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"Bring the bull to the front of the Tent of my presence and tell Aaron and his sons to put their hands on its head. Kill the bull there in my holy presence at the entrance of the Tent."
- Exodus 29: 10 - 11, Good News Translation, see link below.
Chapter 29
1
And this is "dabar" (matter / thing) that "ata / ta" (you)...
"here's looking at 'you'":
We've seen this sort of phrasing all through these instructions. And it is easy to assume that God is specifying Moses to do these things, or to at least see to it that it is done.
In chapter 25 verse 40 the "attah" (you) is singular when God refers to the vision that Moses was shown. But here the "ata / ta" (you) is more general, although both are forms of the same root word. Although the second term can be used to indicate that Moses is the one getting the instructions, it can also mean the people as a group. And in certain cases, the 'you' could mean "the Human Race", but we'll come back to that one in a moment.
What we need to remember here is that GOD is giving instructions to Moses for a One Time incident, the building of the Tabernacle and assorted pieces parts thereof, and He is also giving instructions to the Priests, and by extension, the Children of Israel as a nation for future generations, which is why the phrases "for a memorial" and related ideas keep recurring. That 'you' is / are supposed to keep doing it for generations to come. For a good example, read on to chapter 29 verse 9.
end look
we'll now restart the chapter
Chapter 29
1 - 3 Summary and Discussion:
This section deals with the process and ceremony to consecrate / set apart the priests for ministering in the Tabernacle.
The text specifies a bull (not one that has been castrated, an 'ox'), and two young rams without "tanim" (whole / complete / unblemished), and unleavened bread...
Welcome to a good example of the specifics listed in the text for the operations of the Tabernacle. In the previous chapters we saw everything down to the curtains having loops of blue yarn and how many bronze sockets for the gate. Here we have specified in the Hebrew that they are to make unleavened "lechem" (bread), and "challah" (cake / loaf) unleavened "balal" (mixed) with "shemen" (oil (most probably, olive oil, but can be from other plant sources)), and "raqiq" (thin cake / wafer / 'cracker') unleavened and "mashach" (annoint) with oil - of "soleth" (fine flour) "chittah" (wheat) you shall make them.
That list includes three different forms of unleavened 'bread', two of which have olive oil either in the mix or brushed / sprinkled over them.
The instructions then specify that the various breads are to be put in a basket and brought in with the animals.
4 - 9 Summary and Discussion:
The section specifies that 'you' shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle and "rachats" (bathe / wash) them with water. There is no mention of what was to happen to their 'street clothes'. Then they are to take the garments and put them on - Aaron - the tunic, and the robe of the ephod, and the breastplate, and "aphad" (bind / equip / gird) him with the woven band of the ephod. Then put the turban on his head, and the "nezer" (crown) "qodesh" (holy) on the turban.....
That term, 'holy crown', is not used in verse 36 and the following parts of chapter 28 where it discussed what the text has to be referring to now. The golden plate with the engraving on it that is secured with the blue cord.
... And "mishchah" (anoint) him with oil. Then they are to put the tunics on his sons, and gird them with "abnet" (sashes / belts) and put the "migbaoth" (turban / head covering) and it shall be "hem" (them / those) "kehunnah" (priesthood) for a "chuqqah" (statute / ordinance) "olam" (eternity / forever / perpetual)
10 - 14 Summary and Discussion:
The text explains how the bull is to be killed, including what is to be done with the blood. Then it specifies that the internal fat is to be burned on the altar. But the flesh and skin and "peresh" (refuse (implies the intestines, lungs, etc)) you will burn in fire outside the camp - a "chatta'ah" (sin offering) it is.
This is the first mention of the burnt offering, and its blood, being a sin offering in the Old Testament.
15 - 18 Summary and Discussion:
This is about the first ram, and its blood. The difference is that the entire ram, once it is cut up and washed, is to be burned on the altar as a "olah" (burnt offering) to YHWH - a "reyach" (scent / fragrance / aroma) "nichoach" (soothing / pleasant / delightful), "ishsheh" ('an offering made by fire') to YHWH.
19 - 21 Summary and Discussion:
Then the second ram is to be brought in and killed and...
... and take some "dam" (blood) and put it on "tenuk" (pinnacle / extremity (also: infant)) right "ozen" (ear) and on the right ear of his sons, and on the tip of "bohen" (the same word is used to refer to the thumb and the big toe, depending on the reference) "yad" (hand) "yemani" (right side / southern) and on the tip "bohen" "regel" (feet / foot) "yemani" (right side), then sprinkle the rest all over the altar.
Then take some of the blood on the altar, and some anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on their garments -...
and "qadash" (set apart / consecrate) him and his "beged" (garment / clothing) and his sons, and their clothes.
22 - 28 Summary and Discussion:
Now the text specifies what to do with the fat of the ram, and it specifies organ fat, and the fat of the 'right thigh', the ram of consecration it is.
And one loaf of the bread, and one oil cake, and one wafer from the basket that is before YHWH - put all these in the hands of Aaron, and the hands of his sons - and you shall "nuph" ('move to and fro' / wave / brandish) them as a "tenuphah" (wave offering) before YHWH. And you shall "lawach" (receive / take) them from their hands and burn them on the altar as a burnt offering.... sweet aroma....
And take the "chazeh" (breast / chest) of the ram of consecration of Aaron and wave it, and it shall be your portion. And you shall consecrate the breast of the wave offering, and the thigh of the "terumah" ('heave offering' / tribute (this is the first mention of that sort of offering)) which is waved, and is raised from the ram of consecration for Aaron, and his sons.
shall be a statute forever from the sons of Israel for a "terumah" ('heave offering').... that term is used three more times in this verse .... "zebach" (sacrifice) "shalem" (peace offering) to YHWH.
The idea of the 'heave offering' is that it is something offered up to God. The 'wave offering' is something that is presented to God, and it is shown as such by being held up and moved 'to and fro'. These are in addition to the specific burnt offerings. And later we'll come across other types of offerings.
29 - 30 Summary:
The garments holy of Aaron "hayah" (become / to be / come to pass) his sons after him - "mishchah" (anointed) in them and "male / mala" (set apart / consecrated) in them. For "sheba / shibah" (seven) "yom" (days) shall put them on "kohen" (priest) in his place that son when he enters the tent of meeting to "sharath" (serve) holy.
It is saying it takes seven days for the next generation of priests to be set apart for this duty.
31 - 37 Discussion:
This section explains the menu for the priests. Part of the one ram, the 'chest', is to be boiled for the priests, served with the rest of the bread in the basket.
But it is also prohibited for an "zuwr" (stranger / foreigner) to eat them. This comes up in 1 Samuel 21 : 1 and following where David, in an emergency, went in and the priest gave it to him and his men.
If anything is left over it is to be burned in the fire because it is holy...
This section does not explain what the families of the priests are to eat, or are they 'strangers'? Or for that matter, what about the priest on his day off?
... Then it restates the seven day period for consecration. With a bull as a sin offering every day that week, with anointing, and cleansing the altar to sanctify the 'most holy altar', and whatever touches the altar must be holy.
Which includes the items used in the service of the tabernacle, they must be dedicated to it, and not their household things, or something they found outside.
38 - 41 Summary and Discussion:
This is what shall be offered on the altar: "kebes" (lamb / young ram) of a year old (or less) two, day by day, "tamid" (perpetually / always / etc). One in the morning and one at "ereb" (evening / sunset) - "issaron" (tenth (of the ephah, which was just over half a bushel, that we saw in chapter 16)) "soleth" (fine flour) mixed with oil and pressed, and as a "necek" (libation / drink offering) a fourth of a "hin" (hin (a 'hin' was about a gallon)) with the morning lamb.
The 'twilight lamb' is to be offered with the grain offering and drink offering for a sweet aroma to YHWH offered by fire.
42 Summary and Discussion:
This "olah" (burnt offering) "tamid" (continual / perpetual / always) "dor" (generations / ages) at the "pethach" (entrance / gate) of the "ohel" (tabernacle / tent) before the "panim / paneh" (presence) of YHWH, where I will "yaad" (meet / assemble with) you there to "dabar" (speak / declare / command / converse / etc).
This verse explains why the tent has been called the "Tent of Meeting". As we said before, it wasn't a tent where the people went to hold a meeting to discuss when they were going to have a communal sheep-sheering day. It was the Tent where Aaron, and now the priests, were to Meet GOD. The explanation continues in the next verse.
43 - 44 Summary and Discussion:
And I will meet there with the sons of Israel and 'the tabernacle' shall be "qadash" (set apart / sanctified / 'made holy') by My "kabowd" (glory / splendor / etc). So I will "qadash" (set apart / sanctify...) the tabernacle of meeting, and the altar - and both Aaron and his sons I will "qadash" (set apart / sanctify) to "kahan" (work as priest / minister) to Me.
Again, it is the presence of God that Sanctifies something / somebody that has been Consecrated (set apart).
45 - 46 Summary and Discussion:
And I will "shakan" (reside / abide / dwell) "tavek" (midst / among) of the sons of Israel, and "hayah" (to be / become / exist) their "Elohim" (God).
And they will "yada" (know / understand / acknowledge) that "ani" (I AM) YHWH their "Elohim" (God), who brought them out of Egypt, that I may "shakan" (reside / abide / dwell) "tavek" (midst / among) them. "ani" (I AM) YHWH their "Elohim" (God)
This explains why He brought them out of Egypt. Also, the repetition is for emphasis.
end ch 29
"The LORD said to Moses, 'Take an equal part of each of the following sweet spices - stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. Use them to make incense, mixed like perfume. Add salt to keep it pure and holy.'"
- Exodus 30: 34 35, Good News Translation, see link below.
Chapter 30
1 - 6 Summary and Discussion:
This section deals with the altar of "qetoreth" (incense).
It is made from acacia wood, a cubit on each side and two high, with horns will be one piece. Overlaid everywhere with gold, and a gold trim all around.
With two gold rings under the molding, on two sides, for poles so it can be carried. The poles are to be acacia wood, covered in gold.
They are to put it in front of the veil that hides the Ark in the tent.
7 - 10 Discussion and Summary:
Now we have the schedule for Aaron to burn incense on it. When he tends to the lamps in the morning, and when he lights them at night, he is to burn incense....
An "qetoreth" (incense) "tamid" (perpetually / always / continually) "panim / paneh" (before / 'in' presence) YHWH for "dor" (generations / ages).
Not shall you offer on it incense "zuwr" (strange / foreign) "olah" (burnt offering), "minchah" ('grain' offering) - "necek" (drink offering / libation) nor "nacak" (pour out / anoint) on it.
And shall "kaphar" (to atone / to reconcile / to cover) Aaron upon its "qeren" (horns) once a year, with the "dam" (blood) of the "chatta'ah" (sin offering) of "kippurim" (atonement (the first use of this form of the word in the OT))
- once in the year (the phrase is repeated in the text) he shall make "kaphar" (to atone / reconcile...) upon it. 'Through your' "dor" (generations...) "qodesh" (holy / sacred) "qodesh" (holy / sacred) (word was repeated to be 'most holy') it is to YHWH.
11 - 16 Discussion and Summary:
'YHWH spoke to Moses and said,'
They are to take a census of the people, then every man, and the text here is specific for adult males, but later appears to apply to everyone, a "kopher" (ransom / life price (a form of the word used during the final scene in Egypt, see Exodus 6:6)) for himself to YHWH so there may be no "negeph" (plague / calamity).
This is what "kol" (all / every / entire) who are counted shall give, half a "sheqel" (shekel)....
Apparently a 'sheqel / shekel' weight was about half an ounce (11 grams) of whatever it was, including hair, wheat, and gold, or silver (see Genesis 23 : 16). At this point in the story they are still using the standard from Egypt, although, over time, that changed and Israel used their own standard weight for it. Later, but still ancient, shekel coins have been found with inscriptions as to what they were, see link below.
according to the shekel of the "qodesh" (sanctuary / holiness) - twenty "gerahs" (gerahs (a 'kernel' or 'small weight')) is a shekel - this is an offering to YHWH. "Kol" (everyone) - numbered from "esrim" (twenty) "shanah" (years) and over shall give the offering to YHWH.
The "ashir" (wealthy / rich) shall not give more, and the "dal" (weak / poor / lowly) not give less than half a shekel ... as an "kaphar" (atone / reconciliation / cover / etc) for yourselves....
(remember what we've said about repetition? Yes? Good... welcome to verse 16)
... the money goes to the service of the tabernacle as a memorial....
17 - 21 Discussion:
'YHWH spoke to Moses and said,'
These instructions are for the "kiyyor" (laver / basin (washbowl)) of bronze, with its base, for washing. It goes between the tabernacle and the altar, with water in it. So Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and feet. When they go into the tabernacle, 'lest they die', or when they come near the altar to burn offering. The washing statement is repeated, and it shall be a statute forever.
This symbolic washing is another theme that carries throughout the Bible, all the way into John's Apocalypse.
22 - 30 Discussion:
'And YHWH spoke to Moses and said,'
This section is about the Anointing Oil for the priests, and as you will see, its a good thing the Hebrews were camped out along a major trade route and had just implemented a 'Tabernacle Tax', or they wouldn't be making this oil. There's a note about where to find more information about the ingredients at the end of the chapter.
The base of the oil is "mor" (myrrh)....
Myrrh is a known substance that is a resin from a bush or tree that is usually covered with nail-like thorns. It has well documented medicinal properties (including to relieve toothaches!), and has also been used in incense and perfume since prehistoric times. Various species of the tree have a range from tropical Africa well into Southeast Asia, and the use of the oil from them is well documented everything from the Egyptian mummification process to the pampering of royalty (see Esther 2 : 12).
.... and "qinnamon" (cinnamon) sweet smelling...
Cinnamon oil is derived from the bark and / or leaves of cinnamon trees and has been used as a flavoring in food (the flavor of the oil is intense and less than a half teaspoon per pound of food is sufficient) or in incense, forever. As an anointing oil, it MUST be combined with other substances or it will burn the skin and cause pain or even a severe reaction. The trees, a type of evergreen, are native to Southeast Asia, especially Sri Lanka, also are used to produce the dried cinnamon spice, which also has medicinal properties, most famously being a digestive aid.
... and sweet-smelling "qaneh" (cane)....
As the text specifies that the cane smells sweet, it could be some sort of sugar cane, which was known in the ancient world, and was also imported from Southeast Asia as it wasn't widely cultivated in the region until several hundred years later. Also, natural 'cane' doesn't have anything we would call an 'oil' like the other two, however, an oil can be produced from the plant through the culturing of the natural fats in it. And, as it is derived from the source of sugar, it does smell, and taste, sweet.
.... and "qiddah" (cassia)...
This is from another of the larger family of cinnamon, this time, from China. It also has medicinal properties, being known for its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Also a 'hot oil' it has to be mixed with something else or it will irritate the skin.
... and oil of olive.
Olive Oil is a staple of the Bible, and is used for everything from cooking, as seen being brushed over the Unleavened Bread in a previous chapter, to fuel for the lamps to light the tabernacle, and now, for the anointing oil for the priests (and later as the oil used to anoint the sick while being prayed for in James 5 : 14). The oil is extracted by pressing the whole olive when fresh off the tree, and has been a known commodity around the Mediterranean since at least 7000 BC, and by the time of the Exodus had spread into Greece, Asia Minor, and Africa. It too has medicinal properties and is documented in works by Aristotle as a 'cure' for various ailments.
You shall make a 'holy anointing oil' from these, compounded by the art of the "raqach" (apothecary / mixer of perfumes). And you shall anoint the tabernacle and the Ark, and the table..., and the lampstand, and the altar..., and the basin..., with it.
And you shall "qadash" (set apart / etc) them, that they may be holy, whatever touches them must be holy. And Aaron and his sons shall be anointed that they may work as priests to Me.
31 - 33 Discussion:
To the Sons of Israel say...
... the "mishchah qodesh" (anointing oil holy) this shall be to Me for your "dor" (generations / ages). On "basar" (body / flesh) of man "lo" (not / no) shall it be "yasak" (poured / anointed) or any "mathkoneth / mathkuneth" (pattern / composition (means: 'don't make anything like it'), which is repeated), it is holy. And it is holy to you.
Anybody that makes anything like it, or uses it on a foreigner, shall be 'cut off from the people' / exiled.
34 - 38 Discussion:
'And said YHWH to Moses,'
This is about the incense that is to be burned in the tabernacle.
... take sweet spices "nataph" ('stacte' (means to drip)) ...
The identity of this one is a mystery. It is probably 'storax balsam' which is something similar to myrrh and another ingredient which we'll come to in a moment. Storax / styrax is derived from the sap of a type of sweetgum tree that is found in coastal Turkey. Like the previous substances, this one has been used for ages as both the resin, and the oil obtained from it, as a medicine, and in embalming in Egypt.
...and onycha ...
There's a problem with the identification of this one. The word "shecheleth" (onycha) means a shellfish. No form of mussel, or snail, or substance derived thereof, is ceremonially clean under Jewish Law. Even though the LAW has not been handed down, as yet, in Exodus, the fact that these things are to continue Forever, means that it would later become unclean, and therefore have to change. So, whatever this is, it isn't a 'clam' or anything like one. There is another possible subject for the word: the Cistus plant (also called the Rock-Rose or gum-cistus), which is native to the Mediterranean region, and produces a black/brown resin, labdanum, which is highly aromatic, and, oddly enough, was often collected by shepherds as the flowering plants grew in the pastures where the sheep and goats grazed. The resin has properties making it useful for incense as well as medicines used to treat everything from the common cold to rheumatism.
Now, if the editors of things like the "famous name Concordance" and various other Bible Studies have missed that, or just didn't think about it, what else did they miss or not think about? we'll move along now
.... and "chelbenah" (galbanum) ...
This is another fragrant plant from the area. The gum resin from it has been used by everybody from Hippocrates all the way through to the makers of Chanel No. 19 perfume.
... - these sweet spices, and pure "lebonah" (frankincense)...
The most famous ingredient in the mix. 'Frank' derived from a resin that is harvested from various types of Boswellia trees that grow in some of the most climatically (and politically) hostile environments in the region, including Somalia, Sudan, and Ethiopia. It has known and documented medicinal properties, and, like several of the other items listed here, was part of the Egyptian mummification process.
... equal amounts of each. Made by the art of the perfumer, pure and holy. Grind it into a powder, put it on the altar in front of the Ark... it is holy.
Do not duplicate it, it is GOD's. If anybody that makes something like it to smell, they must be exiled.
More about all of these ingredients can be found by dropping their name into the search engine of your choice. Adding those reference links to the study would have made this study page over twice the length it already was.
End Chapter 30
Selected Resources:
All links will open in a new tab/window, all were working as of original date of posting:
Interlinear English / Hebrew: Chapter 29 https://biblehub.com/interlinear/exodus/29.htm
Good News Translation https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/explore-the-bible/read/eng/GNB/Exod/29/
Several Translations Compared https://www.biblestudytools.com/compare-translations/exodus/29/
"Shekel worth its weight in gold" https://www.learnreligions.com/shekel-worth-its-weight-in-gold-3977062
NOTE: The Bible Study Lesson presented above is posted as a reference document to begin a conversation of the topic. And that's it. Please accept it at such.
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