◄ Exodus 30:29 ►
You are to consecrate them so that they will be most holy. Whatever touches them shall be holy.
Study Bible
You are to consecrate them
The Hebrew word for "consecrate" is "קָדַשׁ" (qadash), which means to set apart, sanctify, or make holy. In the context of the tabernacle and its furnishings, consecration involves a ceremonial act of dedicating these items for divine service. This act signifies a separation from the common or profane, elevating them to a status of sacredness. Historically, this process involved anointing with oil, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's presence and empowerment. The act of consecration underscores the importance of purity and dedication in worship, reminding believers of their call to be set apart for God's purposes.

so that they will be most holy
The phrase "most holy" in Hebrew is "קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים" (qodesh qodashim), which translates to "holy of holies." This superlative form emphasizes the highest degree of holiness, reserved for items and places directly associated with God's presence. In the tabernacle, the "Most Holy Place" was where the Ark of the Covenant resided, symbolizing God's throne on earth. The designation of "most holy" for the consecrated items indicates their exclusive use in worship and their role in facilitating a connection between God and His people. This concept challenges believers to pursue holiness in their lives, striving for a deeper relationship with God.

Whatever touches them will be holy
The idea that "whatever touches them will be holy" reflects the contagious nature of holiness in the Old Testament context. The Hebrew verb "נָגַע" (naga) means to touch or come into contact with. In ancient Israel, holiness was not only a state of being but also something that could be transferred through contact. This principle highlights the transformative power of God's holiness, which can sanctify and purify. It serves as a reminder of the reverence and respect required when approaching the sacred. For Christians, this concept points to the transformative power of Christ's holiness, which sanctifies believers and calls them to live lives that reflect His purity and righteousness.

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 and its furnishings.

2. Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites, which included various holy items and altars that were to be consecrated.

3. Consecration
The act of making something sacred or holy, set apart for God's purposes. In this context, it refers to the anointing of the Tabernacle and its furnishings.

4. Holy Anointing Oil
A special blend of spices and olive oil used to consecrate the Tabernacle and its contents, signifying their sanctification and dedication to God.

5. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were to follow His commandments and maintain the holiness of the Tabernacle and its services.
Teaching Points
Holiness and Separation
The consecration of the Tabernacle items teaches us about the importance of holiness and being set apart for God's purposes. As believers, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness.

The Power of Touch
The verse emphasizes that whatever touches the consecrated items becomes holy. This illustrates the transformative power of God's holiness and how it can impact our lives and those around us.

Symbolism of Anointing
The anointing oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, setting us apart and empowering us for service. We should seek the Spirit's guidance and anointing in our daily walk.

Christ as Our High Priest
The consecration of the Tabernacle points to Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate High Priest and the one who sanctifies us through His sacrifice.

Living as a Holy People
Just as the Israelites were called to maintain the holiness of the Tabernacle, we are called to live as a holy people, reflecting God's character in our actions and relationships.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of consecration in Exodus 30:29 apply to our lives as Christians today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our lives are set apart for God's purposes, similar to the consecrated items in the Tabernacle?

3. How does the idea of holiness in the Old Testament connect to the New Testament teachings about being a "royal priesthood"?

4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in our consecration and daily walk with God, as symbolized by the anointing oil?

5. How can we practically live out the call to be a holy people in our modern context, reflecting God's character in our communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 8
Describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, paralleling the sanctification process of the Tabernacle and its items.

1 Peter 2:9
Highlights the concept of believers being a "royal priesthood," drawing a parallel to the consecration and holiness required of the priests and the Tabernacle.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the earthly sanctuary and its regulations, connecting the Old Testament practices to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
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
Anything, Consecrate, Hallow, Hast, Holy, Sanctified, Sanctify, Touches, Toucheth, Touching, Whatever, Whatsoever
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 30:29

     5194   touch

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

Exodus 30:29-30

     8218   consecration

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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