Making the Altar of Incense
Exodus 37:25-29
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Exo.37.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקטרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ארכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רחבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- רבוע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ואמתים: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- קמתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- קרנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,poss
Parallels
- Exod.30:1-6 (quotation): Gives the original instructions for the altar of incense (acacia wood, one cubit by one cubit, two cubits high, with horns) which Exodus 37:25 repeats in Bezalel’s construction.
- Exod.27:1-2 (structural): Description of the altar of burnt offering: also acacia wood, square with horns and specified dimensions—parallels in form and cultic function though different size.
- Hebrews 9:4 (allusion): New Testament reference to the golden altar of incense among the tabernacle furnishings, alluding to the same cultic object and its significance.
- Rev.8:3-4 (thematic): Uses the altar-of-incense imagery (angel with a censer and incense offered with the prayers of the saints), echoing the tabernacle’s incense/altar symbolism found in Exodus 37:25.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made the altar of incense of acacia wood—its length a cubit and its width a cubit, square, and two cubits its height; its horns were of one piece with it.
- And he made the altar of incense of acacia wood: a cubit its length and a cubit its width—square—and two cubits its height; its horns were of one piece with it.
Exo.37.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טהור: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- גגו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- קירתיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- סביב: ADV
- ואת: CONJ
- קרנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- זר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סביב: ADV
Parallels
- Exodus 25:11 (verbal): Direct instruction on the ark: it is to be overlaid with pure gold and have a gold moulding/crown around it — virtually the same wording and command as executed in Exod 37:26.
- Exodus 25:17-22 (structural): Description of the mercy‑seat and cherubim that sit on the ark’s lid; provides the immediate ritual and architectural context for the gold overlay and the crown/wreath described in Exod 37:26.
- 1 Kings 6:20 (thematic): Solomon’s inner sanctuary (the oracle) is overlaid with pure gold — a parallel motif of sacred furniture/space being covered with pure gold to signify holiness and splendor.
- Hebrews 9:5 (allusion): New Testament reference to the mercy‑seat and the cherubim ’shadowing’ it; the passage treats the same sacred object (the ark and its gold-covered cover) as the focal point of atonement imagery, echoing the significance of the gold‑overlay in Exod 37:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he overlaid it with pure gold—its top, its sides all around, and its horns; and he made for it a molding of gold all around.
- And he overlaid it with pure gold—its top and its sides all around, and its horns—and he made for it a rim of gold all around.
Exo.37.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושתי: CONJ+NUM,f,du
- טבעת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מתחת: PREP
- לזרו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- צלעתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- צדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לבתים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לבדים: ADV
- לשאת: VERB,qal,inf
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exod.25:12 (verbal): Direct parallel instruction earlier in the Sinai-law section: make two rings of gold on the two sides for poles — same wording and ritual function.
- Exod.25:13-15 (verbal): Continues the verbal prescription about inserting poles into the rings and using them to carry the holy object, matching the construction and carrying arrangement described in 37:27.
- Num.4:5-6,15 (structural): Practical regulations for handling and carrying the most holy objects with poles (covered and borne by Levites), reflecting the prescribed use of rings and poles and rules for transport.
- 2 Sam.6:3-8 (thematic): Narrative account of transporting the ark on poles (and the fatal consequences when handled improperly, as with Uzzah), thematically linked to the ark’s pole-and-ring transport arrangement described in Exodus 37:27.
Alternative generated candidates
- And two rings of gold he made for it under its molding, on its two side-walls—on its two sides—as holders for the poles, to carry it by them.
- And he made for it two rings of gold under its rim, on its two sides—on its two flanks—as holders for the poles, to carry it by them.
Exo.37.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הבדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויצף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.25:13 (verbal): Direct instruction in the construction specifications: make poles of acacia (shittim) wood and overlay them with gold — same wording as the craft description.
- Exod.37:5 (verbal): Within the Bezalel construction account the same statement appears describing the making and gilding of the poles for the ark (essentially a repetition of the specification as executed).
- Num.4:6-7 (structural): Rules for transporting the holy objects state that the poles remain in the rings of the ark when it is covered and carried — connects to the poles’ functional role and their construction/placement.
- Heb.9:4 (allusion): New Testament reference to the ark (its gold overlay and sacred contents) that alludes to the same cultic object crafted in Exodus; while Hebrews does not detail the poles, it treats the same artifact.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
- And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.
Exo.37.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שמן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המשחה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- קטרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הסמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- טהור: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רקח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 30:22-33 (quotation): Gives the divine recipe and command for the holy anointing oil (shmen hamishchah) that 37:29 says was made; 37:29 is the fulfilment of these instructions.
- Exodus 30:34-38 (quotation): Provides the formula and prohibition regarding the sacred incense (ketoret) described in 37:29; 37:29 reports the making of that pure, perfumer’s incense.
- Exodus 35:30-35 (thematic): Describes God’s endowment of Bezalel with skill and wisdom to perform sacred craftsmanship — the background for 37:29’s statement that these holy items were made (by the skilled artisans).
- Leviticus 8:10-12 (allusion): Narrates Moses anointing the tabernacle and its vessels with the holy anointing oil (made as in Exod. 30), connecting the oil of 37:29 to its liturgical use in consecration.
- Leviticus 16:12-13 (thematic): Describes the priestly use of incense on the Day of Atonement, underlining the cultic function of the pure incense mentioned in 37:29.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made the holy anointing oil, and the incense of aromatic spices—pure—work of a perfumer.
- And he made the holy anointing oil and the incense of spices, pure—work of a perfumer.
And he made the altar of incense of acacia wood—a cubit its length and a cubit its breadth, square, and two cubits its height; its horns were of one piece with it. And he overlaid it with pure gold—its top and its sides all around, and its horns—and he made for it a molding of gold all around. And he made for it two rings of gold under its molding, on its two flanks—on its two sides—as housings for the poles, to carry it by them. And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of fragrant spices—the work of a perfumer.