Exodus 30:30

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that [they] may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then you are to anoint Aharon and his sons - you are to consecrate them to serve me in the office of cohen.

Berean Standard Bible:

Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to serve Me as priests.

American Standard Version:

And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thou shalt anoint^{H4886} Aaron^{H175} and his sons^{H1121}, and consecrate^{H6942} them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office^{H3547}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 30:30

1. **Themes:**
- **Consecration and Anointing:** The verse emphasizes the importance of setting apart individuals for sacred duties. Anointing Aaron and his sons with oil symbolizes their divine selection and the bestowal of God's Spirit upon them to execute their priestly responsibilities.
- **Priestly Role:** It highlights the special role of the priesthood in ancient Israel. The priests were intermediaries between God and the people, responsible for maintaining the sanctity of worship and performing religious rituals.
- **Divine Authority:** The act of anointing by Moses, as commanded by God, underscores the concept of divine authorization for religious leadership.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Exodus Narrative:** Exodus 30:30 is part of the instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the construction and operation of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings.
- **The Tabernacle:** The Tabernacle served as the center of worship and the dwelling place of God among the Israelites. The detailed instructions for its construction and the consecration of the priests were crucial for the establishment of proper worship.
- **Aaronic Priesthood:** Aaron, Moses' brother, was the first high priest of Israel, and his sons were also consecrated as priests. This established the Aaronic priesthood, which played a central role in Israel's religious life until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.
- **Covenant Relationship:** The consecration of the priests was integral to maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The priests' role was to ensure that the rituals and laws given by God were faithfully observed.

In summary, Exodus 30:30 reflects the themes of consecration, priestly ministry, and divine authority within the historical context of the establishment of the Tabernacle and the Aaronic priesthood in the time of Moses, as the Israelites were forming their religious identity and practices in the wilderness.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4886
   There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָשַׁח
   Transliteration: mâshach
   Pronunciation: maw-shakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint; anoint, paint.
   
2. Strong's Number: H175
   There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
   Pronunciation: a-har-one'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6942
   There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָדַשׁ
   Transliteration: qâdash
   Pronunciation: kaw-dash'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3547
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּהַן
   Transliteration: kâhan
   Pronunciation: kaw-han'
   Description: a primitive root, apparently meaning to mediate in religious services; but used only as denominative from כֹּהֵן; to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia; deck, be (do the office of a, execute the, minister in the) priest('s office).