The Alter of Incense

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Chapter 30 describes the Alter of Incense. It was to be made of acacia wood, 18 inches square by 3 feet high. It was to be overlaid with pure gold. There were to be horns on the four corners and two rings on each side through which poles were placed for carrying. It was to be placed in the "Holy Place" close to the veil at the entrance of the Holy of Holies. Aaron was to burn incense on it every morning and every evening when he tended the lamps. Aaron was to make atonement for the people once a year by pouring the blood of the sin offering upon its horns. Also at this time, a census was to be taken and those over 20 years old would give half a shekel as an atonement offering. (The sanctuary shekel was 5/6 of the common shekel, approx. 1/5 oz.)

Then the Lord instructed Moses to make a Laver out of bronze. It was to be placed in the courtyard between the alter and the door to the Tabernacle. It was used for Aaron and his sons to wash their hands and feet. This they had to do each time before doing any of their priestly duties or they would die.

Then instructions were given for making"Holy Anointing Oil". They were to use 12 pounds of liquid myrrh, 6 pounds of sweet smelling cinnamon, 6 pounds of aromatic cane and 12 pounds of cassia. These were to be blended with a "hin" (3.86 quarts) of olive oil and with this, everything was to be anointed. including Aaron and his sons.

Then the Lord gave instructions for the making of incense. Equal parts of sweet spice, stacte (a vanilla like fragrance), onycha (made from a mollusk) galbanum (a gum resin with an aromatic odor taken from a plant that looks like a carrot), and sweet spices and pure frankincense. These were to be blended together and seasoned with salt. It was to be used in the Holy of Holies when the High Priest went in to talk to the Lord. Anyone who copied this to make a perfume would be expelled from the people.

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