Exodus 30:6 - You shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.
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What does "Exodus 30:6" mean?
This verse from Exodus 30:6 describes the placement of the Altar of Incense within the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary constructed by the Israelites in the wilderness. Let's break down the elements and their significance to understand the verse's meaning:
"You shall put it before the veil...": This refers to the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (also called the Holy of Holies). The Altar of Incense was to be placed in the Holy Place, but very close to this veil.
"...that is by the ark of the testimony...": This clarifies the location of the veil. It was the veil directly in front of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle.
"...before the mercy seat that is over the testimony...": The "mercy seat" (also called the "atonement cover") was the golden lid of the Ark of the Covenant. "The testimony" refers to the tablets of the Ten Commandments which were kept inside the Ark. So, the Altar of Incense was to be placed in front of the place where the mercy seat covered the commandments inside the ark.
"...where I will meet with you.": This is the core of the verse's meaning. It states that God would meet with the priest (specifically the High Priest) in this designated place. The fragrant smoke of the incense would rise up, symbolizing prayers ascending to God. This area, near the Ark and before the veil, was the designated place of communion between God and his people.
In essence, the verse designates the specific location for the Altar of Incense and, more importantly, highlights it as a place of divine encounter. The placement is significant:
Proximity to the Holy of Holies: The Altar's proximity to the most sacred space emphasized the holiness of the incense offering and the seriousness of approaching God.
Symbolism of Prayer: The burning incense was a fragrant offering that symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God.
Atonement and Mercy: Being before the mercy seat (where atonement for sins was made annually) links the incense offering to the forgiveness of sins and God's mercy.
Therefore, Exodus 30:6 is not simply a directive about placement. It's a statement about accessibility to God through prescribed rituals and the promise of God's presence in a designated place. It foreshadows, for Christians, the accessibility to God through Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate mediator and sacrifice for sin.
Exodus 30:6 - You shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you.
What does "Exodus 30:6" mean?
This verse from Exodus 30:6 describes the placement of the Altar of Incense within the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary constructed by the Israelites in the wilderness. Let's break down the elements and their significance to understand the verse's meaning:
"You shall put it before the veil...": This refers to the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (also called the Holy of Holies). The Altar of Incense was to be placed in the Holy Place, but very close to this veil.
"...that is by the ark of the testimony...": This clarifies the location of the veil. It was the veil directly in front of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle.
"...before the mercy seat that is over the testimony...": The "mercy seat" (also called the "atonement cover") was the golden lid of the Ark of the Covenant. "The testimony" refers to the tablets of the Ten Commandments which were kept inside the Ark. So, the Altar of Incense was to be placed in front of the place where the mercy seat covered the commandments inside the ark.
"...where I will meet with you.": This is the core of the verse's meaning. It states that God would meet with the priest (specifically the High Priest) in this designated place. The fragrant smoke of the incense would rise up, symbolizing prayers ascending to God. This area, near the Ark and before the veil, was the designated place of communion between God and his people.
In essence, the verse designates the specific location for the Altar of Incense and, more importantly, highlights it as a place of divine encounter. The placement is significant:
Proximity to the Holy of Holies: The Altar's proximity to the most sacred space emphasized the holiness of the incense offering and the seriousness of approaching God.
Symbolism of Prayer: The burning incense was a fragrant offering that symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God.
Atonement and Mercy: Being before the mercy seat (where atonement for sins was made annually) links the incense offering to the forgiveness of sins and God's mercy.
Therefore, Exodus 30:6 is not simply a directive about placement. It's a statement about accessibility to God through prescribed rituals and the promise of God's presence in a designated place. It foreshadows, for Christians, the accessibility to God through Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate mediator and sacrifice for sin.