Exodus 39:38 kjv
And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,
Exodus 39:38 nkjv
the gold altar, the anointing oil, and the sweet incense; the screen for the tabernacle door;
Exodus 39:38 niv
the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;
Exodus 39:38 esv
the golden altar, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the entrance of the tent;
Exodus 39:38 nlt
the gold altar;
the anointing oil and fragrant incense;
the curtain for the entrance of the sacred tent;
Exodus 39 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 25:8-9 | Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. | Command to build the Tabernacle |
| Exo 30:1-10 | Make an altar... for the burning of incense upon it. | Instructions for the golden altar of incense |
| Exo 30:22-33 | Take thou also unto thee principal spices... a holy anointing oil. | Instructions for the anointing oil |
| Exo 30:34-38 | Take unto thee sweet spices... put some of it before the testimony. | Instructions for the sweet incense |
| Exo 26:36-37 | Make an hanging for the door of the tent... | Instructions for the Tabernacle door curtain |
| Exo 40:1-8 | Set up the tabernacle... put in the ark... and put the golden altar... | Consecration of the Tabernacle and its items |
| Lev 8:10-12 | Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all... | Moses consecrates the Tabernacle with oil |
| Psa 141:2 | Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense... | Prayer likened to ascending incense |
| Lk 1:8-10 | His lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple... | Priestly duty involving incense |
| Rev 5:8 | ...golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. | Incense as symbolic of saints' prayers |
| Rev 8:3-4 | And another angel came and stood at the altar... much incense. | Incense at the heavenly altar with prayers |
| 1 Sam 16:13 | Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him... | Anointing with oil for God's chosen leader |
| Isa 61:1 | The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me. | Anointing signifying divine commission |
| Acts 10:38 | God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power... | Jesus' anointing with the Spirit |
| 1 Jn 2:20, 27 | But ye have an unction from the Holy One... | Believers anointed by the Holy Spirit |
| Jn 14:6 | Jesus saith... I am the way... no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. | Christ is the true "door" or access point |
| Heb 9:1-2 | Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service... | Reference to Tabernacle furnishings |
| Heb 9:24 | For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands... | Earthly Tabernacle foreshadows heavenly reality |
| Heb 8:5 | Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things... | Tabernacle is a copy of heavenly pattern |
| Deut 12:32 | What thing soever I command you, observe to do it... | Emphasizes precise obedience to commands |
| Jn 1:14 | The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us... | God "tabernacling" among humanity in Christ |
Exodus 39 verses
Exodus 39 38 Meaning
Exodus 39:38 continues the meticulous inventory of items made for the Tabernacle according to the divine pattern given by the Lord. This verse specifically lists the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, and the curtain that screened the entrance to the Tabernacle proper, differentiating the holy space from the outer court. Each item served a crucial symbolic and practical function in Israel’s worship, enabling mediated fellowship with a holy God. This verse, like the surrounding text, emphasizes the Israelites' faithful execution of God’s detailed instructions for the construction of His dwelling place among them.
Exodus 39 38 Context
Exodus 39:38 is situated within the latter chapters of Exodus, which detail the construction and completion of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Chapters 25-31 record God’s precise instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai for building the Tabernacle. Chapters 35-39 then recount the actual construction, undertaken by Bezaleel, Aholiab, and the skilled craftsmen of Israel, with contributions from the people. Verse 38 is part of a detailed list of completed items presented to Moses (Exo 39:33-41), affirming that all was made "as the Lord commanded Moses" (Exo 39:42). Historically, the Tabernacle was God's dwelling place among His nomadic people in the wilderness, symbolizing His presence, holiness, and the path to atonement. Culturally, it stood in stark contrast to surrounding pagan temples; its meticulous design and materials reflected the unique and singular nature of the God of Israel, avoiding idolatrous improvisation and establishing a ritual system centered on Yahweh's commands alone.
Exodus 39 38 Word analysis
- The golden altar: (Hebrew: mizbeach hazzahav). This refers to the altar of incense, distinct from the larger brazen altar for burnt offerings in the outer court. Positioned within the Holy Place, it was made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold, signifying its extreme holiness and preciousness in God's eyes. It was where the special incense, a symbolic representation of Israel's prayers and worship, was perpetually burned, indicating continuous communion and approach to God. Its golden overlay underscores the divine nature and purity required in approaching God.
- And the anointing oil: (Hebrew: shemen hammishchah). This was a sacred and specially compounded oil, prescribed exclusively for anointing the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests (Exo 30:22-33). It consecrated objects and persons, setting them apart as holy and dedicated for God's service. The act of anointing with this oil symbolized impartation of divine enablement, sanctification, and dedication to a specific, sacred role. It points forward to the spiritual anointing by the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant.
- And the sweet incense: (Hebrew: ketoret hassamim). This was a distinct and exclusive blend of aromatic spices burned on the golden altar (Exo 30:34-38). The rising smoke was a pleasing aroma to God, serving as a powerful symbol of the prayers of God’s people ascending to Him (Psa 141:2; Rev 8:3-4). Its prohibition for common use emphasized its unique sanctity and the holiness required in all approaches to God.
- And the curtain for the door of the tabernacle: (Hebrew: masach petach ha'ohel). This was the embroidered screen or curtain that served as the entrance to the Holy Place itself, the inner sacred space of the Tabernacle where the lampstand, table of showbread, and altar of incense resided. While not the innermost veil (which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place), this curtain clearly marked the transition from the common outer court to the sanctified interior of God's dwelling, regulating access and emphasizing the graduated holiness within the Tabernacle structure.
Exodus 39 38 Bonus section
The construction of these items, as detailed throughout Exodus 39, was carried out with extraordinary attention to detail and expensive materials, signifying the immense value God places on His dwelling among His people and the worship offered to Him. The recurring phrase "as the Lord commanded Moses" (used 7 times in Exo 39 and 12 times in Exo 40) is critical. It emphasizes not only the completion of the physical Tabernacle but, more profoundly, the perfect obedience to the divine blueprint. This obedience is a central theme, stressing that God's plan for approaching Him is sovereignly determined and must be precisely followed. The New Testament writers frequently reference these Tabernacle components to explain the nature of Christ's perfect sacrifice and high priesthood, demonstrating how He fulfilled and superseded the shadows of the Old Covenant system, providing direct access to God.
Exodus 39 38 Commentary
Exodus 39:38 meticulously lists crucial components of the Tabernacle, underscoring the completion of God's dwelling according to His precise design. The golden altar signifies the acceptable approach to God through worship and prayer, continually ascending like the incense. The anointing oil embodies the consecration and divine empowerment necessary for sacred service and holy living, prefiguring the Holy Spirit's role in the lives of believers. The sweet incense represents acceptable worship and the rising prayers of the saints before God. Lastly, the curtain at the Tabernacle door highlights the careful demarcation of holy space and the controlled, prescribed access to God's presence under the Old Covenant. Together, these elements reflect God’s holiness, His desire to dwell among His people, and the mediated path to communion with Him, all meticulously fulfilled through human obedience to divine command.