Exodus 30:23
ESV
"Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane,
NIV
"Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus,
NASB
Take also for yourself the finest of spices: of liquid myrrh five hundred shekels, and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, 250, and of fragrant cane 250,
CSB
"Take for yourself the finest spices: 12½ pounds of liquid myrrh, half as much (6¼ pounds ) of fragrant cinnamon, 6¼ pounds of fragrant cane,
NLT
Collect choice spices — 12 1/2 pounds of pure myrrh, 6 1/4 pounds of fragrant cinnamon, 6 1/4 pounds of fragrant calamus,
KJV
Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
NKJV
“Also take for yourself quality spices—five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane,
What does Exodus 30:23 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Exodus 30; verse-level content coming soon!Exodus 30:22–33 gives the components to a sacred anointing oil. Moses will make this from olive oil infused with aromatic substances such as myrrh, cinnamon, and other local spices. This is the oil used to consecrate the priests (Exodus 29) and all the objects associated with the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). Every other use of this anointing oil is strictly forbidden, as are imitations of it.
Items described here function with other sacred objects (Exodus 25—28) constructed for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). One is a small gold-lined altar for incense. The other is a large bronze basin for ceremonial washing. The last two sets of instructions are for specially formulated anointing oil and sacred incense. Israel will establish a national tax to pay for these.
