Exodus 30:31

31 Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come.

Exodus 30:31 in Other Translations

31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.

31 And you shall say to the people of Israel, 'This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations.

31 And say to the people of Israel, ‘This holy anointing oil is reserved for me from generation to generation.

31 Tell the Israelites, 'This will be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations.'

31 "Tell the Israelites: This will be My holy anointing oil throughout your generations.

Exodus 30:31 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 30:31

And thou shall speak unto the children of Israel
When he was come down from the mount, and gave the instructions about the making and using of this oil:

saying, this shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your
generations;
Abarbinel, and other Jewish writers, conclude from hence, that this same oil, which was made by Moses, lasted throughout the generations to the times of Josiah, when it was hid with other things; but this, notion is justly exploded by Aben Ezra; it is not probable, that so small a quantity that was now made, which is supposed by some to be no more than a gallon and a half of wine measure, should suffice so long: it does not seem to be more than what was sufficient for present use; for the anointing of so many persons, and things as were anointed, and much less to be sufficient for the anointing of priests and kings in after times, until that period. This cannot be supposed without a miraculous interposition, to which the Talmudists

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 fly, and observe, that there were many miracles in this affair; but there is no need to have recourse to them, since, for aught that is said, it might be made again in like manner for sacred uses, which is meant by the phrase "unto me"; though it might not be made for any other use, private or profane.

F26 Massachet Cerithot, fol. 5. 2. & Horayot, fol. 11. 2.

Exodus 30:31 In-Context

29 You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy.

30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.

31 Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come.

32 Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred.

33 Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from their people.’ ”

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 29:7
• 2. S Exodus 29:42