Exodus 30:33

Whosoever compoundeth [any] like it, or whosoever putteth [any] of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.

Whosoever {H834}{H376} compoundeth {H7543} any like it, or whosoever putteth {H5414} any of it upon a stranger {H2114}, shall even be cut {H3772} off from his people {H5971}.

Whoever makes any like it or uses it on any unauthorized person is to be cut off from his people.'"

Anyone who mixes perfume like it or puts it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people.’”

Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, he shall be cut off from his people.

Commentary

Exodus 30:33 is a stern warning regarding the sacredness and exclusive use of the holy anointing oil, the recipe for which God had just revealed to Moses. This verse underscores the severe consequences for anyone who would replicate or misuse this specially consecrated substance.

Context

This verse concludes a specific set of divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai concerning the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle and the consecration of the priesthood. Immediately preceding, in Exodus 30:22-32, God details the precise ingredients and preparation of the holy anointing oil. This oil was not for common use but was exclusively designated for anointing the Tabernacle and its furnishings, and more importantly, for consecrating Aaron and his sons to the priestly office, as mentioned in Exodus 30:30. The prohibition in verse 33 reinforces the absolute sanctity of this oil, setting it apart from all profane use.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Consecration: The primary theme is the absolute holiness of the anointing oil. It was set apart by God for His exclusive purposes, symbolizing purity and divine presence. Any attempt to reproduce it for common use or apply it to unauthorized persons (a "stranger" or common individual) was a direct affront to its sacred status.
  • Divine Authority and Exclusivity: God alone prescribed the oil's composition and use. This command highlights His sovereignty and the principle that what God dedicates for His service cannot be tampered with or used outside of His specific instructions. It teaches reverence for divine mandates.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The penalty, "shall even be cut off from his people," signifies a severe judgment. This phrase, karat in Hebrew, often implies excommunication from the covenant community, loss of all covenant blessings, or even divine judgment leading to death. It underscores the seriousness of violating God's holy ordinances, particularly those pertaining to His worship and dedicated objects.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cut off from his people" (Hebrew: karat) is a significant legal and theological term in the Old Testament. It denotes a severe form of divine judgment or community expulsion. It implies being disinherited from the blessings of the covenant, losing one's identity within the Israelite community, and potentially facing divine wrath. It's not merely social ostracism but a spiritual severing from God's chosen nation, reflecting the gravity of profaning holy things.

Practical Application

While the specific holy anointing oil is no longer used in the same way in the New Covenant, the principles behind Exodus 30:33 remain profoundly relevant. This verse teaches us the importance of respecting God's holiness and His commands. It reminds believers:

  • To treat what is sacred with reverence, whether it be God's Word, His name, or the spiritual disciplines He has ordained.
  • That God's specific instructions for worship and service are not arbitrary but are given for our good and His glory.
  • That there are serious consequences for misusing or profaning spiritual things or attempting to manipulate divine power for personal gain or common purposes. The New Testament emphasizes the holiness of believers as a "royal priesthood", called to live set apart for God's purposes, echoing the principle of consecration.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 30:38

    Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.

  • Genesis 17:14

    And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

  • Exodus 12:15

    Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

  • Leviticus 17:9

    And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.

  • Hebrews 10:26

    For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

  • Hebrews 10:29

    Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

  • Leviticus 19:8

    Therefore [every one] that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
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