Exodus 35 28

Exodus 35:28 kjv

And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.

Exodus 35:28 nkjv

and spices and oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.

Exodus 35:28 niv

They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense.

Exodus 35:28 esv

and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense.

Exodus 35:28 nlt

They also brought spices and olive oil for the light, the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense.

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 28 Meaning

Exodus 35:28 lists crucial components among the freewill offerings brought by the Israelites for the construction and service of the Tabernacle: specific aromatic spices required for the holy anointing oil and the sweet incense, and pure olive oil designated for both the continuous light of the Menorah and as an ingredient in the holy anointing oil. These materials were essential for the sacred rituals and functioning of God's dwelling place.

Exodus 35 28 Context

Exodus chapter 35 details Moses' call for a freewill offering from the Israelite community for the construction of the Tabernacle, precisely as commanded by God. Verses 4-9 outline the specific types of materials to be donated, ranging from precious metals and fabrics to skins, wood, and oils. Verse 28 falls within this detailed inventory, highlighting specific consumables that were vital for the Tabernacle's ongoing functions and ritual purity rather than its physical structure. These items—spices for incense and anointing oil, and oil for the lamp and anointing—were of high value and specific quality, emphasizing God's requirement for the best and the holy in His worship. Historically and culturally, this generous giving reflects a profound commitment to God's instructions and the establishment of His dwelling place among His people. The strict recipes and consecrated uses of the anointing oil and sweet incense also serve as a polemic against pagan practices, which often involved aromatic materials for idolatrous purposes, contrasting them with materials consecrated solely to Yahweh for holy use, with very specific, non-replicable formulas.

Exodus 35 28 Word analysis

• and the spices (וְהַבְּשָׂמִים - vehabbsamim):

  • וְ (ve-): "And," a simple conjunction indicating continuation of the list.
  • הַבְּשָׂמִים (hab'samim): "The spices" or "aromatic balms." Derived from בָּשָׂם (basam), meaning fragrance, spice, perfume. These were not common kitchen spices but high-grade aromatics specifically required for the sacred anointing oil (Exo 30:23) and the sweet incense (Exo 30:34). They were costly and symbolized the pleasantness, purity, and sacred nature of the substances they were used to create.

• and the oil for the light (וְשֶׁמֶן הַמָּאוֹר - v'shemen hamma'or):

  • וְשֶׁמֶן (v'shemen): "And the oil." שֶׁמֶן (shemen) is "oil," typically olive oil in biblical contexts.
  • הַמָּאוֹר (hamma'or): "For the light," literally "of the lamp/light." This refers to the pure, pressed olive oil explicitly designated for fueling the lamps of the golden Menorah in the Holy Place (Exo 27:20). Its perpetual burning signified God's constant presence and spiritual illumination among His people (Lev 24:1-4). This pure oil symbolized the truth of God's Word and, often prophetically, the Holy Spirit.

• and for the anointing oil (וְשֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה - v'shemen hammishchah):

  • וְשֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה (v'shemen hammishchah): "And for the anointing oil." מִשְׁחָה (mishchah) means "anointing" or "unction." This was a specially formulated, sacred compound, distinct from ordinary oil (Exo 30:22-33). It was used exclusively for consecrating the Tabernacle, all its furnishings, and most importantly, Aaron and his sons, setting them apart for their holy office. Its specific ingredients and non-replicable nature emphasized its exclusive, sacred purpose, symbolizing consecration and divine appointment.

• and for the sweet incense (וְלִקְטֹרֶת הַסַּמִּים - v'liqtoret hassammim):

  • וְלִקְטֹרֶת (v'liqtoret): "And for the incense." קְטֹרֶת (qtoret) refers to "incense" or "smoke of sacrifice."
  • הַסַּמִּים (hassammim): "The spices" or "compounds." This refers to the "incense of spices" or "sweet incense," a specific, highly aromatic mixture to be burned daily on the Altar of Incense (Exo 30:34-38). This sacred incense symbolized the ascending prayers of the people of God before the Lord, a "sweet-smelling aroma" to Him (Psa 141:2; Rev 5:8, 8:3-4). Like the anointing oil, its formula was strictly exclusive for divine worship, forbidding common use.

• Words-group analysis: the collective offerings of Exodus 35:28:This verse groups together consumable, highly precious items crucial for the ritual functioning and maintenance of the Tabernacle's holiest elements. The listing of "spices," "oil for the light," "anointing oil," and "sweet incense" highlights the comprehensive nature of God's detailed instructions and the people's complete commitment. These items represent sensory aspects of worship—light, fragrance, and anointing—all dedicated to God. The consistent use of "and" reinforces that each element was distinct yet part of a unified, comprehensive set of sacred requirements, demonstrating the exactitude demanded in the Lord's service. The separation of the "spices" and then the specified "anointing oil" and "sweet incense" highlights that the spices were raw ingredients for these consecrated finished products.

Exodus 35 28 Bonus section

These sacred components listed in Exodus 35:28, though physical, held profound theological significance, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate work. The "oil for the light" prefigures Christ as the Light of the World (John 8:12), whose Spirit guides and illuminates believers (John 16:13). The "anointing oil" points to Jesus as the Messiah, the "Anointed One," set apart and empowered by God's Spirit for His salvific ministry (Acts 10:38). Furthermore, it represents the spiritual anointing received by believers through the Holy Spirit. The "sweet incense" foreshadows Christ's sacrifice as a "sweet-smelling aroma" to God (Eph 5:2) and reminds us that through Him, our prayers ascend as acceptable offerings. The very specificity of their recipes and dedicated use in the Tabernacle underscored their unique "holiness to the LORD," serving as a constant reminder that communion with God required a consecrated path, made fully accessible through the perfect sacrifice of Christ. These items, willingly brought by the people, demonstrate the principle of giving from the heart, where every offering contributes to a larger, divinely ordained purpose.

Exodus 35 28 Commentary

Exodus 35:28 succinctly itemizes some of the most sacred and functional consumables required for the Tabernacle and its service. These are not merely building materials but components that facilitated ongoing worship, consecration, and the representation of God's presence. The mention of "spices" generally points to the base ingredients for the specific, consecrated "anointing oil" and "sweet incense." The "oil for the light" provided the perpetual illumination in the Holy Place, a powerful symbol of God's constant presence and His guiding truth. The "anointing oil" consecrated objects and persons, setting them apart exclusively for holy service to the Lord. The "sweet incense" was offered daily as a "sweet aroma" to God, representing the prayers and worship of His people. Collectively, these elements underscore God's demand for holiness, order, and dedicated resources in worship, pointing to the spiritual reality that true devotion involves offering what is most valuable and being set apart for His purposes. Practically, believers are called to be lights (Matt 5:14), to be spiritually anointed by the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27), and to offer up prayers as spiritual incense (Psa 141:2) and their lives as a pleasing aroma to God through Christ (Eph 5:2).