Exodus 30:34
ESV
The Lord said to Moses, "Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part),
NIV
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts,
NASB
Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Take for yourself spices—stacte, onycha, and galbanum, spices and pure frankincense; there shall be an equal part of each.
CSB
The Lord said to Moses: "Take fragrant spices: stacte, onycha, and galbanum; the spices and pure frankincense are to be in equal measures.
NLT
Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Gather fragrant spices — resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum — and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts.
KJV
And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
NKJV
And the Lord said to Moses: “Take sweet spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, and pure frankincense with these sweet spices; there shall be equal amounts of each.
What does Exodus 30:34 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Exodus 30; verse-level content coming soon!Exodus 30:34–38 is a recipe for ceremonial incense. Ingredients include gum resins such as frankincense and other natural materials, including "onycha," which is made from seashells. The resulting mix cannot be used for any other purpose. This finely-ground substance is part of God's design for His sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). Israel will use the incense at the golden altar (Hebrews 9:3–4) in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:1–10).
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.