Exodus 30:23 - “Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels; and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty; and of fragrant cane, two hundred and fifty;
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What does "Exodus 30:23" mean?
Exodus 30:23 is part of a recipe for a sacred anointing oil that God instructs Moses to make. Let's break down what the verse describes:
"Also take fine spices": This establishes that the following ingredients are spices, and of a particularly high quality. They are intended to be fragrant and contribute to the overall aroma and holiness of the anointing oil.
"of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels": Myrrh is a resin from a specific tree. "Liquid myrrh" likely refers to a particularly pure or easily workable form of the resin. A "shekel" was a unit of weight. Five hundred shekels represents the largest quantity of any single spice in the recipe.
"and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty": Cinnamon is a well-known spice derived from the bark of certain trees. "Half as much" refers to half the amount of myrrh, so 250 shekels.
"and of fragrant cane, two hundred and fifty": "Fragrant cane" is most often interpreted as calamus or sweet cane. Calamus is a reed-like plant with an aromatic root. Again, the amount is 250 shekels.
In essence, the verse specifies three ingredients and their proportions for a sacred anointing oil:
1. Liquid Myrrh: 500 shekels
2. Fragrant Cinnamon: 250 shekels
3. Fragrant Cane (Calamus): 250 shekels
Significance:
Sacredness: This anointing oil was not for ordinary use. It was specifically designated for consecrating the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests. The specific recipe emphasizes the oil's holiness and set-apart nature.
Symbolism: While interpretations vary, each of these spices likely carried symbolic weight in the ancient world. Myrrh, for example, was associated with death and burial, but also with purification. Cinnamon and calamus were valued for their fragrance and believed to have medicinal properties.
Precision: The specific quantities highlight the importance of following God's instructions exactly. The recipe was not arbitrary.
In conclusion, Exodus 30:23 provides detailed instructions for the ingredients of a sacred anointing oil, emphasizing its purpose as a symbol of holiness and dedication.
Exodus 30:23 - “Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels; and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty; and of fragrant cane, two hundred and fifty;
What does "Exodus 30:23" mean?
Exodus 30:23 is part of a recipe for a sacred anointing oil that God instructs Moses to make. Let's break down what the verse describes:
"Also take fine spices": This establishes that the following ingredients are spices, and of a particularly high quality. They are intended to be fragrant and contribute to the overall aroma and holiness of the anointing oil.
"of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels": Myrrh is a resin from a specific tree. "Liquid myrrh" likely refers to a particularly pure or easily workable form of the resin. A "shekel" was a unit of weight. Five hundred shekels represents the largest quantity of any single spice in the recipe.
"and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty": Cinnamon is a well-known spice derived from the bark of certain trees. "Half as much" refers to half the amount of myrrh, so 250 shekels.
"and of fragrant cane, two hundred and fifty": "Fragrant cane" is most often interpreted as calamus or sweet cane. Calamus is a reed-like plant with an aromatic root. Again, the amount is 250 shekels.
In essence, the verse specifies three ingredients and their proportions for a sacred anointing oil:
1. Liquid Myrrh: 500 shekels
2. Fragrant Cinnamon: 250 shekels
3. Fragrant Cane (Calamus): 250 shekels
Significance:
Sacredness: This anointing oil was not for ordinary use. It was specifically designated for consecrating the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests. The specific recipe emphasizes the oil's holiness and set-apart nature.
Symbolism: While interpretations vary, each of these spices likely carried symbolic weight in the ancient world. Myrrh, for example, was associated with death and burial, but also with purification. Cinnamon and calamus were valued for their fragrance and believed to have medicinal properties.
Precision: The specific quantities highlight the importance of following God's instructions exactly. The recipe was not arbitrary.
In conclusion, Exodus 30:23 provides detailed instructions for the ingredients of a sacred anointing oil, emphasizing its purpose as a symbol of holiness and dedication.