Bible Strands

Exodus 31:11

in addition to the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them according to all that I have commanded you.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The LORD addresses Moses directly to finalize instructions for tabernacle furnishings and priestly vestments. The command follows the decree regarding Aaron’s garments and immediately precedes the Sabbath ordinance.

The words — The text specifies שֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה (shemen ham-mishchah, "the anointing oil") and קְטֹרֶת הַסַּמִּים (qetoret ha-sammim, "the fragrant incense") as distinct sacred preparations. It concludes with כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִךָ (ke-khol asher tziyvitakha, "according to all that I have commanded you"), stressing exact compliance with the divine blueprint.

The thread — The execution of these preparations is later recorded in Exodus 37:29, where artisans finish the sacred anointing oil and pure incense. Their initial ingredient list appears in Exodus 30:23, which outlines the spice components for the mixture.

Why it lands — The verse demands precise replication of sacred materials without deviation or personal modification. Readers must recognize that holy service requires strict adherence to prescribed methods rather than creative adaptation.

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

וְאֵ֨תve./'Etand/ <obj.>שֶׁ֧מֶןShe.men[the] oil ofהַמִּשְׁחָ֛הha./mish.Chah<the>/ anointingוְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>קְטֹ֥רֶתke.To.ret[the] incense ofהַסַּמִּ֖יםha./sa.Mimthe/ perfume<s>לַקֹּ֑דֶשׁla./Ko.deshfor the/ holy placeכְּכֹ֥לke./Kholaccording to/ allאֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-thatצִוִּיתִ֖ךָtzi.vi.Ti./khaI have commanded/ youיַעֲשֽׂוּ׃ פya.'a.Suthey will do

King James Version

And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.

Cross-references