Exodus 30:25-30

30:25 You are to make this ¹  into ²  a sacred anointing oil, a perfumed compound, ³  the work of a perfumer. It will be sacred anointing oil.

30:26 “With it you are to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony, 30:27 the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, the altar of incense, 30:28 the altar for the burnt offering and all its utensils, and the laver and its base. 30:29 So you are to sanctify them, ⁴  and they will be most holy; ⁵  anything that touches them will be holy. ⁶ 

30:30 “You are to anoint Aaron and his sons and ⁷  sanctify them, so that they may minister as my priests.

[30:25]  ¹ tn Heb “it.”

[30:25]  ² tn The word “oil” is an adverbial accusative, indicating the product that results from the verb (R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, §52).

[30:25]  ³ tn The somewhat rare words rendered “a perfumed compound” are both associated with a verbal root having to do with mixing spices and other ingredients to make fragrant ointments. They are used with the next phrase, “the work of a perfumer,” to describe the finished oil as a special mixture of aromatic spices and one requiring the knowledge and skills of an experienced maker.

[30:29]  ⁴ tn The verb is a Piel perfect with vav (ו) consecutive; in this verse it is summarizing or explaining what the anointing has accomplished. This is the effect of the anointing (see Exod 29:36).

[30:29]  ⁵ tn This is the superlative genitive again, Heb “holy of holies.”

[30:29]  ⁶ tn See Exod 29:37; as before, this could refer to anything or anyone touching the sanctified items.

[30:30]  ⁷ tn The perfect tense with vav (ו) consecutive follows the imperfect of instruction; it may be equal to the instruction, but more likely shows the purpose or result of the act.