Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Exodus 30:22 - 30:33

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Exodus 30:22 - 30:33


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The Oil of Ointment

v. 22. Moreover, the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,


v. 23. Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels
(about fifteen pounds), and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,

v. 24. and of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the Sanctuary,
the standard of weight among the children of Israel at that time, and of oil olive an hin, a little more than a gallon;

v. 25. and thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary,
the man skilled in the preparing of spices and ointments. It shall be an holy anointing oil. The myrrh gum as it is found in the Arabian desert was to be mixed with costly, sweet-smelling spices, some of the finest products of the land; for this holy anointing oil was to excel in richness. "It might be said of the myrrh that it denotes that fine, higher kind of pain which enables one to overcome natural pain; cinnamon denotes the warmest feeling of light and life; the bitterness of calamus might also be noticed; but the significance of the cassia is difficult to determine. " (Lange. )

v. 26. And thou shalt anoint the Tabernacle of the Congregation therewith, and the Ark of the Testimony,


v. 27. and the table
(of showbread) and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,

v. 28. and the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels,
all the instruments used in its service, and the laver and his foot.

v. 29. And thou shalt sanctify them,
set them apart for the worship of the Lord, that they may be most holy; whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy, consecrated to the Lord. The oil of ointment was declared to be holy, because the recipe for its making was given by the Lord and because it was used for holy purposes.

v. 30. And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto Me in the priest's office.

v. 31. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto Me throughout your generations,
reserved for use in the Sanctuary and its service.

v. 32. Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured,
that is, it was not to be used for ordinary anointing of the body, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it, they were not to compound their oil for private use in these proportions; it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.

v. 33. Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger,
upon a layman, as contrasted with a priest, shall even be cut off from his people. The oil of ointment was a symbol of the Holy Ghost, who alone is able effectually to prepare a person for the service of the Lord, for the working of truly good works.