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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 30:22–38.
Directions are here given for the composition of the holy anointing oil and the incense that were to be used in the service of the tabernacle; with these God was to be honoured, and therefore he would appoint the making of them; for nothing comes to God but what comes from him. 1. The holy anointing oil is here ordered to be made up the ingredients, and their quantities, are prescribed, Exo 30:23-25. Interpreters are not agreed concerning them; we are sure, in general, they were the best and fittest for the purpose; they must needs be so when the divine wisdom appointed them for the divine honour. It was to be compounded secundum artem - after the art of the apothecary (Exo 30:25); the spices, which were in all nearly half a hundred weight, were to be infused in the oil, which was to be about five or six quarts, and then strained out, leaving an admirable sweet smell in the oil. With this oil God's tent and all the furniture of it were to be anointed; it was to be used also in the consecration of the priests, Exo 30:26-30. It was to be continued throughout their generations, Exo 30:31. The tradition of the Jews is that this very oil which was prepared by Moses himself lasted till near the captivity. But bishop Patrick shows the great improbability of the tradition, and supposes that it was repeated according to the prescription here, for Solomon was anointed with it (Kg1 1:39), and some other of the kings; and all the high priests with such a quantity of it that it ran down to the skirts of the garments; and we read of the making up of this ointment (Ch1 9:30): yet all agree that in the second temple there was none of this holy oil, which he supposes was owing to a notion they had that it was not lawful to make it up, Providence overruling that want as a presage of the better unction of the Holy Ghost in gospel times, the variety of whose gifts was typified by these several sweet ingredients. To show the excellency of holiness, there was that in the tabernacle which was in the highest degree grateful both to the sight and to the smell. Christ's name is said to be as ointment poured forth (Sol 1:3), and the good name of Christians better than precious ointment, Ecc 7:1. 2. The incense which was burned upon the golden altar was prepared of sweet spices likewise, though not so rare and rich as those of which the anointing oil was compounded, Exo 30:34, Exo 30:35. This was prepared once a year (the Jews say), a pound for each day of the year, and three pounds over for the day of atonement. When it was used, it was to be beaten very small: thus it pleased the Lord to bruise the Redeemer when he offered himself for a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour. 3. Concerning both these preparations the same law is here given (Exo 30:32, Exo 30:33, Exo 30:37, Exo 30:38), that the like should not be made for any common use. Thus God would preserve in the people's minds a reverence for his own institutions, and teach us not to profane nor abuse any thing whereby God makes himself known, as those did who invented to themselves (for their common entertainments) instruments of music like David, Amo 6:5. It is a great affront to God to jest with sacred things, particularly to make sport with the word and ordinances of God, or to treat them with lightness, Mat 22:5. That which is God's peculiar must not be used as a common thing.
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Summary
Exodus 30:31 presents a foundational divine decree regarding the holy anointing oil, emphasizing its profound sacredness, exclusive divine purpose, and enduring significance within Israel's covenantal worship. This declaration unequivocally establishes the oil not merely as a ceremonial component, but as a uniquely consecrated substance, divinely set apart to facilitate the consecration of the Tabernacle and its priesthood, thereby enabling the proper and holy approach to God's presence for all successive generations.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is intricately woven into a larger section of detailed divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai, following the dramatic revelation of the Ten Commandments and the covenant stipulations. Specifically, it appears within the elaborate blueprint for the construction and consecration of the Tabernacle, its sacred furnishings, and the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood. Chapters Exodus 25, Exodus 26, Exodus 27, Exodus 28, Exodus 29, Exodus 30, Exodus 31 meticulously describe the design of the Ark, the altar of incense, the laver, and the garments for the priests. Immediately preceding this verse, God provides the precise "recipe" for the holy anointing oil in Exodus 30:22-25, detailing its specific ingredients and their proportions. Following this, Exodus 30:34-38 outlines the composition of the sacred incense, further emphasizing the meticulous nature of God's requirements for worship and the sanctity of all elements associated with His dwelling place among His people.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient Near East, anointing with oil was a common practice, often signifying appointment to office (kings, priests), healing, or hospitality. However, the holy anointing oil prescribed in Exodus was distinct and unparalleled. Unlike common oils, this specific compound was divinely commanded and explicitly forbidden for ordinary use or application on common persons (Exodus 30:32-33). Its purpose was solely to consecrate the Tabernacle, its vessels, and the priests, setting them apart as "holy unto the Lord" (Exodus 29). This act of anointing transformed objects and individuals from the realm of the profane to the sacred, making them fit for divine service and enabling God's presence to dwell among His people. This unique, divinely ordained anointing underscored Israel's distinct covenant relationship with Yahweh, emphasizing His absolute holiness and the necessity of ritual purity for approaching Him.
Key Themes
Exodus 30:31 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Central among these is the theme of Holiness and Separation, highlighting God's inherent purity and His demand for a people and worship elements set apart exclusively for Him. The meticulous instructions for the oil underscore the theme of Divine Order and Specificity in Worship, demonstrating that God dictates the terms of His own worship, leaving no room for human innovation in matters of sacred approach. Furthermore, the oil's role in consecrating the Tabernacle and priesthood reinforces the theme of God's Dwelling Presence among His people, emphasizing the necessary preparations for a holy God to reside amidst an unholy people. This verse, therefore, serves as a crucial link in understanding the theological framework for Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, where holiness is paramount for communion.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This foundational term (H6944) signifies 'set apart,' 'sacred,' or 'consecrated.' When something is declared qôdesh by God, it is removed from common, profane use and dedicated exclusively to His person and purposes. It implies a separation from the ordinary and an elevation to a unique status, imbued with divine significance and purity. The oil's holiness was not inherent in its ingredients but was conferred by God's decree and its designated use in His worship.
This noun (H4888) refers to the act of 'unction' or the 'anointing' itself, and by implication, the 'consecratory gift' of the oil. It denotes the physical application of the sacred oil, which served as a tangible sign of divine appointment, dedication, and the setting apart of individuals or objects for God's exclusive service. This act symbolized the impartation of holiness, authority, and purity, making the anointed fit for interaction with the divine. This term is closely related to the verb mashach, from which the title Mashiach (Messiah) derives, signifying 'the Anointed One' who is divinely commissioned for a unique redemptive purpose.
This term (H1755) signifies a 'revolution of time,' an 'age,' or a 'generation.' When used in the plural, as implied by "throughout your generations," it underscores the enduring, perpetual, and intergenerational nature of God's command. It signifies that the ordinance concerning the holy anointing oil was not a transient regulation for a specific period but a permanent statute intended to govern Israel's worship and their approach to God across all future ages, emphasizing the lasting principles of holiness and divine order.
Verse Breakdown
"And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying,"
This opening phrase highlights the divine origin and authoritative nature of the command. God directly instructs Moses to communicate this specific ordinance to the entire community of Israel, emphasizing its communal importance and the necessity of their adherence. It underscores that this is not a mere suggestion but a direct, binding word from Yahweh, intended for the collective understanding and obedience of His covenant people.
"This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me"
This is the core declaration of the verse. God Himself designates the oil as "holy," meaning it is exclusively consecrated for His use and service. The phrase "unto me" powerfully reinforces God's ownership and proprietary claim over the oil, ensuring it is not to be treated as common or used for any other purpose. Its holiness is derived solely from its divine purpose and its direct connection to God's presence and sacred worship.
"throughout your generations."
This concluding phrase establishes the perpetual nature of the command. The holy anointing oil was not a temporary provision for the wilderness generation but a perpetual statute for all future generations of Israel. This emphasizes the enduring principles of holiness, consecration, and proper worship that were to characterize Israel's relationship with God across time, ensuring that the sanctity of His presence would be maintained consistently.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that amplify its message. Divine Speech/Command is central, as the verse explicitly states that God is speaking through Moses to the children of Israel, lending absolute authority and unchallengeable weight to the instruction. The Repetition of the concept of "holiness" surrounding the Tabernacle and its elements throughout Exodus reinforces the paramount importance of purity and separation in approaching God, creating a cumulative emphasis on divine sanctity. Furthermore, the anointing oil itself functions as a powerful Symbolism. It is not merely a physical substance but a tangible representation of divine consecration, setting apart individuals and objects for God's exclusive use and imbuing them with the necessary purity and authority to interact with His sacred presence. This symbolism points to the spiritual reality of being set apart for God's purposes.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 30:31 profoundly articulates God's meticulous concern for holiness and the means by which His people can approach Him. The holy anointing oil served as a tangible expression of divine consecration, setting apart the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priesthood as distinct from the common and profane. This act of anointing was not merely ritualistic; it was a divine enablement, making objects and individuals fit for God's presence and service. This theme of separation and consecration for divine purposes runs throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing God's inherent purity and His desire for a people who reflect His character in their worship and daily lives. It foreshadows a deeper spiritual reality where God Himself provides the means for His people to be made holy and to draw near to Him, ultimately culminating in the work of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection and Application
While the specific physical anointing oil of the Old Testament was unique to the Levitical priesthood and Tabernacle worship, its underlying spiritual principles resonate deeply with believers today. The concept of being "holy unto the Lord" remains central to the Christian life. Just as the oil set apart objects and people for God's service, the Holy Spirit sets apart and empowers believers for God's work. We are called to live lives of spiritual consecration, dedicating our bodies, minds, and spirits as living sacrifices to God, holy and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1). This means intentionally choosing to separate ourselves from the world's defilements and pursuing righteousness, purity, and devotion to Christ. Our spiritual anointing by the Holy Spirit enables us to understand divine truth, empowers us for ministry, and assures us of our belonging to God. This verse reminds us that our lives, too, are meant to be set apart and consecrated for God's glory, a spiritual dedication made possible by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within us, who equips and empowers us to walk in newness of life, reflecting God's holiness to the world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the primary purpose of the holy anointing oil?
The primary purpose of the holy anointing oil, as commanded in Exodus 30:31, was to consecrate and sanctify the Tabernacle, its sacred furnishings, and the priests. This act of anointing set them apart from common use, making them holy and fit for divine service and for facilitating God's presence among His people. It was a tangible sign of divine appointment and separation for sacred purposes, ensuring that all elements of worship were dedicated exclusively to Yahweh.
Why was it strictly forbidden to reproduce or use this oil for common purposes?
God explicitly forbade the reproduction or common use of the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:32-33) to underscore its unique and sacred nature. Its holiness was derived from its divine prescription and exclusive dedication to God's service. Using it for common purposes would have profaned it, blurring the critical distinction between the sacred and the profane, and would have been an act of disrespect towards God's holiness and sovereignty. This prohibition emphasized God's absolute authority over His worship and the seriousness with which His commands were to be regarded, preventing any defilement of His sacred provisions.
Does the physical holy anointing oil still have significance for believers today?
While the physical holy anointing oil was specific to the Old Testament Tabernacle and Levitical priesthood, its significance for believers today is primarily spiritual and typological. The New Testament teaches that believers are "anointed" not with physical oil, but with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). This spiritual anointing sets us apart as God's own, empowers us for service, and enables us to understand divine truth. The Old Testament oil foreshadowed the ultimate anointing of Jesus Christ and the subsequent anointing of His church by the Holy Spirit, which is a spiritual reality, not dependent on a physical substance. This spiritual anointing signifies our adoption into God's family and our empowerment for Christian living.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Exodus 30:31, with its emphasis on the holy anointing oil and its purpose of consecration, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the true "Anointed One," the Messiah (from the Hebrew mashiach), whose anointing was not with physical oil but with the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34). The prophet Isaiah foretold this anointing, declaring that the Spirit of the Lord would be upon Him to preach good news, heal, and set captives free (Isaiah 61:1), a prophecy Jesus Himself claimed in Luke 4:18-21). Jesus was divinely set apart and consecrated by God the Father for His unique prophetic, priestly, and kingly offices, fulfilling all that the Old Testament anointing symbolized. As our great High Priest, He consecrated Himself once for all, not with oil, but with His own blood, establishing a new and living way for us to draw near to God (Hebrews 9:11-14). Through Him, believers are now part of a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), spiritually anointed by the Holy Spirit, enabling us to live consecrated lives and offer spiritual sacrifices pleasing to God. The holy anointing oil thus points forward to Christ, the perfectly consecrated One, who makes His people holy through His Spirit, establishing a new covenant of grace and access to God's presence.