Exodus 30:2 Komentář

Moses is, in this chapter, further instructed, I. Concerning the altar of incense (Exo 30:1-10). II. Concerning the ransom-money which the Israelites were to pay, when they were numbered (Exo 30:11-16). III. Concerning the laver of brass, which was set for the priests to wash in (Exo 30:17-21). IV. Concerning the making up of the anointing oil, and the use of it (Exo 30:22-33). V. Concerning the incense and perfume which were to be burned on the golden altar (Exo 30:34, etc.).

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 30 This chapter treats of the altar of incense, its form and use, Exo 30:1 of the ransom of the Israelites, with the half shekel when numbered, Exo 30:11 of the laver for the priests to wash their hands and feet at before service, Exo 30:17 of the anointing oil, the ingredients of it, and what was to be done with it, Exo 30:22, and of the perfume, the composition and use of it, Exo 30:34.

A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, four square shall it be,.... It was one Jewish square cubit, which is in surface, according to Bishop Cumberland, three English square feet, and about forty seven square inches; which may denote the solidity, perfection, and extensiveness of Christ's priesthood, it being unchangeable, firm, and lasting; and which passes not from one to another, and the which makes something perfect, which the law and priesthood of Aaron could not, even perfects for ever them that are sanctified; and is very extensive; the virtue of it reaches to all the elect of God, from the beginning of the world to the end of it; not his sacrifice only, but his intercession, which is principally respected; that is made for all the people of God, in all places, and in all ages, and for all things for them, both for this life, and that which is to come: and two cubits shall be the height thereof; so that it was as high again as it was long and broad: Christ, our interceding high priest, is made higher than the heavens: the horns thereof shall be of the same; of the same wood the altar itself was made: these were a sort of spires that rose up at the four corners of the altar; and the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases the words,"and of it its horns shall be erect;''which were chiefly for decoration and ornament; and may denote the honour and glory of Christ, as well as his power and ability to save, to the uttermost, all that come to God by him, or lay hold upon him, since he ever lives to make intercession.

The altar of burnt incense, Exo 30:1. Dimensions, Exo 30:2. Golden crown, Exo 30:3. Rings and staves, Exo 30:4, Exo 30:5. Where placed, Exo 30:6, Exo 30:7. Use, Exo 30:8-10. The ransom price of half a shekel, Exo 30:11-13. Who were to pay it, Exo 30:14. The rich and the poor to pay alike, Exo 30:15. The use to which it was applied, Exo 30:16. The brazen laver, and its uses, Exo 30:17-21. The holy anointing oil, and its component parts, Exo 30:22-25. To be applied to the tabernacle, ark, golden table, candlestick, altar of burnt-offerings, and the laver, Exo 30:26-29. And to Aaron and his sons, Exo 30:30. Never to be applied to any other uses, and none like it ever to be made, Exo 30:31-33. The perfume, and how made, Exo 30:34, Exo 30:35. Its use, Exo 30:36. Nothing similar to it ever to be made, Exo 30:37, Exo 30:38.

Four-square - That is, on the upper or under surface, as it showed four equal sides; but it was twice as high as it was broad, being twenty-one inches broad, and three feet six inches high. It was called, not only the altar of incense, but also the golden altar, Num 4:11. For the crown, horns, staves, etc., see on the altar of burnt-offering, Exo 27:1 (note), etc.

THE ALTAR OF INCENSE. (Exo. 30:1-38) thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon, &c.--Its material was to be like that of the ark of the testimony, but its dimensions very small [Exo 25:10].

foursquare--the meaning of which is not that it was to be entirely of a cubical form, but that upon its upper and under surface, it showed four equal sides. It was twice as high as it was broad, being twenty-one inches broad and three feet six inches high. It had "horns"; its top or flat surface was surmounted by an ornamental ledge or rim, called a crown, and it was furnished at the sides with rings for carriage. Its only accompanying piece of furniture was a golden censer or pan, in which the incense was set fire to upon the altar. Hence it was called the altar of incense, or the "golden altar" [Exo 39:38; Exo 40:26], from the profuse degree in which it was gilded or overlaid with the precious metal. This splendor was adapted to the early age of the church, but in later times, when the worship was to be more spiritual, the altar of incense is prophetically described as not of gold but of wood, and double the size of that in the tabernacle, because the church should be vastly extended (Mal 1:11).