Exodus 30:36
New International Version
Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.

New Living Translation
Grind some of the mixture into a very fine powder and put it in front of the Ark of the Covenant, where I will meet with you in the Tabernacle. You must treat this incense as most holy.

English Standard Version
You shall beat some of it very small, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you.

Berean Standard Bible
Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.

King James Bible
And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

New King James Version
And you shall beat some of it very fine, and put some of it before the Testimony in the tabernacle of meeting where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.

New American Standard Bible
And you shall crush some of it very fine, and put part of it in front of the testimony in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you; it shall be most holy to you.

NASB 1995
“You shall beat some of it very fine, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you; it shall be most holy to you.

NASB 1977
“And you shall beat some of it very fine, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I shall meet with you; it shall be most holy to you.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall beat some of it very fine, and you shall put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you; it shall be most holy to you.

Amplified Bible
You shall crush some of it [into a] very fine [powder], and put some of it before the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you; it shall be most holy to you.

Christian Standard Bible
Grind some of it into a fine powder and put some in front of the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It must be especially holy to you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Grind some of it into a fine powder and put some in front of the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It must be especially holy to you.

American Standard Version
and thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

Contemporary English Version
Pound some of it into powder and sprinkle it in front of the sacred chest, where I meet with you. Be sure to treat this incense as something very holy.

English Revised Version
and thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Grind some of it into a fine powder, and put it in front of [the ark containing] the words of my promise in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. You must treat it as most holy.

Good News Translation
Beat part of it into a fine powder, take it into the Tent of my presence, and sprinkle it in front of the Covenant Box. Treat this incense as completely holy.

International Standard Version
You are to grind some of it fine, and put some before the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting where I will meet with you. It is to be most holy to you.

Majority Standard Bible
Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.

NET Bible
You are to beat some of it very fine and put some of it before the ark of the testimony in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you; it is to be most holy to you.

New Heart English Bible
and you shall beat some of it very small, and put some of it before the testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be to you most holy.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be to you most holy:

World English Bible
You shall beat some of it very small, and put some of it before the covenant in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be to you most holy.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have beaten [some] of it small, and have put of it before the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, to where I meet with you; it is most holy to you.

Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast beaten some of it small, and hast put of it before the testimony, in the tent of meeting, whither I am met with thee; most holy it is to you.

Smith's Literal Translation
And pound fine from it to small dust, and give from it before the testimony in the tent of appointment where I will meet with thee there: holy of holies, shall it be to you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when thou has 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 to you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when you have crushed all these into a very fine powder, you shall place some of it before the tabernacle of the testimony, in the place where I will appear to you. The Holy of holies shall this incense be to you.

New American Bible
Grind some of it into fine dust and put this before the covenant in the tent of meeting where I will meet you. This incense shall be treated as most sacred by you.

New Revised Standard Version
and you shall beat some of it into powder, and put part of it before the covenant in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you; it shall be for you most holy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall beat some of it very fine, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with you; it shall be to you most holy.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And make it incense of ointment, fragrant work mixed that is purified for holiness:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with thee; it shall be unto you most holy.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And of these thou shalt beat some small, and thou shalt put it before the testimonies in the tabernacle of testimony, whence I will make myself known to thee: it shall be to you a most holy incense.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Incense
35and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. 36Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37You are never to use this formula to make incense for yourselves; you shall regard it as holy to the LORD.…

Cross References
Revelation 8:3-4
Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. / And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel.

Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before You like incense; my uplifted hands, like the evening offering.

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Leviticus 16:12-13
Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil. / He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die.

Numbers 16:46-47
Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.” / So Aaron took the censer as Moses had ordered and ran into the midst of the assembly. And seeing that the plague had begun among the people, he offered the incense and made atonement for the people.

2 Chronicles 26:19
Uzziah, with a censer in his hand to offer incense, was enraged. But while he raged against the priests in their presence in the house of the LORD before the altar of incense, leprosy broke out on his forehead.

Luke 1:9-11
he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. / And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside. / Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

Isaiah 6:6-7
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. / And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”

Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.

1 Kings 9:25
Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple.

1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16
For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. / To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Acts 10:4
Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

And you shall beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with you: it shall be to you most holy.

the testimony

Exodus 16:34
As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.

where I will

Exodus 30:6
And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

Exodus 25:22
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Exodus 29:42,43
This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee…

Jump to Previous
Ark Beat Beaten Congregation Crushed Face Fine Front Grind Holy Meet Meeting Met Part Powder Small Tabernacle Tent Testimony Whither
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Ark Beat Beaten Congregation Crushed Face Fine Front Grind Holy Meet Meeting Met Part Powder Small Tabernacle Tent Testimony Whither
Exodus 30
1. The altar of incense
11. The ransom of souls
17. The bronze basin
22. The holy anointing oil
34. The composition of the incense














Grind some of it into fine powder
The act of grinding the incense into fine powder signifies meticulous preparation and dedication. In Hebrew, the word for "grind" is "שָׁחַק" (shachaq), which implies a thorough and careful process. This reflects the importance of approaching God with reverence and precision. The fine powder represents purity and readiness, symbolizing the believer's heart prepared to meet God. Historically, incense was a precious commodity, and its preparation was a sacred duty, emphasizing the value of worship and the seriousness of entering God's presence.

place it in front of the Testimony
The "Testimony" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the tablets of the Law. In Hebrew, "עֵדוּת" (edut) means testimony or witness, signifying God's covenant with Israel. Placing the incense before the Testimony symbolizes the offering of worship and prayer before God's covenantal promises. It is a reminder of the centrality of God's Word and His faithfulness. The Ark, as the earthly throne of God, underscores the divine presence and the sacredness of the space where God meets His people.

in the Tent of Meeting
The "Tent of Meeting," or "אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד" (ohel mo'ed) in Hebrew, was the designated place where God would meet with Moses and the Israelites. It was a temporary structure that prefigured the Temple and ultimately pointed to Christ, who "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14). The Tent of Meeting was a place of divine encounter, emphasizing the accessibility of God to His people. It serves as a powerful reminder that God desires to dwell among His people and that worship is a communal and sacred act.

where I will meet with you
This phrase highlights the personal and relational aspect of God's covenant with Israel. The Hebrew word for "meet" is "יָעַד" (ya'ad), which conveys the idea of an appointed meeting or encounter. It underscores God's initiative in establishing a relationship with His people. The promise of God's presence is central to the covenant, and it is fulfilled in Christ, who is Emmanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23). This assurance of divine presence is a source of comfort and strength for believers, reminding them that God is always near.

It shall be most holy to you
The phrase "most holy" in Hebrew is "קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים" (qodesh qodashim), indicating the highest degree of holiness. This designation sets the incense apart for a sacred purpose, emphasizing the reverence and awe due to God. The holiness of the incense reflects the holiness required of God's people, who are called to be set apart for His purposes. It serves as a reminder that worship is not a casual act but a profound encounter with the Holy One. The call to holiness is a central theme throughout Scripture, urging believers to live lives that honor God.

(36) Thou shalt . . . put it before the testimony.--Some pieces of the incense were to be continually before the ark of the covenant, either on the golden altar, or perhaps at its base ready for offering. This would symbolise the need of the perpetual offering of prayer.

Verse 36. - Thou shalt beat some of it very small. This is against Knobel's rendering of malakh, which would imply that all was broken into small pieces. A certain portion only was to be thus prepared from time to time and placed ready for offering. It was to be put before the testimony - i.e., opposite the m-k, but outside the vail. This near vicinity to the Divine Presence rendered it most holy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Grind
וְשָֽׁחַקְתָּ֣ (wə·šā·ḥaq·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7833: To rub away, beat fine, pulverize

some of it
מִמֶּנָּה֮ (mim·men·nāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

into fine powder
הָדֵק֒ (hā·ḏêq)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 1854: To crush, pulverize, thresh

and place
וְנָתַתָּ֨ה (wə·nā·ṯat·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

it
מִמֶּ֜נָּה (mim·men·nāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

in front
לִפְנֵ֤י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the Testimony
הָעֵדֻת֙ (hā·‘ê·ḏuṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5715: Testimony

in the Tent
בְּאֹ֣הֶל (bə·’ō·hel)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting,
מוֹעֵ֔ד (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

where
אֲשֶׁ֛ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I will meet with you.
אִוָּעֵ֥ד (’iw·wā·‘êḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3259: To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage

It shall be
תִּהְיֶ֥ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

most
קֹ֥דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

holy
קָֽדָשִׁ֖ים (qā·ḏā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

to you.
לָכֶֽם׃ (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Law: Exodus 30:36 And you shall beat some of it (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 30:35
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