Exodus 30:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you.

NIV: Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you.

NASB: You shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the atoning cover that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you.

CSB: "You are to place the altar in front of the curtain by the ark of the testimony—in front of the mercy seat that is over the testimony—where I will meet with you.

NLT: Place the incense altar just outside the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant, in front of the Ark’s cover — the place of atonement — that covers the tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. I will meet with you there.

KJV: And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

NKJV: And you shall put it before the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony, where I will meet with you.

Exodus 30:1–10 records the design of a special altar for God's sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). This is smaller than the altar used for animal sacrifices (Exodus 27:1). The golden altar (Hebrews 9:3–4) is meant for daily burning of incense (Exodus 30:34). This altar is not used for other sacrifices, though some believe the single atonement each year where Aaron applies blood to an altar's horns (Leviticus 16:18; 23:27) refers to this object. The incense altar is made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Israel transports it with gilded poles fitting into two rings.

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.

Much of Exodus is a description of the tabernacle and its components (Exodus 25—28). This is the last section of new designs given in this book. God will assign craftsmen to make the sacred objects (Exodus 31). But while Moses receives these instructions, Israel slips into idolatry (Exodus 32). The last several chapters of Exodus record how God's earlier instructions were followed with precision.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.