Exodus 39:38

the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Moses records the final inventory of the tabernacle furnishings after the Israelites complete the construction. The list concludes the detailed account of the sanctuary's materials and layout.

The words — The text lists מִזְבַּח הַזָּהָב (mizbech ha-zahav), meaning the gold altar, alongside קְטֹרֶת (qetoreth), the fragrant incense, and שֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה (shemen ham-mishchah), the anointing oil.

The thread — These items reappear in the sanctuary instructions of Exodus 25:6, Exodus 30:3, and Exodus 30:7. Exodus 30:7 specifies that Aaron burns this incense on the altar daily.

Why it lands — The verse functions as a structural checkpoint, confirming that every prescribed material and utensil has been fabricated and placed. It demands the reader recognize the exactness of the construction before the narrative moves to the priests' ordination.

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

וְאֵת֙ve./'Etand/ <obj.>מִזְבַּ֣חmiz.Bach[the] altar of הַזָּהָ֔בha./za.Hav<the>/ gold וְאֵת֙ve./'Etand/ <obj.>שֶׁ֣מֶןShe.men[the] oil of הַמִּשְׁחָ֔הha./mish.Chah<the>/ anointing וְאֵ֖תve./'Etand/ <obj.>קְטֹ֣רֶתke.To.ret[the] incense of הַסַּמִּ֑יםha./sa.Mimthe/ perfume<s>וְאֵ֕תve./'Etand/ <obj.>מָסַ֖ךְma.Sakh[the] screen of פֶּ֥תַחPe.tach[the] entrance of הָאֹֽהֶל׃ha./'O.helthe/ tent

King James Version

And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,

Cross-references

Exodus 30:7 And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps.
Exodus 25:6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;
Exodus 30:3 Overlay with pure gold the top and all the sides and horns, and make a molding of gold around it.
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.”
Exodus 35:8 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;
Exodus 37:29 He also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense, the work of a perfumer.
2 Chronicles 2:4 Behold, I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God to dedicate to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for displaying the showbread continuously, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening as well as on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is ordained for Israel forever.