Exodus - 30:31



31 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'This shall be a holy anointing oil to me throughout your generations.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Exodus 30:31.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
'And unto the sons of Israel thou dost speak, saying, A holy anointing oil is this to Me, to your generations;
And say to the children of Israel, This is to be the Lord's holy oil, from generation to generation.
Likewise, you shall say to the sons of Israel: 'This oil of unction will be holy to me throughout your generations.
Ad filios autem Israel loqueris, dicendo, Oleum unctionis sanctitatis erit hoc mihi per generationes vestras.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

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 (z) 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.
(z) Massachet Cerithot, fol. 5. 2. & Horayot, fol. 11. 2.

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