Exodus 30:32

It must not be used to anoint an ordinary man, and you must not make anything like it with the same formula. It is holy, and it must be holy to you.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Lord addresses Moses and the Israelites during the tabernacle instructions, establishing permanent regulations for the sacred anointing oil.

The words — `יִסָּךְ` (yi.Sakh) denotes it will be poured, and `תַעֲשׂ֖וּ` (ta.'a.Su) commands you must make, framing the prohibition against pouring the oil on a `בְּשַׂר` (be.Sar) ordinary person or crafting a copy using its `מַתְכֻּנְתּ֔וֹ` (Mat.kun.T/o) proportions.

The thread — The restriction echoes the preparation command in Exodus 30:25, parallels the incense prohibition in Exodus 30:37, and aligns with the priestly consecration in Leviticus 21:10.

Why it lands — The text demands strict separation between the sacred and the common, requiring readers to treat the oil as set apart and to refrain from replicating its formula for personal or unauthorized use.

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

עַל־'al-on בְּשַׂ֤רbe.Sar[the] body of אָדָם֙'a.Dama person לֹ֣אlo'not יִיסָ֔ךְyi.Sakhit will be poured וּבְמַ֨תְכֻּנְתּ֔וֹu./ve./Mat.kun.T/oand/ in/ proportion[s]/ its לֹ֥אlo'not תַעֲשׂ֖וּta.'a.Suyou must make כָּמֹ֑הוּka.Mo./hulike/ it קֹ֣דֶשׁKo.desh[is] a holy thing ה֔וּאHu'it קֹ֖דֶשׁKo.desha holy thing יִהְיֶ֥הyih.Yehit will beלָכֶֽם׃la./Khemto <the>/ you

King James Version

Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.

Cross-references

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.
Exodus 30:37 You are never to use this formula to make incense for yourselves; you shall regard it as holy to the LORD.
Leviticus 21:10 The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments.
Matthew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.