Exodus 37 28

Exodus 37:28 kjv

And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.

Exodus 37:28 nkjv

And he made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

Exodus 37:28 niv

They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

Exodus 37:28 esv

And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

Exodus 37:28 nlt

He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

Exodus 37 verses

Exodus 37 28 Meaning

Exodus 37:28 details the creation of two vital sacred elements for the Tabernacle: the holy anointing oil and the sweet incense of aromatic spices. It highlights that these substances were not common but precisely compounded by a skilled artisan according to divine instruction. These items, along with the Tabernacle's structure, completed the essential preparations for Israel's worship, setting apart both objects and people for service to God, and enabling the approach of prayer and atonement in His presence.

Exodus 37 28 Context

Exodus 37 is situated within the extended narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, specifically detailing the fulfillment of God's instructions given earlier (Exo 25-31). Following the making of the Ark, the atonement cover, the table of showbread, the lampstand, and the altar of incense, verse 28 mentions the preparation of two crucial ritual substances: the sacred anointing oil and the sweet incense. While the previous verses focused on the physical structures and vessels, this verse addresses the non-tangible elements—mixtures that were indispensable for the rituals and operations of the Tabernacle, underscoring that every aspect of Israelite worship, down to the minutest ingredient, was precisely ordained by God and required specialized skill for its execution. Historically, during this time, other nations also used oils and incense in their religious practices, but God's commands here strictly differentiated these holy items from profane usage, emphasizing His singular holiness and exclusive claims over Israel's worship.

Exodus 37 28 Word analysis

• וְשֶׁמֶן (v'shemen): "And oil." The conjunction "and" connects these preparatory elements to the previously detailed physical structures. "Oil" is a basic, natural element, but its context here transforms it into a consecrated substance for divine purposes.
• הַמִּשְׁחָה (ha'mishchah): "the anointing." From the verb mashach (to smear, anoint). This noun specifically denotes an oil dedicated to consecration, setting objects, priests, and later kings apart for their sacred roles. It signifies divine appointment and enablement, crucial for sacred service.
• וּקְטֹרֶת (u'q'toret): "and incense." This links the sacred incense with the anointing oil, grouping two highly aromatic and ritually central components. Q'toret refers to a distinct, highly potent aromatic smoke offered as an act of worship and intercession before God.
• הַסַּמִּים (ha'sammim): "the aromatic spices." Sammim denotes a collection of costly, exotic, and fragrant botanical substances. This emphasizes the value and divine prescription of the ingredients, distinguishing this sacred incense from ordinary fragrant smokes.
• מַעֲשֵׂה רֹקֵחַ (ma'aseh roqeach): "the work of a craftsman / perfumer."
  • מַעֲשֵׂה (ma'aseh): "the work of" or "the product of." This term indicates that the anointing oil and incense were not naturally occurring, but meticulously crafted or compounded. It highlights the purposeful and intentional preparation.
  • רֹקֵחַ (roqeach): "perfumer," "apothecary," or "compounder." This specifies a highly skilled artisan, proficient in blending rare and precise quantities of aromatic ingredients. The use of this term underlines that the creation of these sacred items required specialized knowledge, accuracy, and professional dexterity, reflecting God's demand for excellence and specific execution in His worship. These items were God’s precise design carried out by a skilled human agent.

Exodus 37 28 Bonus section

The meticulous preparation of the anointing oil and sweet incense points to God's profound attention to detail in matters of worship. This reflects a divine pattern where human skill and divine inspiration converge for sacred purposes. The Spirit of God gifted individuals like Bezalel not just with general artistry, but with specific capabilities for complex work related to the sanctuary, demonstrating that all talents can be sanctified and used for God's glory. This Old Testament emphasis on "most holy" elements anticipates the New Covenant truth that believers, individually and corporately, are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation," set apart for God. Our spiritual sacrifices, including praise and prayer, are the New Testament 'incense,' offered through Christ.

Exodus 37 28 Commentary

Exodus 37:28 serves as a concise summary of two indispensable, yet intangible, sacred elements crucial for Israelite worship: the holy anointing oil and the sweet incense. The text implicitly emphasizes that divine worship encompassed more than just magnificent structures; it demanded equally specific and carefully prepared ritual substances. Both the oil and incense were "most holy to the LORD," prohibited for common use, establishing a boundary between the sacred and profane. Their precise formulation, "the work of a craftsman/perfumer," underscored that every detail of worship, from the grand design to the minute compounds, required dedicated human skill guided by divine revelation. This not only ensured adherence to God's standards but also imbued these elements with a unique spiritual significance as means by which Israel approached and served their holy God. The anointing oil set apart for divine service, prefiguring Christ's anointing and believers' spiritual anointing, while the incense symbolized worship and prayer ascending to God.