Exodus 30:7
New International Version
“Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps.

New Living Translation
“Every morning when Aaron maintains the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar.

English Standard Version
And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall burn it,

Berean Standard Bible
And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps.

King James Bible
And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

New King James Version
“Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it.

New American Standard Bible
Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps.

NASB 1995
“Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps.

NASB 1977
“And Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps.

Legacy Standard Bible
Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps.

Amplified Bible
Aaron shall burn sweet and fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims and tends the lamps.

Christian Standard Bible
Aaron must burn fragrant incense on it; he must burn it every morning when he tends the lamps.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Aaron must burn fragrant incense on it; he must burn it every morning when he tends the lamps.

American Standard Version
And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of sweet spices: every morning, when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn it.

English Revised Version
And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of sweet spices: every morning, when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Aaron must burn sweet-smelling incense on this altar every morning when he takes care of the lamps.

Good News Translation
Every morning when Aaron comes to take care of the lamps, he is to burn sweet-smelling incense on it.

International Standard Version
Aaron is to offer fragrant incense on it. Every morning when he trims the lamps he is to offer it,

Majority Standard Bible
And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps.

NET Bible
Aaron is to burn sweet incense on it morning by morning; when he attends to the lamps he is to burn incense.

New Heart English Bible
Aaron shall burn incense of sweet spices on it every morning. When he tends the lamps, he shall burn it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Aaron shall burn upon it sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

World English Bible
Aaron shall burn incense of sweet spices on it every morning. When he tends the lamps, he shall burn it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Aaron has made incense on it, incense of spices, morning by morning; in his making the lamps right, he makes incense [on] it,

Young's Literal Translation
'And Aaron hath made perfume on it, perfume of spices, morning by morning; in his making the lamps right he doth perfume it,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Aaron to burn upon it incense of spices in the morning: in the morning in his adorning the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Aaron shall burn sweet smelling incense upon it in the morning. When he shall dress the lamps, he shall burn it:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Aaron shall burn incense upon it, a sweet fragrance, in the morning. When he lights the lamps, he shall burn it.

New American Bible
On it Aaron shall burn fragrant incense. Morning after morning, when he prepares the lamps,

New Revised Standard Version
Aaron shall offer fragrant incense on it; every morning when he dresses the lamps he shall offer it,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Aaron shall burn upon it sweet incense every morning; when he prepares the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Ahron will be burning incense of sweet spices upon it from dawn to evening; whenever he prepares the lamp he will burn it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of sweet spices; every morning, when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Aaron shall burn upon it fine compound incense every morning; whensoever he trims the lamps he shall burn incense upon it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Altar of Incense
6Place the altar in front of the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony—before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony—where I will meet with you. 7And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. 8When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come.…

Cross References
Leviticus 16:12-13
Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil. / He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die.

Revelation 8:3-4
Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. / And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel.

Numbers 16:46-47
Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.” / So Aaron took the censer as Moses had ordered and ran into the midst of the assembly. And seeing that the plague had begun among the people, he offered the incense and made atonement for the people.

1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

Hebrews 9:6
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties.

Luke 1:9-11
he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. / And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside. / Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

2 Chronicles 26:16-19
But when Uzziah became powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. / Then Azariah the priest, along with eighty brave priests of the LORD, went in after him. / They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.” ...

Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before You like incense; my uplifted hands, like the evening offering.

1 Kings 9:25
Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple.

2 Corinthians 2:15-16
For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. / To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Hebrews 7:27
Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.

1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

Leviticus 4:7
The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.


Treasury of Scripture

And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresses the lamps, he shall burn incense on it.

sweet incense.

Exodus 30:34-38
And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: …

dresseth

Exodus 27:20,21
And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always…

1 Samuel 2:28
And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

1 Samuel 3:3
And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

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Aaron Altar Burn Burned Dresses Fragrant Incense Lamps Making Morning Right Spices Sweet Tends Thereon Trims
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Aaron Altar Burn Burned Dresses Fragrant Incense Lamps Making Morning Right Spices Sweet Tends Thereon Trims
Exodus 30
1. The altar of incense
11. The ransom of souls
17. The bronze basin
22. The holy anointing oil
34. The composition of the incense














And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it
This phrase refers to the high priest Aaron, who was given the responsibility of burning incense on the altar of incense in the Tabernacle. The burning of incense was a significant ritual in the worship practices of ancient Israel, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God. The incense was made from a specific blend of spices as commanded by God, emphasizing the importance of worship being conducted according to divine instructions. The altar of incense was located in the Holy Place, just before the veil that separated it from the Most Holy Place, indicating the closeness of prayer to the presence of God. This act of burning incense can be seen as a type of Christ, who intercedes for believers, as described in Hebrews 7:25.

every morning
The daily ritual of burning incense every morning highlights the regularity and consistency required in worship and devotion to God. This practice underscores the importance of starting each day with a focus on God, setting a pattern for continual prayer and reliance on Him. The morning offering of incense can be paralleled with the New Testament call for believers to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), emphasizing a life of constant communion with God.

when he tends the lamps
The tending of the lamps refers to the maintenance of the golden lampstand, or menorah, which was also located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. The lamps were to be kept burning continually, symbolizing the perpetual presence and guidance of God among His people. The connection between tending the lamps and burning incense suggests a link between the light of God's presence and the prayers of His people. In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the light of the world (John 8:12), and believers are called to be lights in the world (Matthew 5:14-16), indicating that the practices in the Tabernacle foreshadowed the spiritual realities fulfilled in Christ and His followers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He was responsible for performing sacred duties in the Tabernacle, including burning incense.

2. Fragrant Incense
A special blend of spices used in the Tabernacle for worship. It symbolizes the prayers of the people rising to God.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary where the Israelites worshiped God during their journey through the wilderness. It was the center of Israelite worship and the dwelling place of God's presence.

4. The Lamps
Refers to the golden lampstand (Menorah) in the Tabernacle, which Aaron was to tend every morning and evening, ensuring it remained lit.

5. Morning Ritual
The daily practice of burning incense and tending the lamps, signifying the continual worship and presence of God among His people.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priesthood
Aaron's duty to burn incense underscores the priestly role as an intercessor between God and His people. In Christ, believers are called to a royal priesthood, interceding for others through prayer.

The Symbolism of Incense
Incense represents the prayers of the faithful. Just as Aaron tended to the incense daily, believers are encouraged to maintain a consistent prayer life, offering their prayers as a pleasing aroma to God.

The Importance of Daily Worship
The morning ritual of burning incense and tending the lamps signifies the importance of daily devotion and worship. Believers are called to start each day with a focus on God, ensuring their spiritual "lamps" are lit.

God's Presence in Worship
The Tabernacle was a physical representation of God's presence. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and God's presence is with them continually, calling for a life of worship and holiness.(7) Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense (Heb., incense of spices) every morning.--On the composition of the incense, see Exodus 30:34-35. That the offering of incense regularly accompanied both the morning and evening sacrifice appears from Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10. That it was symbolical of prayer may be gathered both from those passages and also from Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3-4.

When he dresseth the lamps.--Comp. Exodus 27:21. . . .

Verse 7. - Sweet incense. Literally, "incense of perfumes." For the composition of the incense, see vers. 34-38. When he dresseth the lamps. The lamps of the golden candlestick were to be trimmed and cleaned, their wicks looked to, and fresh oil added, if necessary, every morning, immediately after daybreak. See the comment on Exodus 27:21. The duty devolved on the priests.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Aaron
אַהֲרֹ֖ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

is to burn
וְהִקְטִ֥יר (wə·hiq·ṭîr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

fragrant
סַמִּ֑ים (sam·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5561: Spice (used in incense)

incense
קְטֹ֣רֶת (qə·ṭō·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7004: Smoke, odor of (burning) sacrifice, incense

on it
עָלָ֛יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

every morning
בַּבֹּ֣קֶר (bab·bō·qer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

when he tends
בְּהֵיטִיב֛וֹ (bə·hê·ṭî·ḇōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing

the lamps.
הַנֵּרֹ֖ת (han·nê·rōṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5216: A lamp, light


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OT Law: Exodus 30:7 Aaron shall burn incense of sweet spices (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 30:6
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