Exodus 39:38
New International Version
the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;

New Living Translation
the gold altar; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the sacred tent;

English Standard Version
the golden altar, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the entrance of the tent;

Berean Standard Bible
the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;

King James Bible
And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,

New King James Version
the gold altar, the anointing oil, and the sweet incense; the screen for the tabernacle door;

New American Standard Bible
and the gold altar, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the doorway of the tent;

NASB 1995
and the gold altar, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the veil for the doorway of the tent;

NASB 1977
and the gold altar, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the veil for the doorway of the tent;

Legacy Standard Bible
and the gold altar, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the veil for the doorway of the tent;

Amplified Bible
the golden altar [of incense], the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the [hanging] veil for the doorway of the tent;

Christian Standard Bible
the gold altar; the anointing oil; the fragrant incense; the screen for the entrance to the tent;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the gold altar; the anointing oil; the fragrant incense; the screen for the entrance to the tent;

American Standard Version
and the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the screen for the door of the Tent;

Contemporary English Version
the gold-covered incense altar; the ordination oil and the sweet-smelling incense; the curtain for the entrance to the tent;

English Revised Version
and the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the screen for the door of the Tent;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
the gold altar, the anointing oil, the sweet-smelling incense, the screen for the entrance to the tent,

Good News Translation
the gold altar; the anointing oil; the sweet-smelling incense; the curtain for the entrance of the Tent;

International Standard Version
the altar of gold, anointing oil, aromatic incense, the screen for the doorway to the tent,

Majority Standard Bible
the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;

NET Bible
and the gold altar, and the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense; and the curtain for the entrance to the tent;

New Heart English Bible
the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle-door,

World English Bible
the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the spice-incense, and the covering of the opening of the tent;

Young's Literal Translation
And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the spice-perfume, and the covering of the opening of the tent;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the altar of gold and the oil of anointing, and the incense of aromatics, and the covering for the door of the tent;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the hanging in the entry of the tabernacle:

Catholic Public Domain Version
and the tent at the entrance of the tabernacle,

New American Bible
the golden altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the tent,

New Revised Standard Version
the golden altar, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the entrance of the tent;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the altar of gold and oil of anointing, and incense of sweet spices, and the covering of the door of the Tabernacle,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the screen for the door of the Tent;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they made the anointing oil, and the incense of composition, and the pure candlestick,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Approves the Work
37the pure gold lampstand with its row of lamps and all its utensils, as well as the oil for the light; 38 the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent; 39the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles, and all its utensils; the basin with its stand;…

Cross References
Exodus 25:31-40
Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. / Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. / There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand. ...

Exodus 37:17-24
Then he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold, all of one piece: its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. / Six branches extended from the sides, three on one side and three on the other. / There were three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extended from the lampstand. ...

Numbers 8:1-4
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to Aaron and tell him: ‘When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.’” / And Aaron did so; he set up the lamps facing toward the front of the lampstand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. ...

1 Kings 7:49
the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right side and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs;

2 Chronicles 4:7
He made ten gold lampstands according to their specifications and placed them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north.

Zechariah 4:2
“What do you see?” he asked. “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps.

Revelation 1:12-13
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, / and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest.

Revelation 1:20
This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 2:1
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.

Revelation 11:4
These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

Hebrews 9:2
A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 9:5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.


Treasury of Scripture

And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door,

sweet incense.

Jump to Previous
Altar Anointing Burning Covering Curtain Door Doorway Drugs Entrance Fragrant Gold Golden Hanging Holy Incense Oil Opening Perfume Screen Spice-Perfume Sweet Tabernacle Tabernacle-Door Tent Veil
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Altar Anointing Burning Covering Curtain Door Doorway Drugs Entrance Fragrant Gold Golden Hanging Holy Incense Oil Opening Perfume Screen Spice-Perfume Sweet Tabernacle Tabernacle-Door Tent Veil
Exodus 39
1. The cloths of service and holy garments.
2. The ephod
8. The breast-plate
22. The robe of the ephod
27. The coats, mitre, and girdle of fine linen
30. The plate of the holy crown
32. All is finished, reviewed, and approved by Moses














the gold altar
This phrase refers to the altar of incense, which was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, as described in Exodus 30:1-3. The Hebrew word for "altar" is "mizbeach," which signifies a place of sacrifice or offering. The use of gold symbolizes purity, divinity, and the preciousness of the worship offered to God. Historically, the gold altar was placed in the Holy Place, just before the veil that separated it from the Holy of Holies, signifying the prayers of the people ascending to God. Theologically, it represents the intercessory work of Christ, who continually offers prayers on behalf of believers.

the anointing oil
This sacred oil was used to consecrate the priests and the tabernacle, setting them apart for holy service. The Hebrew term "shemen hamishchah" indicates a special blend of spices and olive oil, as detailed in Exodus 30:22-25. Anointing with oil in the ancient Near East symbolized empowerment by the Spirit of God, marking individuals or objects as holy and dedicated to divine purposes. In a broader scriptural context, anointing oil prefigures the Holy Spirit, who anoints believers for service and sanctification.

the fragrant incense
The incense, made from a specific recipe given by God (Exodus 30:34-38), was burned on the gold altar. The Hebrew word "ketoret" refers to this aromatic blend, which produced a pleasing aroma when burned. Incense in the Bible often symbolizes prayer and worship, as seen in Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 8:3-4. The fragrance represents the pleasing nature of sincere worship and prayer to God, emphasizing the importance of approaching Him with reverence and purity.

the curtain for the entrance to the tent
This curtain, or "masak" in Hebrew, served as the entrance to the tabernacle, separating the outer court from the Holy Place. It was made of fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, as described in Exodus 26:36-37. The curtain's colors and craftsmanship reflect the majesty and holiness of God, reminding the Israelites of the sacredness of approaching His presence. In a New Testament context, the curtain symbolizes the barrier between God and humanity, which was ultimately torn down through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, granting believers direct access to God (Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 10:19-20).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the gold
הַזָּהָ֔ב (haz·zā·hāḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

altar,
מִזְבַּ֣ח (miz·baḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196: An altar

the anointing
הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה (ham·miš·ḥāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4888: Unction, a consecratory gift

oil,
שֶׁ֣מֶן (še·men)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness

the fragrant
הַסַּמִּ֑ים (has·sam·mîm)
Article | 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

and the curtain
מָסַ֖ךְ (mā·saḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4539: A covering, screen

for the entrance
פֶּ֥תַח (pe·ṯaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

to the tent;
הָאֹֽהֶל׃ (hā·’ō·hel)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 168: A tent


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OT Law: Exodus 39:38 The golden altar the anointing oil (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 39:37
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