Study notes

Exodus 30

Introducing ExodusWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

19:1–31:18 Section

God made a covenant with the Israelites on Mount Sinai. It was called the Mount Sinai covenant.

In it, he showed himself to be their Lord and King. The Israelites were the people he ruled over. They were to serve him in the ways he explained in the covenant.

God explained these ways clearly in the Ten Commandments. He also explained many other rules they were to obey. These rules taught the Israelites how to live together after being freed from slavery. The rules also taught them how to worship only God.

The rules included instructions about priests, the holy tent and sacrifices. All together these rules were called the Law of Moses.

God spoke with Moses from the thick cloud that covered Mount Sinai. The people heard God speak. They were very afraid of God. So Moses was the go-between between God and the people.

The Israelites agreed to be faithful to God’s covenant. If they served God faithfully, God promised to do many things for them. He would make them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. In this way they would show all other people groups the truth about who God is.

The Israelites sacrificed animals to God. Moses sprinkled the people with the blood of animals. Then the leaders of the people ate a meal before God. God gave Moses a written copy of the covenant on stone tablets. All of these actions were part of putting the covenant into effect.

30:1–10

The plans for the altar made of acacia wood are described here instead of with the other items of the holy place (25:23–40). This might be because of the reference to the priest's use of it in 30:7–10.

30:6

  • in front of the veil: This refers to the Holy Place, just outside the Most Holy Place where the ark was.

  • The rising smoke of the incense symbolized prayer. Believers now have constant access to God in prayer through the continuous atonement provided by Christ (see Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10; Revelation 5:8; 8:3–4).

30:12

no plague: Compare 2 Samuel 24, where a plague followed King David’s unauthorized census. A king would often take a census for reasons of pride or control. Here the people are giving God a ransom for themselves. This standard payment would go into the tabernacle treasury and initially be used in the construction of the tabernacle (see Exodus 38:25–26).

30:22–38

Because God is absolutely unique (holy), what is used for his service cannot be used for any other purpose. This was the point made to Moses at the burning bush (see study note on 3:5). It was so important for the people to understand this that disobedience in this matter involved a severe punishment (30:33).

30:33

cut off from his people: Either by death or by expulsion. In some cases, God brought death as a direct judgment. In other cases, the person was removed from the community.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources