Exodus 30:25

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.

Exodus 30:32-33

30:32 It must not be applied ⁴  to people’s bodies, and you must not make any like it with the same recipe. It is holy, and it must be holy to you. 30:33 Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts any of it on someone not a priest ⁵  will be cut off ⁶  from his people.’”

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¹ tn Heb “it.”

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

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.

⁴ tn Without an expressed subject, the verb may be treated as a passive. Any common use, as in personal hygiene, would be a complete desecration.

⁵ tn Heb “a stranger,” meaning someone not ordained a priest.

⁶ sn The rabbinic interpretation of this is that it is a penalty imposed by heaven, that the life will be cut short and the person could die childless.