Exodus 30

Exodus 30:1

TO burne incense] Incense is made a type of prayer both in the Old Testament, as Psalms 141:2. and in the New, as Revel. 8. vers. 3. for incense is put up with fire, and prayers must be fervent in heart; incense is sweet, so are prayers, especially when they are presented upon the golden Censer of our Saviour, Revelation 8:3.

Shittim wood] See Annot. on Chap. 25. 5.

Exodus 30:2

the hornes] These were not for such an use as those of the greater Altar, to binde the sacrifice unto it, Psalms 118:27. but for conformitie with it, and for ornament.

Exodus 30:3

• pure gold] God is worthy to be served with the best both for kinde and degree; not onely with gold the best of metall, but with the purest and most precious of that kinde; that is, such as is pure without a counterfeit appearance, and pure without mixture of any other matter of meaner price: so for the holy oyle he requires pure Myrrhe, vers. 23. and pre Frankincense, vers. 34. Chap. 25. 11. Numbers 4:11. Revelation 8:3.

the top] Heb. the roofe or covering: which was made gratewise: or like a net, in such sort that the ashes of the Frankincense, or of other ingredients put into the perfume, might passe through the Altar to the ground.

a crowne of gold] That is, a golden plate or border compassing the Altar round about like battlements, as that about the Arke, Exodus 25:11.

Exodus 30:6

put it before the Vaile] (Which divided the sanctuary from the holy of holies) that is, in the Sanctuary, and not in the holiest of all; before the vaile, not within it; for into the holiest of all, the High-priest was to enter but once a yeare, Hebrews 9:7. but Incense was to be offered twice a day, morning and evening, vers. 7. and 2 Chron. 13. 11.

before the Mercy-seat] The Altar of Incense was not placed in the holy of holies where the Mercy-seat stood, for thither came onely the High-priest, and but once a yeare; but in the place next unto it, (called the holy place, and separated from it onely by a Vaile) into which inferiour Priests went daily to burne Incense, Luke 1:8-9. yet was this Altar of Incense set so neare the Vaile, that it was also neare the Mercy-seat which was placed close to the Vaile on the other side.

Arke of the Testimonie] So it was called, because of the Law laid up in it, which was the Testimonie of Gods will, and the peoples duties; and of the Covenant made betwixt God and them at the giving of the Law.

where I will meet with thee] That is, before the Vaile on the out-side; that is, next to the Sanctuary, or holy place: whereby, and by Chap. 29. 42. it appeareth, that God did afford his presence, and reveale his will, not onely to the High-priests, in tho holy of holies, (into which he was to enter but once a year) but else-where and at other times, as there was occasion.

Exodus 30:7

Aaron shall burne] Not as an High-priest; for this was the office of an inferiour Priest, Luke 1:9. to which Aaron might in humilitie descend; but the inferiour Priests might not presumptuously ascend to the execution of his peculiar office.

sweet Incense] Heb. incense of spices. By the Sacrifices, Christ is presented as a satisfier for mans sinnes; by Incense, he is figured as an Intercessour for sinners, by mediation presented to God on their behalfe.

dresseth] Heb. maketh well.

Exodus 30:8

at even] Heb. betweene two evens. Of which, see the exposition on Exod. 12. vers. 6. for they did not burne daylight, as Papists generally doe; and if they did burne alwaies, as it is said, Exodus 27:20. it was because the Tabernacle wanted windowes to let in light: with this service of dressing and kindling lights, were two other daily services of the Priests, to wit, the offering of Incense, and of the daily sacrifice.

Exodus 30:9

no strange incense] Otherwise made, then according to the composition afterward prescribed, vers. 34, 35, 36.

Exodus 30:10

once a yeare] The Altar of Incense was once a year, and that once the tenth day of the seventh moneth (viz. on the day of expiation, Numbers 29:7. when the Priest went into the Sanctum Sanctorum,) to be solemnly hallowed, and purged, because of some error, or fault, at least ceremoniall, which might be committed in reference to it, and administration about it.

throughout your] That is, in the succession of future times, untill Christ the substance of these Ceremoniall shadowes doe appeare.

Exodus 30:12

Their number] Heb. them that are to be numbered.

give a ransome] Or, redemption: by way of acknowledgement that his life is forfeited to God by sinnes, which is in Gods power to take away at his pleasure; and that man holds it of meere courtesie from him. This is held by some to be a figure of the redemption of the soule by Christ, 1 Tit 2:6. And for want of this ransome at the summing or numbering of the people (in Davids time) it is thought by Josephus, Antiq. lib. 7. cap. 10. that he was cut short of his number threescore and ten thousand, 2 Samuel 24. forgetting the commandement of Moses, in this behalfe, which was to be payd partly as a tribute, whereby the Divine Soveraigntie is acknowledged; and partly for building of the Tabernacle; which tribute might either continue for the repaire and charge of the Tabernacle, or if intermitted, be renewed againe as occasion did require. See 2 Chronicles 24:6.

for his soule] That is, for his life.

that there be no plague] That is, that by fayling of so easie price for so great cause upon Gods command he be not provoked to plague the people.

Exodus 30:13

after the shekell of the sanctuary] That is (as some take it) double to the common shekell; but it is more likely to be exactly so much, according to the Standard kept in the Sanctuary, a full shekell no lesse then the just weight of it. See Ezek. 45. vers. 10, 11, 12.

Gerah] What that is, is easily knowne by the shekell; for it is the twentieth part of it; that is, a three halfepence: so that the shekell is two shillings six pence.

offering to the Lord] For the maintenance of the Tabernacle, and his servants and services in it.

Exodus 30:14

from twenty yeares old] Because such were fit for imployment, both for warre and peace, and commonly able (out of their gettings) to pay that proportion: neither women nor children came into the reckoning, because they were sorted to their parents, if in their minoritie; and the women accounted with their husbands, if they were married.

Exodus 30:15

the rich] The rich and poore in this particular are both of one price, because in spirituall things they are equall; and therefore their fare was alike at the Paschall Supper; as under the Gospel, he that at home hath most varietie of dishes, hath but the same proportion of Bread and Wine with the poorest in the Supper of the Lord; for their soules are equall, and the price paid for their ransome equall; and therefore was one rate appointed to both, that the rich might be the lesse disposed to despise the poore; and that the number of the people might be kept in memory, by the summe of money contributed by them: this contribution was annuall, as some Iewish Histories shew; but others conceive, it was but occasionall, as there was cause to call the people unto it.

Exodus 30:16

for the service] Which (in regard of the fabrick, furniture of the Sanctuary, and the Priests and Levites maintenance who were to administer in it) was very costly.

memoriall unto] That the people may be admonished of the Lords favor, in the remembrance of them; and of his readinesse to use all beneficence to them, if they continue in obedience to him.

Exodus 30:18

Laver] This Laver of brasse was placed betwixt the Sanctuary, and the Altar of burnt-sacrifice; that the Priests might wash themselves with more privacie.

Exodus 30:19

shall wash] When they went into the Tent of the Congregation, and when they came neere unto the Altar they washed, Exodus 40:32. Signifying that he that cometh unto God, must be washed from all sinne and corruption, Esa. 52. 11. Hebrews 10:22. Psalms 26:6. And in the same Laver, were the Priests to wash the parts of the sacrifice before they were burned, because they were Types of the most cleane and cleansing sacrifice Christ Jesus.

thereat] He saith not, therein; for they washed with the water which flowed out at the cocke or pipe of the Laver as at a Cisterne.

and feet] Hence some collect, that the Priests were barefoot, when they ministred in the Tabernacle, and because (being the place of Gods peculiar presence) it was holy ground. See Exodus 3:5.

Exodus 30:20

that they die not] To disobey God, though but in outward ceremonies, deserveth death. See Exodus 12:15. & 5: 33. of this Chap. & vers. 38.

Exodus 30:21

a Statute for ever] See Annot. on Chap. 12. 14.

Exodus 30:23

principall spices] For the composition of the holy oyntment.

pure myrrhe] Hebr. myrrhe of libertie. That droppeth freely, that is the best which droppeth first most freely, for that is the purest and freest from dregs. Myrrhe is a sweet gumme, that issueth out of the Myrrhe tree, the fatter and moister part, and was used for the composition of this oyntment, highly praised and preferred before others, and none before it; thence is it so often mentioned (in the Song of Solomon) as a figure of the fragrant graces, and sweet and mutuall acceptance betwixt Christ and his Church.

Cinnamon] A sweet barke of a plant growing in Ethiopia, a low plant growing not above five cubits high, above the ground.

Calamus] A kinde of reed, used in powders and adours, it is very sweet, and giveth a very pleasant sent afarre off; it groweth in Arabia, India, and Syria, Plin. hist. lib. 20. cap. 22. See also Theophrast. hist. of plants, lib. 9. cap. 7. & Dioscorid. lib. 1. cap. 17.

Exodus 30:24

Cassia] Another kinde of Reed, or Cane, and very sweet also, as the former, called also a Canell, it is a shrub growing to the height of three cubits, and of three colours: for when it cometh up first, (for a foot from the root) it is white, then halfe a foot higher it waxeth red, but as it riseth further, it is blackish, and this part is held the best, and so the next to it is a degree lower, but the white is of no regard, and therefore they never cut the twigs or branches neere the root: the newest and freshest Cassia is best and of most delicate smell, Plin. hist. lib. 12. cap. 19.

him] See Annot. on Chap. 29. 24.

Exodus 30:26

the Tabernacle] That is, all things which appertaine unto the Tabernacle. Thereby to set them apart for Gods service.

Exodus 30:29

that they may * be most oly] This expression in proprietie of speech belongeth to the holy of holies, and to the most holy things there placed; yet to keep off all from contempt of them, or profane usurpation upon them, they are all sometimes called most holy; because appropriated to the most holy service of the most holy God. Vers. 36.

whatsoever toucheth] As some think, the word (whatsoever) is not to be taken really, but personally, for whosoever; and so the meaning is, that none but a consecrated person must touch the holy things of the Tabernacle: not that whosoever, or whatsoever touched them became thereby presently hallowed, for it was a capitall presumption in Uzzah to touch the Arke, and he dyed for it, 2 Samuel 6:6. And the Prophet Haggai sheweth, that there may be a touching of unholy things by things holy, which yet may remaine as unholy as before, Haggai 2:12. Therefore the proposition must be limited to the matter in hand; that is, to the service of the Sanctuary: and so whatsoever is brought thither as an oblation, if it touch any of the hallowed things of the Tabernacle, being brought to be applyed to the service of God, it becometh so appropriate thereto, that it cannot be imployed otherwise without profanation.

Exodus 30:31

unto me] In the Hebrew tongue the words [unto me] are oft-times redundant, that is, so used, that the sense is sufficient and perfect without them; as if it were said, it shall be holy; which may be meant with respect to the people, who were to account it an holy oyntment, so as neither in the making nor application of it to profane it. Or, it might be said to be holy unto God, because it was ordained by God, with especiall reference to his service in the Sanctuary.

Exodus 30:32

upon mans flesh] This holy oyntment was not to be applyed to any profane or civill use by any, but to be appropriate to the sonnes of Aaron; and (as some thinke) to the high Priestly onely, from Leviticus 21:10. And though Kings were anoynted also, 1 Kings 19. 15, 16. yet it might be with other oyle and not with this; and albeit Zadok the High-priest anoynted Salomon, 1 Kings 1:39. yet might he use oyntment of another kind from this of the High-priests; or if he used this, as it is probable he did, that was done by especiall appointment of God, as an exception from his generall rule; and the exception is, as some make it, that this holy oyntment was to be used only, when there was a King chosen of a new stocke or race, or upon some notable alteration in the succession; for which they quote, Psalms 89:20. concerning Davids anointing, and 1 Kings 1:39. concerning Salomons.

Exodus 30:33

any like unto it] The Lord requires pietie with proprietie, without counterfeiting or communitie. See Ezekiel 44:2.

upon a stranger] See Annot. on Chap. 29. 33.

Exodus 30:34

Stacte] The word in the Originall signifieth a drop, some take it for balme: Plinie saith, it is the pure drop, or sweat of the Myrtle tree, Plin. lib. 12. cap. 15. It is generally conceived to be a sweet gum hard enough to be beaten into powder, for so the making of the perfume required, vers. 36.

Onycha] As most agree, is a sweet kinde of shell, white, like unto a mans nayle, found in the Indian Lakes, where shellfishes feed of Spikenard. Of this Onycha, see Diascorid. lib. 2. cap. 8.

Galbanum] A Syrian gum, as Diascorid. faith, lib. 3. cap. 81. This Galbanum which is now in use with us, and frequent in Apothecaries shops, is a thing of no good or sweet sent, and like of that kinde, which as Plinie writeth, by the strength, rather then the sweetnesse of it, recovereth them that are cast down by the falling sicknesse, swoonings, or trances, Plin. lib. 14 cap. 5. It groweth much in the Mountain Amanus in Syria, lib. 12. 25. This was of another kinde, or might be so tempered with the other ingredients, as to make a pleasing perfume of it.

pure] That is, without dregs, or any corrupt adherence of any other thing.

Exodus 30:35

holy] Prescribed by God, and to be applyed by the Priests to an holy use; it is for incense, and perfume to be sent up to God in the Sanctuary.

Exodus 30:36

where I will meet] See Annot. on vers. 6.

Exodus 30:37

unto thee] That is, thou shalt so both esteeme it, and apply it.

holy for the LORD] Only dedicate to the use of the Lords Tabernacle.

Exodus 30:38

cut off] If he offend in contempt of the Lords holy Ordinance, his cutting off may be by Divine Judgement, a cutting off by a doubled death both of the body, and soule, if repentance prevent not. See Annot. on vers. 20.