Exodus 30:25

Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — God addresses Moses on Mount Sinai, issuing precise manufacturing instructions immediately after listing the oil's ingredients. The command bridges the preparation phase and the subsequent consecration of the tabernacle and its furnishings.

The words — The Hebrew verb עָשִׂיתָ (‘āśîṯā) translates literally as "you will make," governing the noun phrase שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת קֹדֶשׁ (šemen mišḥat qōdeš), meaning "oil of anointing holiness." The clause מַעֲשֵׂה רֹקַח (ma‘ăśeh rōqaḥ) defines the mixture as the crafted work of a perfumer.

The thread — The execution of this command appears in Exodus 37:29 when the tabernacle artisans complete the oil and incense. The consecration mandate using this oil is reiterated in Exodus 40:9 and reflected in the priestly spice-preparation duties recorded in 1 Chronicles 9:30.

Why it lands — The text requires exact replication of a specified formula, prohibiting substitution or improvisation in sacred preparation. A reader must acknowledge that consecrated service depends on strict compliance with divinely given materials and procedures rather than human ingenuity.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְעָשִׂ֣יתָve./'a.Si.taand/ you will make אֹת֗וֹ'o.T/o<obj.>/ it שֶׁ֚מֶןShe.menoil of מִשְׁחַת־mish.chat-anointing of קֹ֔דֶשׁKo.deshholiness רֹ֥קַחRo.kachperfume of מִרְקַ֖חַתmir.Ka.chatan ointment-pot מַעֲשֵׂ֣הma.'a.Seh[the] work of רֹקֵ֑חַro.Ke.acha perfumer שֶׁ֥מֶןShe.menoil of מִשְׁחַת־mish.chat-anointing of קֹ֖דֶשׁKo.deshholiness יִהְיֶֽה׃yih.Yehit will be

King James Version

And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

Cross-references

Exodus 37:29 He also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense, the work of a perfumer.
Exodus 40:9 Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy.
1 Chronicles 9:30 And some of the sons of the priests mixed the spices.
Psalms 89:20 I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.
Psalms 133:2 It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.
Numbers 35:25 The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.
Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”