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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 30:34 The LORD also said to Moses, "Take fragrant spices--gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense--in equal measures,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/30-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/02_Exo_30_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 30:34 - The Incense" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The LORD also said to Moses, Take fragrant spices--gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense--in equal measures," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: <a href="/nkjv/exodus/30.htm">New King James Version</a> And the LORD said to Moses: “Take sweet spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, and pure frankincense with these sweet spices; there shall be equal amounts of each. <a href="/nasb_/exodus/30.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take for yourself spices—stacte, onycha, and galbanum, spices and pure frankincense; there shall be an equal part of each. <a href="/nasb/exodus/30.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, &#8220Take for yourself spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, spices with pure frankincense; there shall be an equal part of each. <a href="/nasb77/exodus/30.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take for yourself spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, spices with pure frankincense; there shall be an equal part of each. <a href="/lsb/exodus/30.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Take for yourself fragrances, stacte and onycha and galbanum, fragrances with pure frankincense; there shall be an equal part of each. <a href="/amp/exodus/30.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take sweet and fragrant spices—stacte, onycha, and galbanum, sweet and fragrant spices with pure frankincense; there shall be an equal amount of each— <a href="/csb/exodus/30.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices: stacte, onycha, and galbanum; the spices and pure frankincense are to be in equal measures. <a href="/hcsb/exodus/30.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses: &#8220Take fragrant spices: stacte, onycha, and galbanum; the spices and pure frankincense are to be in equal measures. <a href="/asv/exodus/30.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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; <a href="/erv/exodus/30.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the LORD 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; <a href="/gwt/exodus/30.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The LORD said to Moses, "Take one part fragrant spices (two kinds of gum resin and aromatic mollusk shells), and mix them with one part pure frankincense. <a href="/gnt/exodus/30.htm">Good News Translation</a> The LORD said to Moses, "Take an equal part of each of the following sweet spices--stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. <a href="/isv/exodus/30.htm">International Standard Version</a> The LORD told Moses, "Take for yourself spices: stacte, onycha, galbanum, and spices with pure frankincense, all in equal amounts. <a href="/msb/exodus/30.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The LORD also said to Moses, ?Take fragrant spices?gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense?in equal measures, <a href="/net/exodus/30.htm">NET Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses: "Take spices, gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense of equal amounts <a href="/nheb/exodus/30.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The LORD said to Moses, "Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, and onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be an equal weight; <a href="/wbt/exodus/30.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the LORD said to Moses, Take to thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: <a href="/web/exodus/30.htm">World English Bible</a> Yahweh said to Moses, “Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, onycha, and galbanum: sweet spices with pure frankincense. There shall be an equal weight of each. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/30.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And YHWH says to Moses, “Take to yourself spices—stacte, and onycha, and galbanum—spices and pure frankincense; they are part for part; <a href="/ylt/exodus/30.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Take to thee spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, spices and pure frankincense; they are part for part; <a href="/slt/exodus/30.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah will say to Moses, Take to thee aromatics, resin, and onycha, and galbanum; aromatics and pure frankincense: it shall be part for part.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/30.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the Lord said to Moses: Take unto thee spices, stacte, and onycha, galbanum of sweet savour, and the clearest frankincense, all shall be of equal weight. <a href="/cpdv/exodus/30.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And the Lord said to Moses: “Take to yourself aromatics: stacte, and onycha, galbanum of sweet odor, and the clearest frankincense, all these shall be of equal weight. <a href="/nabre/exodus/30.htm">New American Bible</a> The LORD told Moses: Take these aromatic substances: storax and onycha and galbanum, these and pure frankincense in equal parts; <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/30.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The LORD said to Moses: Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (an equal part of each),<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/30.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the LORD said to Moses, Take sweet spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum; sweet spices, with pure frankincense; of each shall there be equal weight; <a href="/hpbt/exodus/30.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And a man who will make fragrance like it and he who will give of it to a foreigner will be destroyed from his people.’”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/30.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the LORD 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. <a href="/sep/exodus/30.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the Lord said to Moses, Take for thyself sweet herbs, stacte, onycha, sweet galbanum, and transparent frankincense; there shall be and equal weight of each. <a href="/parallel/exodus/30-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=8010" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/30.htm">The Incense</a> 34<a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">The LORD also</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">Moses,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: qaḥ- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">“Take</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5561.htm" title="5561: sam·mîm (N-mp) -- Spice (used in incense). From an unused root meaning to smell sweet; an aroma.">fragrant spices—</a> <a href="/hebrew/5198.htm" title="5198: nā·ṭāp̄ (N-ms) -- A drop, an aromatic gum. From nataph; a drop; specifically, an aromatic gum.">gum resin,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7827.htm" title="7827: ū·šə·ḥê·leṯ (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- (an ingredient of the holy incense) perhaps onycha. ">onycha,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2464.htm" title="2464: wə·ḥel·bə·nāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Gum (a type used in incense). From cheleb; galbanam, an odorous gum.">galbanum,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5561.htm" title="5561: sam·mîm (N-mp) -- Spice (used in incense). From an unused root meaning to smell sweet; an aroma."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2134.htm" title="2134: zak·kāh (Adj-fs) -- Pure, clean. From zakak; clear.">and pure</a> <a href="/hebrew/3828.htm" title="3828: ū·lə·ḇō·nāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Frankincense. Or lbonah; from laban; frankincense.">frankincense—</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: baḏ (N-ms) -- Separation, a part. ">in equal measures,</a> <a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: bə·ḇaḏ (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Separation, a part. "></a> 35and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/revelation/8-3.htm">Revelation 8:3-4</a> Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. / And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel. <a href="/psalms/141-2.htm">Psalm 141:2</a> May my prayer be set before You like incense; my uplifted hands, like the evening offering. <a href="/leviticus/16-12.htm">Leviticus 16:12-13</a> Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil. / He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die. <a href="/numbers/16-46.htm">Numbers 16:46-47</a> Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.” / So Aaron took the censer as Moses had ordered and ran into the midst of the assembly. And seeing that the plague had begun among the people, he offered the incense and made atonement for the people. <a href="/2_chronicles/2-4.htm">2 Chronicles 2:4</a> Behold, I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God to dedicate to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for displaying the showbread continuously, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening as well as on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is ordained for Israel forever. <a href="/malachi/1-11.htm">Malachi 1:11</a> For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/luke/1-9.htm">Luke 1:9-11</a> he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. / And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside. / Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. <a href="/hebrews/9-4.htm">Hebrews 9:4</a> containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. <a href="/isaiah/6-6.htm">Isaiah 6:6-7</a> Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. / And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.” <a href="/1_kings/9-25.htm">1 Kings 9:25</a> Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple. <a href="/2_corinthians/2-14.htm">2 Corinthians 2:14-16</a> But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. / For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. / To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task? <a href="/matthew/2-11.htm">Matthew 2:11</a> On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. <a href="/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11</a> Before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. <a href="/1_samuel/2-28.htm">1 Samuel 2:28</a> And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites. <a href="/acts/10-4.htm">Acts 10:4</a> Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the LORD said to Moses, Take to you sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:unto thee<a href="/exodus/30-23.htm">Exodus 30:23</a> 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,<a href="/exodus/25-6.htm">Exodus 25:6</a> Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,<a href="/exodus/37-29.htm">Exodus 37:29</a> And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.stacte.<a href="/leviticus/2-1.htm">Leviticus 2:1,15</a> And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: … <a href="/leviticus/5-11.htm">Leviticus 5:11</a> But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering.<a href="/leviticus/24-7.htm">Leviticus 24:7</a> And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Amounts</a> <a href="/exodus/25-6.htm">Drugs</a> <a href="/exodus/22-17.htm">Equal</a> <a href="/exodus/30-25.htm">Fragrant</a> <a href="/revelation/18-13.htm">Frankincense</a> <a href="/genesis/43-11.htm">Gum</a> <a href="/exodus/30-22.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/29-40.htm">Part</a> <a href="/exodus/30-23.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/exodus/2-3.htm">Resin</a> <a href="/exodus/30-27.htm">Spices</a> <a href="/exodus/30-23.htm">Sweet</a> <a href="/exodus/30-24.htm">Weight</a> <a href="/genesis/49-15.htm">Weights</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/38-21.htm">Amounts</a> <a href="/exodus/31-11.htm">Drugs</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-10.htm">Equal</a> <a href="/exodus/30-35.htm">Fragrant</a> <a href="/leviticus/2-1.htm">Frankincense</a> <a href="/genesis/43-11.htm">Gum</a> <a href="/exodus/31-1.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/30-36.htm">Part</a> <a href="/exodus/30-35.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/numbers/11-7.htm">Resin</a> <a href="/exodus/31-8.htm">Spices</a> <a href="/exodus/30-38.htm">Sweet</a> <a href="/exodus/38-25.htm">Weight</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-35.htm">Weights</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 30</div>1. <a href="/exodus/30-1.htm">The altar of incense</a> 11. <a href="/exodus/30-11.htm">The ransom of souls</a> 17. <a href="/exodus/30-17.htm">The bronze basin</a> 22. <a href="/exodus/30-22.htm">The holy anointing oil</a> 34. <a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">The composition of the incense</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/30.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/30.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>The LORD also said to Moses This phrase indicates direct divine communication, emphasizing the authority and sacredness of the instructions. Moses, as the leader and mediator between God and the Israelites, receives specific guidance for worship practices. This reflects the covenant relationship established at Sinai, where God provides detailed laws and instructions for His people.Take fragrant spices Fragrant spices were integral to ancient Near Eastern religious practices, symbolizing purity and holiness. The use of spices in worship underscores the sensory experience of encountering the divine, appealing to the sense of smell as a means of drawing closer to God. This practice is echoed in the New Testament, where incense represents the prayers of the saints (<a href="/revelation/5-8.htm">Revelation 5:8</a>).gum resin Gum resin, likely referring to storax or another aromatic resin, was valued for its fragrance and preservative qualities. In biblical times, such resins were often imported from regions like Arabia and India, highlighting the interconnectedness of ancient trade routes. The use of gum resin in the incense mixture signifies the importance of offering the best and most valuable resources to God.onycha Onycha is believed to be a shellfish-derived substance used for its aromatic properties. Its inclusion in the incense mixture points to the diversity of natural resources used in worship. The precise identification of onycha remains uncertain, but its mention indicates the meticulous care in preparing offerings that are pleasing to God.galbanum Galbanum is a resin with a strong, earthy scent, often used in combination with other fragrances to create a balanced aroma. Its use in the incense mixture suggests the blending of different elements to produce a harmonious offering. This can be seen as a metaphor for the unity and diversity within the body of believers, each contributing their unique gifts to the worship of God.and pure frankincense Frankincense, a highly prized resin, was commonly used in religious rituals across the ancient world. Its inclusion in the incense mixture highlights its significance in worship, symbolizing prayer and the presence of God. Frankincense is also associated with the gifts brought to Jesus by the Magi (<a href="/matthew/2-11.htm">Matthew 2:11</a>), symbolizing His priestly role and foreshadowing His sacrificial death.in equal measures The instruction to use equal measures of each spice emphasizes balance and equality in worship. This reflects the biblical principle that all offerings to God should be made with integrity and fairness. The equal proportions also suggest the importance of each component, reinforcing the idea that every aspect of worship is significant and contributes to the whole.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who provides specific instructions for worship and the construction of the Tabernacle. 2. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai. 3. <a href="/topical/f/fragrant_spices.htm">Fragrant Spices</a> Specific ingredients (gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense) used to create a sacred incense for worship in the Tabernacle. 4. <a href="/topical/t/tabernacle.htm">Tabernacle</a> The portable sanctuary where the Israelites worshiped God during their journey through the wilderness. 5. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to worship and live in a way that honors Him.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience_in_worship.htm">The Importance of Obedience in Worship</a> God provides specific instructions for worship, emphasizing the need for obedience and reverence in approaching Him. <a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_incense.htm">Symbolism of Incense</a> Incense represents the prayers of the faithful, rising to God as a pleasing aroma. Our prayers should be sincere and offered with a pure heart. <a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_set-apartness.htm">Holiness and Set-Apartness</a> The specific ingredients and their equal measures signify the holiness and set-apart nature of worship. Our lives should reflect this holiness in our daily walk with God. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_mediators.htm">The Role of Mediators</a> Moses acts as a mediator between God and the Israelites, foreshadowing Christ as our ultimate mediator who intercedes on our behalf. <a href="/topical/t/the_fragrance_of_christ.htm">The Fragrance of Christ</a> As believers, we are called to be the fragrance of Christ in the world, spreading the knowledge of Him through our actions and words.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_30.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 30</a> <a href="/q/why_isn't_exodus_incense_found_elsewhere.htm">If the incense described in Exodus 30:34–38 was so unique, why don’t we see consistent evidence of its composition or its exclusive use in subsequent Israelite or neighboring cultures?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_incense.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on incense?</a> <a href="/q/is_the_incense_formula_in_exodus_historical.htm">Exodus 37:25–29: Is there any historical or extrabiblical record to confirm the special incense formula mentioned, or does it appear only in biblical tradition? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_incense.htm">What does the Bible say about using incense?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/30.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>THE COMPOSITION OF THE HOLY INCENSE.(34) Take unto thee sweet spices.--Rather, Take unto thee spices. The word translated "spices" has no epithet. Incense, as commonly used in the ancient world, was not a composition, but some single spice, most frequently frankincense. That, however, employed by the Hebrews was always a compound. According to Josephus (Bell. Jud., v. 5, ? 5), the incense burnt in the later temple contained thirteen ingredients.Stacte is probably the gum storax, which is the produce of the styrax officinalis, a tree common in Syria and Palestine. It burns readily, and emits much smoke (Herod. iii. 107).Onycha is thought to be the "claw" or operculum of the unguis odoratus, or blatta Byzantina, a sort of shell-fish common in the Red Sea. This "claw" produces, when burnt, a strong odour.Galbanum is a gum well known to modern chemists. It may be procured from various plants, as the opoidia galbanifera, the galbanum Persicum, and others. When burnt, this gum has a strong pungent odour, which is said to be disagreeable in itself, but to bring out and prolong the scent of other spices (Plin. H. N., xii. 54).Frankincense was probably the main element of the "holy incense," as it is of such incense as is burnt in modern times. It is a gum or resin obtained from incisions in the bark of the arbor thuris, or frankincense-tree, which grows abundantly in India, and in the islands of the Indian archipelago. Anciently, the tree appears to have grown also in Arabia, whence the Egyptians (Records of the Past, vol. x., pp. 14-17), the Ph?nicians, the Hebrews (<a href="/isaiah/60-6.htm" title="The multitude of camels shall cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD.">Isaiah 60:6</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/6-20.htm" title="To what purpose comes there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to me.">Jeremiah 6:20</a>), and the Greeks obtained it in large quantities. The odour is very peculiar, and to most persons very agreeable. In England it is best known as the scent given out by the pastilles which are burnt in sick rooms.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/30.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 34-38. - THE HOLY INCENSE. It remained to give directions concerning the composition of the incense, which, according to verse 7, was to be burnt upon the altar of gold. That it was to be of one and one only peculiar kind had been already implied in the prohibition to burn "strange incense" (ver. 9). Moses is now told exactly how it was to be composed. As the oil was to contain four spices, so was the incense to be made of a like number - stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense - of each the same quantity (ver. 34). The art of the apothecary was to be called in for making it up (ver. 35). A portion of it was to be "beaten very small," and placed in front of the ark of the covenant, probably on the golden altar outside the vail (ver. 36). A prohibition is added, similar to that given with respect to the holy oil: no one is to make any like it for private use, under pain of being "cut off from his people" (vers. 37, 38). Verse 34. - Take unto thee sweet spices. Rather, "Take unto thee spices," or "perfumes." The word has no epithet. Stacte. The Hebrew word used means simply "a drop" (Job 32:27), and might be applied to any gum or resin which exuded from a tree. We have no clue to the gum here intended but that which is furnished by the rendering of the LXX., στακτή, which our translators have followed. Now the Greeks seem to have called two gums by this name - one, the natural exudation from the myrrh tree, called above (ver. 23) "pure myrrh," or "the myrrh that flows freely;" and the other gum storax. As it is not likely that the same substance has been given two names within the space of ten verses, we must suppose the latter to be meant. Gum storax is the produce of a tree allied to the poplar, and known as Styrax officinalis, which grows abundantly in Syria and Palestine. It was frequently used as a perfume by the ancients (Herod. 3:107; Plin. H. N. 12:17, §40). Onycha. The Hebrew word, she-kheleth, seems to mean a "shell" of some kind or other. The Greek ὄνυξ, Lat. onycha, was applied to the operculum - the "nail" or "claw" - of certain shell-fish of the genus Strombidae, which were common in the lied Sea, and elsewhere. The particular strombus which furnishes the onycha of the ancients is thought to have been the Unguis odoratus or Blatta Byzantina. The opercula of these shell-fish have, when burnt, a strong odour, "something like castoreum." The onycha is, again coupled with galbanum and gum storax in Ecclesiates 24:15. Galbanum. The Hebrew word khelb'nah, is so near the Greek χαλβάιη and the Latin galbanum that it has with good reason been assumed to designate the same substance. Galbanum is a gum well known both to ancients and moderns. It is admitted into the pharmacopeia. Several plants seem to produce it, as the Opoidia galbanifera, the Galbanum Persicum, and a plant which grows in Northern Persia, very like the Ferula erubeseens. When burnt, galbanum has a strong pungent odour, which is said to be disagreeable by itself, but to improve and preserve other odours (Plin. H. N. 12:54). Frankincense. On the wide use of frankincense, see the comment on ver. 1. It was the produce of a tree which anciently flourished in Arabia, but which appears to have degenerated, and now produces only an inferior quality. The best frankincense comes now from the high lands of India. It exudes from a tree called salai (the Boswellia setrata or thurifera of botanists). Some think that the frankincense exported largely from Arabia to the neighbouring nations was in part the produce of this tree imported by the Arab merchants from Hindustan. <a href="/commentaries/exodus/30-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then the LORD יְהוָ֨ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Moses, מֹשֶׁ֜ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver “Take קַח־ (qaḥ-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take fragrant spices— סַמִּ֗ים (sam·mîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5561.htm">Strong's 5561: </a> Spice (used in incense) gum resin, נָטָ֤ף ׀ (nā·ṭāp̄) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5198.htm">Strong's 5198: </a> A drop, an aromatic gum onycha, וּשְׁחֵ֙לֶת֙ (ū·šə·ḥê·leṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7827.htm">Strong's 7827: </a> (an ingredient of the holy incense) perhaps onycha galbanum, וְחֶלְבְּנָ֔ה (wə·ḥel·bə·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2464.htm">Strong's 2464: </a> Gum (a type used in incense) and pure זַכָּ֑ה (zak·kāh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2134.htm">Strong's 2134: </a> Pure, clean frankincense— וּלְבֹנָ֣ה (ū·lə·ḇō·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3828.htm">Strong's 3828: </a> Frankincense in equal measures, בַּ֥ד (baḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_905.htm">Strong's 905: </a> Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">OT Law: Exodus 30:34 Yahweh said to Moses Take to yourself (Exo. 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