1._And thou shalt make an altar. _God now issues His commands respecting the altar of burnt incense, whereby the people were assured that the odor of the worship under the Law was sweet to Him. This ceremony indeed also prevailed among the Gentiles; whence there is frequent mention made by heathen a... [ Continue Reading ]
10._And Aaron shall make an atonement. _We should observe here the correspondence between the two altars; for, as the Israelites were admonished that the sacrifices would not please God, unless all uncleanness were wiped away by pure and holy prayers, so also the altar of incense was purified by the... [ Continue Reading ]
12._When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel. _The tribute which God here demands at the taking of the census, is very fitly annexed to the First Commandment; for God, in making them tributary to Himself, shews that they were under His jurisdiction and power; and because He had purchased t... [ Continue Reading ]
18._Thou shalt also make a laver of brass. _Although this oblation was a sign of the purity which God required in His priests, yet, inasmuch as this hollow vessel (_concha_) or laver, which supplied the water, was a part or utensil of the sanctuary, I have thought it best to insert here what is orda... [ Continue Reading ]
23._Take thou also unto thee principal spices. _Although the oil here treated of was not only destined for the anointing of the priests, but also of the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, the altars, and all the vessels, yet no fitter place occurs for discussing the sacred unction, than by connect... [ Continue Reading ]
25._And thou shalt take it an oil of holy ointment. _Although the genitive is put in the place of an epithet, as if Moses had said “a holy oil;” yet it is so called from its effect, because without it nothing is accounted pure. And assuredly the Spirit of God sanctifies ourselves and all that is our... [ Continue Reading ]
34._Take unto thee sweet spices. _This oblation might have been noticed with the others, yet, since it merely describes the composition of the incense, which is connected with the altar of incense, and in fact is but an appendage to it, I have seen no reason why I should separate them. Let the curio... [ Continue Reading ]