Exodus 30:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Aharon is also to burn it when he lights the lamps at dusk; this is the regular burning of incense before ADONAI through all your generations.

Berean Standard Bible:

When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come.

American Standard Version:

And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Jehovah throughout your generations.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And when Aaron^{H175} lighteth^{H5927} the lamps^{H5216} at even^{H6153}, he shall burn incense^{H6999} upon it, a perpetual^{H8548} incense^{H7004} before^{H6440} the LORD^{H3068} throughout your generations^{H1755}.

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Commentary for Exodus 30:8

1. **Themes:**
- **Holiness and Worship:** The verse emphasizes the sanctity of the ritual performed by Aaron, the high priest, in the Tabernacle, which later became the Temple. The lighting of the lamps and the burning of incense are acts of worship and devotion to God.
- **Perpetuity:** The command to burn incense every evening establishes a continuous practice, indicating the ongoing nature of worship and the eternal covenant between God and the Israelites.
- **Symbolism:** The incense symbolizes the prayers of the people rising up to God, and the light from the lamps represents the divine presence and guidance.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time of Moses:** Exodus 30:8 is part of the instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the construction and rituals of the Tabernacle, which was the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt.
- **Priestly Duties:** The verse outlines specific duties of the priesthood, particularly Aaron and his descendants. Aaron, as the first high priest of Israel, is instructed to perform these rituals as part of the daily service in the sanctuary.
- **Ceremonial Law:** This command is part of the detailed ceremonial laws given to the Israelites, which included strict guidelines for worship and the role of the priesthood. These laws were meant to set Israel apart as a holy nation and to maintain the purity and sanctity of their worship.

In summary, Exodus 30:8 reflects the themes of divine worship, the perpetual commitment of religious practice, and the symbolic significance of light and incense in the rituals of the ancient Israelite priesthood. It is set against the backdrop of the Exodus, where God is establishing a unique relationship with the Israelites, marked by specific forms of worship and a distinct religious identity.

*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: 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5927
   There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָלָה
   Transliteration: ʻâlâh
   Pronunciation: aw-law'
   Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5216
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נִיר
   Transliteration: nîyr
   Pronunciation: neer
   Description: or נִר; also נֵיר; or נֵר; or (feminine) נֵרָה; from a primitive root (see נִיר; נוּר) properly, meaning to glisten; a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively); candle, lamp, light.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6153
   There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶרֶב
   Transliteration: ʻereb
   Pronunciation: eh'-reb
   Description: from עָרַב; dusk; [phrase] day, even(-ing, tide), night.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6999
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָטַר
   Transliteration: qâṭar
   Pronunciation: kaw-tar'
   Description: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants); to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship); burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice).
   
6. Strong's Number: H8548
   There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תָּמִיד
   Transliteration: tâmîyd
   Pronunciation: taw-meed'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); ellipt. the regular (daily) sacrifice; alway(-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, (n-)ever(-more), perpetual.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7004
   There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קְטֹרֶת
   Transliteration: qᵉṭôreth
   Pronunciation: ket-o'-reth
   Description: from קָטַר; a fumigation; (sweet) incense, perfume.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
10. Strong's Number: H1755
    There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דּוֹר
    Transliteration: dôwr
    Pronunciation: dore
    Description: or (shortened) דֹּר; from דּוּר; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling; age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity.