, not the altar of incense.

Words-group analysis:

• "You shall not offer strange incense on it": This phrase draws a sharp boundary. The concept of "strange incense" highlights God's demand for purity and specific adherence in worship. Any unauthorized approach to God's presence, even through seemingly pious acts, is rejected. It emphasizes that how one worships is as critical as that one worships.
• "or a burnt offering, or a grain offering, nor shall you pour a drink offering on it": These explicit prohibitions on common sacrifices underline the Altar of Incense's singular function. Each article of the Tabernacle had a distinct purpose; conflating them would disrupt the divine order and symbolism of atonement (outer altar) and intercession (inner altar). This separation reinforces the progression of worship: sacrifice first, then approach through intercession, teaching that access to God through prayer is based on a preceding sacrifice.

Exodus 30 9 Bonus section

The specific command in Exodus 30:9 highlights the orderly nature of God's dwelling and the precision required in serving Him. The golden altar's fumes of incense are universally understood in both Jewish and Christian theology as emblematic of the prayers of God's people ascending to Him (Psa 141:2, Rev 5:8, Rev 8:3-4). To place the offerings typically associated with atonement or thanksgiving on this altar would misrepresent the order of approach: atonement (on the brazen altar) precedes the ability to offer intercessory prayer (on the golden altar) to a Holy God. This distinction foreshadows how access to God for prayer and communion is now granted through the singular, complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ, making prayer a privilege for those washed clean by His blood. The "strange" is always that which lacks God's specific authorization, whether ritualistic or ethical.

Exodus 30 9 Commentary

Exodus 30:9 articulates a fundamental principle of Old Covenant worship: God alone determines the means and methods by which He is to be approached and worshipped. The precise command to restrict the Altar of Incense to its unique, God-prescribed purpose for burning sacred incense carries immense theological weight. This altar was not to be a multipurpose sacred table, unlike some altars in pagan worship where various kinds of offerings might be indiscriminately presented. The term "strange" incense is paramount; it refers to anything that deviates from God's explicit instruction—whether an unauthorized formula, an unauthorized time, or an unauthorized intention. The sin of Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10) starkly illustrates the severity of offering "strange fire," which resonates with the principle here.

Furthermore, prohibiting burnt, grain, or drink offerings on this altar underscores its distinct symbolism. These sacrifices were dealt with at the bronze altar in the outer court, signifying atonement and the blood of substitutionary death. The golden Altar of Incense, however, resided in the Holy Place, before the veil to the Holy of Holies, representing prayer and intercession rising before God. To mix these functions would be to blur the divine design, confuse the path of atonement with that of supplication, and undermine the specific holiness designated for each instrument of worship. This verse teaches the imperative of obedient worship: only that which God commands is acceptable to Him. It establishes boundaries not for God's limitation, but for the purity and protection of human worship and understanding of divine order. This obedience anticipates the New Covenant truth that acceptable worship is "in spirit and truth," centered on Christ's once-for-all sacrifice, which validates our prayers.