Exodus 30:34

And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; [these] sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like [weight]:

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Take {H3947} unto thee sweet spices {H5561}, stacte {H5198}, and onycha {H7827}, and galbanum {H2464}; these sweet {H5561} spices {H5561} with pure {H2134} frankincense {H3828}: of each {H905} shall there be a like {H905} weight:

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Take aromatic plant substances - balsam resin, sweet onycha root and bitter galbanum gum - these spices along with frankincense, all in equal quantities;

The LORD also said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense—in equal measures,

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight;

Commentary

Exodus 30:34 details the specific ingredients and their precise measurements for the sacred incense, a critical component of worship in the Tabernacle. This instruction from the LORD to Moses underscores the divine meticulousness required for priestly service and communion with God.

Context

This verse is part of God's extensive instructions to Moses regarding the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle and the regulations for its priestly service. Following the commands for the Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1-10) and the atonement money, God prescribes the exact formula for the holy incense. This incense was to be burned daily upon the golden altar, situated directly before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, signifying the rising prayers and worship of the people to God. The strict prohibition against using this formula for common purposes, as seen in Exodus 30:37-38, emphasizes its exclusive sacredness.

Key Ingredients and Their Significance

  • Stacte: A fragrant gum resin, likely from a type of myrrh tree, known for its pleasant aroma.
  • Onycha: Derived from the operculum (lid) of certain sea snails found in the Red Sea, which, when burned, produced a unique and pungent fragrance. Some scholars suggest it may have been a root or spice.
  • Galbanum: A bitter-smelling gum resin from a parsley-like plant. Its inclusion, despite its less pleasant individual scent, highlights that God's formula was precise and possibly that even bitter elements contribute to a divinely balanced whole.
  • Pure Frankincense: A well-known fragrant resin, highly valued and often associated with offerings and anointing, representing purity and a sweet savor.

The phrase "of each shall there be a like weight" stresses the importance of precision and balance in God's commands, indicating a perfect, divinely ordained mixture, not subject to human alteration.

Key Themes

  • Holiness and Separation: The incense was declared "holy" (Hebrew: qodesh) and set apart for the LORD's exclusive use, reinforcing the concept of God's absolute purity and the need for sacred space and objects in worship.
  • Divine Prescription: This verse underscores that worship is not based on human preference or innovation but on God's specific, detailed instructions. Every aspect of Tabernacle service was divinely ordained.
  • Aromatic Worship: The rising smoke of the incense symbolized the prayers and worship of God's people ascending to Him. This imagery is carried into the New Testament, where prayers are likened to incense (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4).
  • Completeness and Purity: The precise blend of ingredients, even those with distinct individual characteristics, formed a complete and pure offering, acceptable to God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "sweet spices" here is sammim (סַמִּים), referring to fragrant substances or drugs, emphasizing their aromatic quality. The finished product was known as qetoreth (קְטֹרֶת), the holy incense, a distinct and unique compound for sacred purposes.

Practical Application

Exodus 30:34 reminds believers today of the importance of intentionality and reverence in our worship. Just as God gave precise instructions for the Tabernacle incense, He has given us His Word as a guide for how we are to live and worship Him. Our prayers and lives should be a "sweet savour" to God, offered in purity and according to His will. This verse also foreshadows Christ, who offered Himself as a perfect, fragrant sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2), making our access to God possible.

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 37:29

    And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.

  • Exodus 25:6

    Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,

  • Leviticus 2:15

    And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon: it [is] a meat offering.

  • Exodus 30:23

    Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred [shekels], and of sweet cinnamon half so much, [even] two hundred and fifty [shekels], and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty [shekels],

  • Song Of Solomon 3:6

    ¶ Who [is] this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

  • Matthew 2:11

    And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

  • Nehemiah 13:5

    And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded [to be given] to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
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