Exodus 30:36

And thou shalt beat [some] of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

And thou shalt beat {H7833} some of it very small {H1854}, and put {H5414} of it before {H6440} the testimony {H5715} in the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, where I will meet {H3259} with thee: it shall be unto you most {H6944} holy {H6944}.

You are to grind up some of it very finely and put it in front of the testimony in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you; you are to regard it as especially holy.

Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.

and thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

Commentary

Exodus 30:36 is part of God's detailed instructions to Moses regarding the construction and furnishing of the Tabernacle, specifically focusing on the preparation and use of the sacred incense.

Context of Exodus 30:36

This verse concludes the divine directive for making the holy incense, which began in Exodus 30:34-35. The command is to finely grind a portion of this specially formulated incense and place it "before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation." The "testimony" refers to the two tablets of the Law, which were housed within the Ark of the Covenant. This placement signifies God's intention to meet with His people at this specific, consecrated point, emphasizing the sanctity of His presence and the meticulous care required in all aspects of Tabernacle worship.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Presence and Meeting Place: The phrase "where I will meet with thee" underscores the Tabernacle's primary purpose as a dwelling place for God among His people, a sacred space for divine encounter. This promise echoes earlier declarations, such as Exodus 25:22, where God pledges to meet Moses above the mercy seat of the Ark.
  • Holiness and Sanctity: The declaration "it shall be unto you most holy" (Hebrew: qodesh qodeshim) signifies the extreme sacredness of the incense. This designation applies to anything set apart exclusively for God's use, emphasizing its untouchable and revered status. It highlights the purity and reverence required in approaching God.
  • Obedience and Precision: The detailed instructions for preparing and placing the incense demonstrate the importance of precise obedience to God's commands in worship. Every aspect of the Tabernacle and its rituals was divinely ordained, leaving no room for human innovation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase qodesh qodeshim, translated as "most holy" or "holy of holies," is a superlative construction used to denote the highest degree of sanctity. It appears frequently in descriptions of the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the sacred rituals, emphasizing that these elements were uniquely consecrated to God and were distinct from anything common or profane. The "Testimony" (Hebrew: eduth) refers specifically to the two tablets of the covenant law, serving as a witness to God's covenant with Israel and the foundation of their relationship.

Practical Application

Exodus 30:36 reminds believers today of the profound holiness of God and the reverence due to His presence. While the physical Tabernacle no longer stands, the principles it represents endure. We are now invited into God's presence not through elaborate rituals and a physical structure, but through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is our High Priest and the way to the Father (Hebrews 10:19-22). Our worship, like the incense, should be pure, intentional, and offered in spirit and truth, recognizing the sacred privilege of communion with a holy God. The meticulous care in preparing the incense can also serve as a metaphor for the careful preparation of our hearts and lives for worship and service.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 25:22

    And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

  • Leviticus 16:2

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy [place] within the vail before the mercy seat, which [is] upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

  • Exodus 16:34

    As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.

  • Exodus 30:6

    And thou shalt put it before the vail that [is] by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that [is] over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

  • Exodus 29:42

    [This shall be] a continual burnt offering throughout your generations [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

  • Exodus 29:43

    And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and [the tabernacle] shall be sanctified by my glory.
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