Exodus 30:26 — Word Study
WLCוּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ ב֖וֹ אֶת־ אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וְאֵ֖ת אֲר֥וֹן הָעֵדֻֽת׃
BSAUse [this oil] to anointmâshach [specially prepared, sacred, rub with oil, set apart] the Tentʼôhel [tabernacle, sacred dwelling] of Meetingmôwʻêd [appointed time, gathering place] the arkʼârôwn [chest, container] of the Testimonyʻêdûwth [witness, covenant agreement]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ | and you will anoint | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect second person masculine singular |
| ב֖וֹ | with it | Preposition, suffix |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| אֹ֣הֶל | [the] tent of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| מוֹעֵ֑ד | meeting | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְאֵ֖ת | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| אֲר֥וֹן | [the] ark of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הָעֵדֻֽת׃ | the testimony | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Use this oil to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, |
| KJV | And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, |
| ASV | And thou shalt anoint therewith the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, |
| YLT | 'And thou hast anointed with it the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, |
| WEB | You shall use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the covenant, |
| BBE | This oil is to be put on the Tent of meeting, and on the ark of the law, |
Where they part company is over the translation of בּוֹ — see How Translations Differ.
The main verb drives the sentence, with additional phrases specifying the action and its objects.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbמָשַׁח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Exodus 30:26
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Instructions for the Anointing Oilgenerated
Exodus 30:26 provides God’s command to Moses regarding the use of a specially prepared anointing oil. This oil is to be used for consecrating the Tent of Meeting and the ark of the Testimony, emphasizing the importance of setting apart these sacred items for worship. This passage is part of a larger set of instructions concerning the tabernacle and its furnishings, which are central to Israel's worship practices.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 40:9–15 | Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy. |
| 2 | Leviticus 8:10–12 | Next, Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it; and so he consecrated them. |
| 3 | Numbers 7:1–10 | On the day Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings, along with the altar and all its utensils. |
| 4 | Isaiah 61:1 | The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, |
| 5 | Acts 10:38 | how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מָשַׁח, ma.shachgenerated
The verb מָשַׁח (mashach) means to anoint or smear with oil, signifying the act of consecration. It is derived from a root that implies the idea of spreading or applying, often in a ceremonial context. This particular form is a sequential perfect, indicating a completed action that the second person masculine singular (you) is commanded to perform.
Anointing is a significant ritual in the Old Testament, often associated with setting apart individuals for divine service, such as kings and priests. In this context, the anointing oil is to be used to consecrate sacred objects, marking them as holy and dedicated to God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb מָשַׁחְתָּ֥ governs the entire verse, indicating what is to be done. The structure includes a prepositional phrase describing how the anointing is to be performed, followed by noun phrases that specify the objects being anointed.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the action of anointing, with the objects of the anointing clearly marked by the object markers אֵת and וְאֵת, indicating that both the Tent of Meeting and the ark of the Testimony are to be treated with the same significance.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, מָשַׁח is rendered as ξρίσεις (xrisis), which means to anoint or rub with oil. This choice captures the ceremonial aspect of the act, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but also emphasizing the physical action involved in the anointing process.
The translation reflects a continuity of meaning, as both the Hebrew and Greek texts convey the importance of anointing as a sacred act.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 30:26 instructs Moses to use a special oil to anoint the Tent of Meeting and the ark of the Testimony. This act of anointing is meant to consecrate these sacred items, setting them apart for God's service.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Anointing signifies setting apart something as holy, often for a special purpose, such as worship or service to God.
The oil is specially prepared and sacred, indicating that it is suitable for consecrating items that are to be used in worship.
The Tent of Meeting represents a designated place where God meets with His people, serving as a central location for worship and sacrifice.
This verse connects to other passages in the Bible that discuss anointing, such as those involving kings and priests, highlighting the importance of consecration in Israel's worship practices.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I understand the significance of anointing in my own life?
- In what ways can I set apart time or space for God in my daily routine?
- What does it mean to be consecrated for a purpose in my life?
- How can I apply the principles of holiness and dedication seen in this verse to my own actions?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 30:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd thou shall anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith,.... It cannot be thought the whole of it should be anointed all over, but only a part of it for the whole; and this was either
Read John Gill on Exodus 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThis was only an outward ceremony, signifying the separation and sanctification of these things for the service of God; as the anointing of kings and priests noted their designation to their offices.
Read Matthew Poole on Exodus 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsExodus 30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,Ver. 26. And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle.] So to consecrate the same to God’ s service, and to set forth how joyfully and gladly men should serve the Lord.
Read John Trapp on Exodus 30 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) Thou shalt anoint the tabernacle.—The tabernacle and its contents were to be first consecrated, then the priests. In the tabernacle itself, the consecration was to begin with the ark of the testimony in the Holy of Holies, then to proceed to the Holy place, where the table of shewbread with its “vessels,” the golden candlestick, and the altar of incense were to be anointed; and finally to pass the vail to the outer court, where the holy oil was to be sprinkled upon the brazen altar, and upon the laver, to sanctify them. (See Exodus 30:26-29; and comp. Leviticus 8:10-11.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 30 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Use this oil to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony,
You shall use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the covenant,
Use this oil to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony,
“With it you are to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony,
Tyndale line
And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,
And thou shalt anoint therewith the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony,
And thou shalt anoint therewith the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony,
And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation with it, and the ark of the testimony,
And thou shalt anoynt the Tabernacle of the Congregation therewith, and the Arke of the Testimonie:
Strictly literal
And thou shalt anoint the tent of meeting with it, and the ark of the testimony,
'And thou hast anointed with it the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony,
And with it you have anointed the Tent of Meeting, and the Ark of the Testimony,
And thou shalt anoint therewith the tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony,
You must anoint the tent of meeting with this oil, as well as the ark of the testimony,
From the Latin
And therewith thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the testimony, and the ark of the testament,
Simplified
Use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony,
This oil is to be put on the Tent of meeting, and on the ark of the law,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch largely agree, with the Samaritan version differing by one word: it uses עדות (reminder) instead of הָעֵדֻת (the testimony). This minor variation does not change the overall meaning of the verse.
וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ ב֖וֹ אֶת־ אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וְאֵ֖ת אֲר֥וֹן הָעֵדֻֽת׃
6 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ומשׁחת בו את אהל מועד ואת ארון העדות
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: עדות (reminder)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Exodus 30:26
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מָשַׁח (mashach) means to smear or anoint, often with oil, for purposes of consecration or setting apart for a religious role. It can also refer to painting. The entries indicate its use in both a physical and a ceremonial context, particularly in the Old Testament.
מָשַׁח vb. smear, anoint
Qal
smear, house with colour (paint)
anoint, as consecration, solemn setting apart to an office, always by use of oil poured on the head
anoint, consecrate to religious service
Niph. be anointed
base
H4886 מָשַׁח smear, anoint .. smear, house with colour (paint)
. anoint, as consecration, solemn setting apart to an office, always by use of oil poured on the head
. anoint, consecrate to religious service
. be anointed
4886 mashach maw-shakh'
a primitive root; to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by
implication, to consecrate; also to paint:--anoint, paint.
מָשַׁח (ma.shach) — to anoint.
1) to smear, anoint, spread a liquid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to smear
1a2) to anoint (as consecration)
1a3) to anoint, consecrate
1b) (Niphal) to be anointed
Conj | V-Qal-2ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine singularHc/Vqq2ms
Anoint
The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews. (1.) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex. 29:29; Lev. 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex. 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called “the anointed” (Lev. 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps. 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
The Hebrew word אֹ֫הֶל (*ohel*) means 'tent' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be conspicuous.' It encompasses various meanings, including a nomad's tent, a dwelling or home, and specifically refers to the sacred tent used for worship, known as the tabernacle. The entries consistently highlight its association with transience and habitation.
אֹ֫הֶל 343 n.m. tent
tent of nomad
dwelling, habitation
the sacred tent used in worship of God
base
H168 אֹ֫הֶל tent
168 'ohel o'-hel
from 166; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a
distance):--covering, (dwelling)(place), home, tabernacle,
tent.
see HEBREW for 0166
אֹ֫הֶל (o.hel) — tent.
: tent
1) tent
1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience
1b) dwelling, home, habitation
1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)
Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
אֹ֫הֶל (o.hel) — tent: home.
: home
1) tent
1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience
1b) dwelling, home, habitation
1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מוֹעֵד (mo'ed) refers to an appointed time, place, or meeting, often associated with festivals and sacred seasons. It can denote a specific appointment or assembly, and is linked to the concept of a tent of meeting. The word is derived from a root meaning to appoint, and encompasses a range of meanings related to scheduled gatherings and designated locations.
מוֹעֵד 223 n.m. appointed time, place, meeting
appointed time
appointed meeting
appointed place
appointed sign, signal
tent of meeting
base
H4150 מוֹעֵד appointed time, place, meeting . appointed time
. appointed meeting
. appointed place
. appointed sign, signal
. tent of meeting
4150 mow`ed mo-ade'
or moled {mo-ade'}; or (feminine) moweadah (2 Chronicles
8:13) {mo-aw-daw'}; from 3259; properly, an appointment, i.e.
a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;
conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as
convened for a definite purpose); technically the
congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a
signal (as appointed beforehand):--appointed (sign, time),
(place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn)
feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set)
time (appointed).
see HEBREW for 03259
מוֹעֵד (mo.ed) — meeting: time appointed.
: time_appointed
1) appointed place, appointed time, meeting
1a) appointed time
1a1) appointed time (general)
1a2) sacred season, set feast, appointed season
1b) appointed meeting
1c) appointed place
1d) appointed sign or signal
1e) tent of meeting
מוֹעֵד (mo.ed) — meeting: festival.
: festival
1) appointed place, appointed time, meeting
1a) appointed time
1a1) appointed time (general)
1a2) sacred season, set feast, appointed season
1b) appointed meeting
1c) appointed place
1d) appointed sign or signal
1e) tent of meeting
מוֹעֵד (mo.ed) — meeting.
: meeting
1) appointed place, appointed time, meeting
1a) appointed time
1a1) appointed time (general)
1a2) sacred season, set feast, appointed season
1b) appointed meeting
1c) appointed place
1d) appointed sign or signal
1e) tent of meeting
מוֹעֵד (mo.ed) — meeting: signal appointed.
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
The Hebrew word אֲרוֹן, transliterated as arown, means 'chest' or 'ark.' It can refer to various types of containers, including a money chest, the Ark of the Covenant, and even a coffin. The word is built from the root meaning 'gathering' and is used in contexts related to sacred and practical storage.
אֲרוֹן, c. art. הָאָרוֹן, הָאָרֹן 203 n.m. chest, ark
chest, for money-offerings
sarcophagus, mummy-case
chest, ark in tabernacle & temple
base
H727 אֲרוֹן, c. art. הָאָרוֹן, הָאָרֹן chest, ark
727 'arown aw-rone'
or laron {aw-rone'}; from 717 (in the sense of gathering); a
box:--ark, chest, coffin.
see HEBREW for 0717
אֲרוֹן (a.ron) — ark.
1) chest, ark
1a) money chest
1b) Ark of the Covenant
2)(TWOT) coffin
N-cs — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
עֵדוּת (eduwth) is a feminine noun meaning 'testimony' or 'witness.' It is derived from the root word עֵד (ed), which also relates to the concept of testimony. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing its significance in legal and religious settings.
עֵדוּת 19 and עֵדֻת 27 n.f. testimony
base
H5715 עֵדוּת, עֵדֻת testimony
5715 `eduwth ay-dooth'
feminine of 5707; testimony:--testimony, witness.
see HEBREW for 05707
עֵדוּת (e.dut) — testimony.
testimony
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
Testimony
(1.) Witness or evidence (2 Thess. 1:10).
(2.) The Scriptures, as the revelation of God’s will (2 Kings 11:12; Ps. 19:7; 119:88; Isa. 8:16, 20).
(3.) The altar raised by the Gadites and Reubenites (Josh. 22:10).
The whole revelation of God, testifying to man what he is to believe, do, and hope, Ps 19:7 119:88,99 1Co 1:6 Re 1:2. The two stone tables of the law were a visible "testimony" or witness of God’s covenant with his people; and hence the ark of the covenant was called sometimes the testimony, or the ark of the testimony, Ex 25:22 34:29. See ARK.
→ LEGAL
See EVIDENCE
See WITNESSES
Ark of
See ARK