◄ Exodus 30:26 ►
Use this oil to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony,
Study Bible
Use this oil
The Hebrew word for "oil" here is "שֶׁמֶן" (shemen), which signifies a substance that was not only practical but also sacred in ancient Israelite culture. Oil was a symbol of consecration and sanctification, setting apart objects and people for God's purposes. The use of oil in anointing signifies the impartation of the Holy Spirit, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture, pointing to the anointing of Jesus Christ and the believers in the New Testament.

to anoint
The Hebrew verb "מָשַׁח" (mashach) means "to smear" or "to anoint." Anointing was a ritual act that conferred holiness and divine approval. In the context of the Tabernacle, anointing the sacred objects was a declaration that they were dedicated to God’s service. This act of anointing prefigures the anointing of Jesus as the Messiah (the Anointed One) and the anointing of believers with the Holy Spirit, setting them apart for God's work.

the Tent of Meeting
The "Tent of Meeting" or "אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד" (Ohel Moed) was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites. It was a place of divine encounter, where God communicated with Moses and the people. The anointing of the Tent of Meeting signifies the sanctification of the space where God’s presence would dwell, emphasizing the holiness required to approach God. This foreshadows the New Testament teaching that believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, a dwelling place for God.

the Ark of the Testimony
The "Ark of the Testimony" or "אֲרוֹן הָעֵדֻת" (Aron HaEdut) was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle, containing the tablets of the Law. It represented God's covenant with Israel and His presence among them. Anointing the Ark underscored its role as the focal point of God's relationship with His people. Historically, the Ark was central to Israel's worship and identity, and it prefigures Christ as the ultimate revelation of God’s covenant and presence with humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions from God on Mount Sinai regarding the construction and consecration of the Tabernacle.

2. Tent of Meeting
Also known as the Tabernacle, this was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

3. Ark of the Testimony
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, symbolizing God's covenant with Israel.

4. Anointing Oil
A specially formulated oil used for consecrating the Tabernacle and its furnishings, signifying holiness and dedication to God.

5. God's Command
The directive given by God to Moses to use the anointing oil for consecrating the sacred objects, emphasizing the importance of holiness and divine presence.
Teaching Points
Holiness and Dedication
The anointing oil symbolizes the setting apart of objects and people for God's purposes. As believers, we are called to live lives that are consecrated and dedicated to God.

God's Presence
The anointing of the Tent of Meeting and the Ark signifies God's presence among His people. We are reminded that God desires to dwell with us and be central in our lives.

Symbolism of Anointing
Anointing in the Bible often represents the Holy Spirit's work. As Christians, we are anointed by the Spirit to serve and fulfill God's purposes.

Obedience to God's Commands
Moses' adherence to God's instructions highlights the importance of obedience in our walk with God. We are called to follow His commands faithfully.

Continuity of God's Plan
The anointing practices in the Old Testament foreshadow the anointing of Jesus as the Messiah and the anointing of believers by the Holy Spirit, showing the continuity of God's redemptive plan.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the anointing of the Tent of Meeting and the Ark of the Testimony in Exodus 30:26 reflect the concept of holiness in your own life?

2. In what ways can the symbolism of anointing oil in the Old Testament enhance your understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life today?

3. How does the obedience of Moses in following God's instructions challenge you to be more obedient in your daily walk with God?

4. What parallels can you draw between the anointing of sacred objects in the Tabernacle and the anointing of believers in the New Testament?

5. How can understanding the significance of God's presence in the Tabernacle encourage you to seek His presence more earnestly in your personal life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 8:10-12
This passage describes the anointing of Aaron and his sons, connecting the use of anointing oil to the consecration of priests, highlighting the theme of holiness and service to God.

1 Samuel 16:13
The anointing of David by Samuel with oil signifies God's choice and empowerment, paralleling the consecration of sacred objects in the Tabernacle.

Psalm 133:2
This verse likens unity among believers to the precious anointing oil, illustrating the idea of consecration and blessing flowing from God.

Hebrews 9:4
Refers to the Ark of the Covenant, connecting the Old Testament practices to the New Testament understanding of Christ's fulfillment of the law.
Sermons
The Golden Altar and the PerfumeJ. Orr Exodus 30:1-11, 34-38
The Laver and the Anointing OilJ. Orr Exodus 30:17-34
The Anointing OilC. Simeon, M. A.Exodus 30:22-33
The Holy Anointing OilJ. Spencer.Exodus 30:22-33
The Holy Anointing OilJ. G. Murphy, LL. D.Exodus 30:22-33
The Use of Oil in Daily Life and in the Symbolism of WorshipJ. H. Kurtz, D. D.Exodus 30:22-33
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Anoint, Anointed, Ark, Congregation, Hast, Law, Meeting, Oil, Tabernacle, Tent, Testimony, Therewith
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 30:22-28

     4486   myrrh

Exodus 30:22-29

     5183   smell

Exodus 30:22-33

     4492   olive
     7304   anointing

Exodus 30:23-33

     4488   oil

Exodus 30:25-29

     7328   ceremonies

Exodus 30:25-30

     8270   holiness, set apart

Library
The Altar of Incense
'Thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon.' --EXODUS xxx. 1. Ceremonies are embodied thoughts. Religious ceremonies are moulded by, and seek to express, the worshipper's conception of his God, and his own relation to Him; his aspirations and his need. Of late years scholars have been busy studying the religions of the more backward races, and explaining rude and repulsive rites by pointing to the often profound and sometimes beautiful ideas underlying them. When that process is applied to Australian …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ransom for Souls --I.
Then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul.' --EXODUS xxx. 12. This remarkable provision had a religious intention. Connect it with the tax-money which Peter found in the fish's mouth. I. Its meaning. Try to realise an Israelite's thoughts at the census. 'I am enrolled among the people and army of God: am I worthy? What am I, to serve so holy a God?' The payment was meant-- (a) To excite the sense of sin. This should be present in all approach to God, in all service; accompanying the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ransom for Souls --ii.
'The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel....'--EXODUS xxx. 15. This tax was exacted on numbering the people. It was a very small amount, about fifteen pence, so it was clearly symbolical in its significance. Notice-- I. The broad principle of equality of all souls in the sight of God. Contrast the reign of caste and class in heathendom with the democracy of Judaism and of Christianity. II. The universal sinfulness. Payment of the tax was a confession that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
Rom. viii. 15.--"Whereby we cry, Abba, Father." As there is a light of grace in bestowing such incomparably high dignities and excellent gifts on poor sinners, such as, to make them the sons of God who were the children of the devil, and heirs of a kingdom who were heirs of wrath; so there is a depth of wisdom in the Lord's allowance and manner of dispensing his love and grace in this life. For though the love be wonderful, that we should be called the sons of God; yet, as that apostle speaks, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus Pays the Tribute Money.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29) ^A Matt. XVII. 24-27. ^a 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half-shekel? [The law of Moses required from every male of twenty years and upward the payment of a tax of half a shekel for the support of the temple (Ex. xxx. 12-16; II. Chron. xxiv. 5, 6). This tax was collected annually. We are told that a dispute existed between the Pharisees and Sadducees as to whether the payment …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

How a Private Man must Begin the Morning with Piety.
As soon as ever thou awakest in the morning, keep the door of thy heart fast shut, that no earthly thought may enter, before that God come in first; and let him, before all others, have the first place there. So all evil thoughts either will not dare to come in, or shall the easier be kept out; and the heart will more savour of piety and godliness all the day after; but if thy heart be not, at thy first waking, filled with some meditations of God and his word, and dressed, like the lamp in the tabernacle …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the Way, the Forbidding of Him who could not Follow with the Disciples, and The
Now that the Lord's retreat in the utmost borders of the land, at Cæsarea Philippi, was known to the Scribes, and that He was again surrounded and followed by the multitude, there could be no further object in His retirement. Indeed, the time was coming that He should meet that for which He had been, and was still, preparing the minds of His disciples - His Decease at Jerusalem. Accordingly, we find Him once more with His disciples in Galilee - not to abide there, [3743] nor to traverse it …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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