Exodus 30:32

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 30:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Upon the flesh of man shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any like it, according to the composition thereof: it is holy, [and] it shall be holy unto you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Upon the flesh of man shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any like it, according to the composition thereof: it is holy, [and] it shall be holy unto you.
Exodus 30:32 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
32Upon the flesh of man shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any like it, according to the composition thereof: it is holy, [and] it shall be holy unto you.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, etc.] That is, not upon common men, or on men’s flesh in common, as was usual at feasts and entertainments in the eastern countries, (see <192305>Psalm 23:5 <420746>Luke 7:46) but this was not to be used on such occasions, otherwise it was poured on the flesh of some men, as Aaron and his sons, on whose head it was poured and ran down to the beard: neither shall ye make [any other] like it, after the composition of it; for private uses: it [is] holy, [and] it shall be holy unto you; it was set apart for sacred use by the Lord, and so it was to be reckoned by them, and not to be used in any way, or for any other purpose than he had directed: all which…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Compare Exodus 37:29. Exodus 30:23 Principal spices - i. e. the best spices. Pure myrrh - Is a gum which comes from the stem of a low, thorny, ragged tree, that grows in Arabia Felix and Eastern Africa, called by botanists Balsamodendron myrrha. The word here rendered pure, is literally, “freely flowing”, an epithet which is explained by the fact that the best myrrh is said to exude spontaneously from the bark, while that of inferior quality oozes out in greater quantity from incisions made in the bark. Five hundred shekels - Probably rather more than 15 1/4 lbs. See Exodus 38:24. Cinnamon - is obtained from a tree allied to the laurel that grows in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and other islands of…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“man's: Lev 21:10; Mat 7:6 it is: Exo 30:25, Exo 30:37, Exo 30:38 Exodus 30:33”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification