Exodus 30:1-13 ▼

1 “ You are to make an altar for the burning of incense; make it of acacia wood.

2 It must be square, 18 inches long and 18 inches wide; it must be 36 inches high. Its horns must be of one piece.

3 Overlay its top, all around its sides, and its horns with pure gold; make a gold molding all around it.

4 Make two gold rings for it under the molding on two of its sides; put these on opposite sides of it to be holders for the poles to carry it with.

5 Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.

6 “ You are to place the altar in front of the veil by the ark of the testimony  — in front of the mercy seat that is over the testimony  — where I will meet with you.

7 Aaron must burn fragrant incense on it; he must burn it every morning when he tends the lamps.

8 When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn incense. There is to be an incense offering before the LORD throughout your generations.

9 You must not offer unauthorized incense on it, or a burnt or grain offering; you are not to pour a drink offering on it.

10 “ Once a year Aaron is to perform the purification rite on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he is to perform the purification rite for it once a year, with the blood of the sin offering for atonement. The altar is especially holy to the LORD.”

11 The LORD spoke to Moses:

12 “ When you take a census of the Israelites to register them, each of the men must pay a ransom for himself to the LORD as they are registered. Then no plague will come on them as they are registered.

13 Everyone who is registered must pay half a shekel according to the sanctuary shekel (20 gerahs to the shekel ). This half shekel is a contribution to the LORD.