Exodus – Chapter 30

Old Testament38 Verses

Chapter Summary

Exodus 30 opens with the words: "Thou shalt make also an altar to burn incense, of setim wood." The chapter centers on Aaron and Moses. Across its 38 verses, two threads run through the text: holiness and worship and praise. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Thou shalt make also an altar to burn incense, of setim wood.

2It shall be a cubit in length, and another in breadth, that is, four square, and two in height. Horns shall go out of the same.

3And thou shalt overlay it with the purest gold, as well the grate thereof, as the walls round about, and the horns. And thou shalt make to it a crown of gold round about,

4And two golden rings under the crown on either side, that the bars may be put into them, and the altar be carried.

5And thou shalt make the bars also of setim wood, and shalt overlay them with gold.

6And thou shalt set the altar over against the veil, that hangeth before the ark of the testimony before the propitiatory wherewith the testimony is covered, where I will speak to thee.

7And Aaron shall burn sweet smelling incense upon it in the morning. When he shall dress the lamps, he shall burn it:

8And when he shall place them in the evening, he shall burn an everlasting incense before the Lord throughout your generations.

9You shall not offer upon it incense of another composition, nor oblation, and victim, neither shall you offer libations.

10And Aaron shall pray upon the horns thereof once a year, with the blood of that which was offered for sin; and shall make atonement upon it in your generations. It shall be most holy to the Lord.

11And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

12When thou shalt take the sum of the children of Israel, according to their number, every one of them shall give a price for their souls to the Lord, and there shall be no scourge among them, when they shall be reckoned.

13And this shall every one give that passeth at the naming, half a sicle according to the standard of the temple. A sicle hath twenty obols. Half a sicle shall be offered to the Lord.

14He that is counted in the number from twenty years and upwards, shall give the price.

15The rich man shall not add to half a sicle, and the poor man shall diminish nothing.

16And the money received, which was contributed by the children of Israel, thou shalt deliver unto the uses of the tabernacle of the testimony, that it may be a memorial of them before the Lord, and he may be merciful to their souls.

17And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

18Thou shalt make also a brazen laver with its foot to wash in: and thou shalt set it between the tabernacle of the testimony and the altar. And water being put into it:

19Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and feet in it:

20When they are going into the tabernacle of the testimony, and when they are to come to the altar, to offer on it incense to the Lord,

21Lest perhaps they die. It shall be an everlasting law to him, and to his seed by successions.

22And the Lord spoke to Moses,

23Saying: Take spices, of principal and chosen myrrh five hundred sicles, and of cinnamon half so much; that is, two hundred and fifty sicles, of calamus in like manner two hundred and fifty,

24And of cassia five hundred sicles by the weight of the sanctuary, of oil of olives the measure hin:

25And thou shalt make the holy oil of unction, an ointment compounded after the art of the perfumer,

26And therewith thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the testimony, and the ark of the testament,

27And the table with the vessels thereof, the candlestick and furniture thereof, the altars of incense,

28And of holocaust, and all the furniture that belongeth to the service of them.

29And thou shalt sanctify all, and they shall be most holy: he that shall touch them shall be sanctified.

30Thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and shalt sanctify them, that they may do the office of priesthood unto me.

31And thou shalt say to the children of Israel: This oil of unction shall be holy unto me throughout your generations.

32The flesh of man shall not be anointed therewith, and you shall make none other of the same composition, because it is sanctified, and shall be holy unto you.

33What man soever shall compound such, and shall give thereof to a stranger, he shall be cut off from his people.

34And 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.

35And thou shalt make incense compounded by the work of the perfumer, well tempered together, and pure, and most worthy of sanctification.

36And when thou hast beaten all into very small powder, thou shalt set of it before the tabernacle of the testimony, in the place where I will appear to thee. Most holy shall this incense be unto you.

37You shall not make such a composition for your own uses, because it is holy to the Lord.

38What man soever shall make the like, to enjoy the smell thereof, he shall perish out of his people.

Important Verses in Exodus 30

Thou shalt make also an altar to burn incense, of setim wood.

Exodus 30:1

And Aaron shall pray upon the horns thereof once a year, with the blood of that which was offered for sin; and shall make atonement upon it in your generations. It shall be most holy to the Lord.

Exodus 30:10

And this shall every one give that passeth at the naming, half a sicle according to the standard of the temple. A sicle hath twenty obols. Half a sicle shall be offered to the Lord.

Exodus 30:13

You shall not make such a composition for your own uses, because it is holy to the Lord.

Exodus 30:37

Historical Context

Exodus belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for israel in every generation, commanded to remember the Passover as a perpetual memorial. Chapter 30 of 40 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 38 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Aaron and Moses appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "Thou shalt make also an altar to burn incense, of setim wood." It concludes: "What man soever shall make the like, to enjoy the smell thereof, he shall perish out of his people. " Read against its original backdrop, Exodus recounts the defining event of the Old Testament: God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, most likely Ramesses II. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing

When It Was Written

Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

The text sets forth laws and observances that distinguished Israel as a people consecrated to the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Thou shalt make also an altar to burn incense, of setim wood." The passage repeatedly touches on holiness before God.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of liberation, law, and worship. the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2772).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Aaron4 mentionsMoses4 mentions

Reflection for Today

In Exodus Chapter 30, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of liberation, law, and worship.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Exodus Chapter 30 supports that call by drawing attention to trust in providence amid uncertainty within the wider message that God delivers His people from slavery.

As you continue through Exodus, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exodus Chapter 30 about?

Exodus 30 contains 38 verses. It opens with "Thou shalt make also an altar to burn incense, of setim wood." and closes with "What man soever shall make the like, to enjoy the smell thereof, he shall perish out of his people. ". The book as a whole is narrative, law, and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Exodus 30?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Thou shalt make also an altar to burn incense, of setim wood." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Exodus Chapter 30?

This chapter mentions Aaron, Moses.

Who wrote Exodus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing. Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

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