Anointing2

Part 2
A generation unto the generations

Five Commands-the Holy Anointing Oil
Exodus 30:23
a [Take thou also unto thee principal spices ...]

b [principal spices] The best spices.

c [myrrh] Myrrh is a gum which comes from the stem of a low, thorny, ragged tree growing in Arabia and East Africa. Pure here means free flowing. The best exudes spontaneously from the bark while the inferior comes more abundantly by splitting the bark. See note, §John 19:39.

d [five hundred shekels] A shekel weight was 240 grains, so 500 shekels would be 120,000 grains. There were 5,760 grains to a troy and the apothecarie's weight per pound, so 500 shekels would come to about 21 lbs. That we must take the apothecarie's weight of 12 ounces per pound instead of the 16 ounces of the avoirdupois weight seems clear from Exodus 30:25,35; Exodus 37:29; 2 Chron. 16:14; Eccles. 10:1.

e [cinnamon] Cinnamon comes from the dried inner rind of a tree growing in Sri Lanka and the islands of the Indian Ocean (Proverbs 7:17; Song 4:14; Rev. 18:13).

f [two hundred and fifty shekels] The 250 shekels was 10.5 lbs. (note above on shekel weight). The 63 lbs. of spices and 6 quarts of olive oil were combined in some way to make a texture thin enough to pour (Exodus 30:32; Psalm 133:2). The work was entrusted to Bezaleel (Exodus 37:1,29), then to Eleazar (Numbers 4:16), and later to the sons of the priests (1 Chron. 9:30). The fragance no doubt counteracted the stench of the butchering, burning, and cooking of animals in the tabernacle court. The ointment was to be used freely in every generation (Exodus 30:31), but not on anyone who was not a priest (Exodus 30:32; Exodus 29:7,21; Leviticus 10:7). Anyone who compounded any like it to use privately or sell to others was to die (Exodus 30:33).

g [sweet calamus] This is a fragrant cane whose root is highly prized as a spice. It grows in Arabia and India (Exodus 30:23; Song 4:14; Ezekiel 27:19).

Exodus 30:23
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,

Exodus 30:22-38 (The holy anointing oil, The perfume)
"Book Intro
Directions are here given for making the holy anointing oil, and the incense to be used in the service of the tabernacle. To show the excellency of holiness, there was this spiced oil in the tabernacle, which was grateful to the sight and to the smell. Christ's name is as ointment poured forth, Song of Solomon 1:3, and the good name of Christians is like precious ointment, Ecclesiastes 7:1. The incense burned upon the golden altar was prepared of sweet spices. When it was used, it was to be beaten very small; thus it pleased the Lord to bruise the Redeemer, when he offered himself for a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour. The like should not be made for any common use. Thus God would keep in the people's minds reverence for his own services, and teach us not to profane or abuse any thing whereby God makes himself known. It is a great affront to God to jest with sacred things, and to make sport with his word and ordinances. It is most dangerous and fatal to use professions of the gospel of Christ to forward wordly interests.

Exodus 30:23-25 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,

24And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:

25And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

Exodus 31:11 And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.

Exodus 35:8 And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,

Exodus 35:15 And the incense altar, and his staves, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle,

Exodus 35:28 And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.

Exodus 37:29 And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.

Exodus 39:38 And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,

Numbers 4:16 And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

1 Chron. 9:30 And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices.

Dake's Study Notes - Exodus 30:23

Matthew Henry's Commentary (Concise) - Exodus 31:11
Exodus 31:1-11 (Bezaleel and Aholiab are appointed and qualified for the work of the tabernacle)
"Book Intro
The Israelites, who had been masons and bricklayers in Egypt, were not qualified for curious workmanship; but the Spirit who gave the apostles utterance in divers tongues, miraculously gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the skill that was wanting. The honour which comes from God, is always attended with a work to be done; to be employed for God is high honour. Those whom God calls to any service, he will find or make fit for it. The Lord gives different gifts to different persons; let each mind his proper work, diligently remembering that whatever wisdom any one possesses, the Lord put it in the heart, to do his commandments.

Matthew Henry's Commentary (Concise) - Exodus 35:15
Exodus 35:4-19 (The free gifts for the tabernacle)
"Book Intro
The tabernacle was to be dedicated to the honour of God, and used in his service; and therefore what was brought for it, was an offering to the Lord. The rule is, Whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring. All that were skilful must work. God dispenses his gifts; and as every man hath received, so he must minister, 1 Peter 4:10. Those that were rich, must bring in materials to work on; those that were skilful, must serve the tabernacle with their skill: as they needed one another, so the tabernacle needed them both, 1 Corinthians 12:7-21.

Matthew Henry's Commentary (Concise) - Exodus 35:28
Exodus 35:20-29 (The readiness of the people in general)
"Book Intro
Without a willing mind, costly offerings would be abhorred; with it, the smallest will be accepted. Our hearts are willing, when we cheerfully assist in promoting the cause of God. Those who are diligent and contented in employments considered mean, are as much accepted of God as those engaged in splendid services. The women who spun the goats' hair were wise-hearted, because they did it heartily to the Lord. Thus the labourer, mechanic, or servant who attends to his work in the faith and fear of God, may be as wise, for his place, as the most useful minister, and he equally accepted of the Lord. Our wisdom and duty consist in giving God the glory and use of our talents, be they many or few.

Matthew Henry's Commentary (Concise) - Exodus 37:29
Exodus 37:1-29 (The making of the ark, and the furniture of the tabernacle)
"Book Intro
In the furniture of the tabernacle were emblems of a spiritual and acceptable service. The incense represented the prayers of the saints. The sacrifice of the alter represented the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The golden pot with manna, or bread from heaven, the flesh of Jesus Christ, which he gave for the life of the world. The candlestick, with its lights, the teaching and enlightening of the Holy Spirit. The shew-bread represented that provision for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, which the gospel, the ordinances and the sacraments of the house of prayer, abundantly bestow. The exactness of the workmen to their rule, should be followed by us; seeking for the influences of the Holy Spirit, that we may rejoice in and glorify God while in this world, and at length be with him for ever.

Matthew Henry's Commentary (Concise) - Exodus 39:38
Exodus 39:32-43 (The tabernacle completed)
"Book Intro
The tabernacle was a type or emblem of Jesus Christ. As the Most High dwelt visibly within the sanctuary, even on the ark, so did he reside in the human nature and tabernacle of his dear Son; in Christ dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, Colossians 2:9. The tabernacle was a symbol of every real Christian. In the soul of every true follower of the Saviour the Father dwells, the object of his worship, and the author of his blessings. The tabernacle also typified the church of the Redeemer. The meanest and the mightiest are alike dear to the Father's love, freely exercised through faith in Christ. The tabernacle was a type and emblem of the heavenly temple, Revelation 21:3. What, then, will be the splendour of His appearance, when the cloud shall be withdrawn, and his faithful worshippers shall see him as he is!

Pastor Jeremias Antonetty
8/27/03