Exodus 30:7

And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

And Aaron {H175} shall burn {H6999} thereon sweet {H5561} incense {H7004} every morning {H1242}: when he dresseth {H3190} the lamps {H5216}, he shall burn incense {H6999} upon it.

Aharon will burn fragrant incense on it as a pleasing aroma every morning; he is to burn it when he prepares the lamps.

And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps.

And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of sweet spices: every morning, when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn it.

Commentary

Exodus 30:7 details a vital daily ritual within the Tabernacle, God's portable sanctuary among the Israelites. This verse focuses on the duties of Aaron, the high priest, at the Altar of Incense, also known as the Golden Altar, which stood in the Holy Place.

Context

This verse is part of God's meticulous instructions to Moses regarding the construction and operation of the Tabernacle and its priestly services. The Altar of Incense was positioned directly before the veil leading into the Most Holy Place. The burning of "sweet incense" was a continuous, morning and evening ritual, intertwined with the tending of the lamps on the golden lampstand (menorah) in the Holy Place (Exodus 27:20-21).

Key Themes

  • Daily Devotion and Worship: The command for Aaron to burn incense "every morning" and "when he dresseth the lamps" signifies a perpetual, unceasing act of worship and communion with God. It underscores the importance of consistent spiritual practices in the life of the people and their mediator.
  • Priestly Mediation and Intercession: Aaron, as the high priest, acted as the divinely appointed mediator between God and the people. His burning of incense was an act of intercession, representing the prayers and worship of Israel ascending to God as a pleasing aroma.
  • Symbolism of Incense: The "sweet incense" (Hebrew: qetoret sammim) was a specially prescribed mixture, symbolizing the prayers of God's people rising as a pleasing aroma to Him. This connection between incense and prayer is powerfully echoed in Psalm 141:2, which says, "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense," and in the New Testament, Revelation 5:8, where golden vials full of odours are identified as the prayers of saints.
  • Symbolism of Light: The act of "dressing the lamps" refers to trimming the wicks and replenishing the oil of the menorah, ensuring its continuous light. This perpetual light symbolized God's presence, guidance, and revelation within the Tabernacle, illuminating the path for His people. The daily tending of the lamps and burning of incense were inextricably linked, signifying the constant maintenance of both prayer and divine illumination.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sweet incense" translates the Hebrew qetoret sammim (קְטֹרֶת סַמִּים), which literally means "incense of spices." This highlights that it was not just any pleasant aroma, but a specific, divinely ordained mixture of rare and costly spices (detailed in Exodus 30:34-38), emphasizing its sacred and exclusive use for God's worship. The action of "dresseth the lamps" implies a careful, meticulous maintenance of the lampstand, ensuring the light never went out, a perpetual duty for the priests.

Practical Application

This ancient ritual offers profound and timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Consistent Prayer Life: Just as the incense was burned daily, believers are encouraged to maintain a consistent and fervent prayer life, presenting their requests, thanksgivings, and worship to God. This echoes the New Testament admonition to "pray without ceasing".
  • Christ Our High Priest: The Old Testament rituals, including Aaron's priestly duties, foreshadowed the perfect and ultimate ministry of Jesus Christ. He is our eternal High Priest, who continuously intercedes for us before God, making our prayers acceptable (Hebrews 7:25).
  • Maintaining Spiritual Light: The tending of the lamps reminds us to maintain our spiritual walk and witness, ensuring that the light of Christ shines brightly through us in the world, illuminating our path and reflecting His glory to others.
  • Reverence and Obedience: The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and its rituals underscore the importance of approaching God with reverence, humility, and obedience to His revealed will, understanding that He is holy.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 2:28 (4 votes)

    And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel [to be] my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

  • Exodus 27:20 (3 votes)

    ¶ And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.

  • Exodus 27:21 (3 votes)

    In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which [is] before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: [it shall be] a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

  • Luke 1:9 (3 votes)

    According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

  • 1 Chronicles 23:13 (3 votes)

    The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.

  • 1 Samuel 3:3 (2 votes)

    And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God [was], and Samuel was laid down [to sleep];

  • Acts 6:4 (2 votes)

    But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.