Exploring the Meaning of Exodus 30
Napsal(a) New Christian Bible Study Staff
Arcana Coelestia 10176. The subjects treated of in this chapter are the altar of incense; the expiation of everyone by means of silver; the laver and the washing from it; and the preparation of the oil of anointing, and of the incense. In the internal sense by "burning incense" is signified the hearing and reception by the Lord of all things of the worship which is from love and charity; by "the expiation of everyone by means of silver," is signified the ascription of all things of worship to the Lord, and nothing to self, that no one may have merit. By "the laver and the washing" is signified purification from evils first in all worship. By "the preparation of the oil of anointing" is signified the quality of the love in worship; and by "the preparation of the incense," the quality of the worship from it.
Exodus 30:1-10
1
"You shall make an altar to burn incense on. You shall make it of acacia wood.
2
Its length shall be a cubit, and its breadth a cubit. It shall be square, and its height shall be two cubits. Its horns shall be of one piece with it.
3
You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top, its sides around it, and its horns; and you shall make a gold molding around it.
4
You shall make two golden rings for it under its molding; on its two ribs, on its two sides you shall make them; and they shall be for places for poles with which to bear it.
5
You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.
6
You shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.
7
Aaron shall burn incense of sweet spices on it every morning. When he tends the lamps, he shall burn it.
8
When Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Yahweh throughout your generations.
9
You shall offer no strange incense on it, nor burnt offering, nor meal offering; and you shall pour no drink offering on it.
10
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once in the year; with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once in the year he shall make atonement for it throughout your generations. It is most holy to Yahweh."
