Holy Anointing Oil

(Exodus 30:22-33)

• Bezaleel's craftsmanship was called in, both for the composition of the holy oil and of the holy incense (Exodus 37:29).

• To show the excellency of holiness, there was this spiced oil in the tabernacle, which was grateful to the sight and to the smell.

• Ingredients: The holy anointing oil described in Exodus 30:22-25 was created from:

Pure myrrh (מר דרור mar deror) 500 shekels (about 6 kg) Sweet cinnamon (קינמון בשם kinnemon besem) 250 shekels (about 3 kg) Kaneh bosem (קְנֵה-בֹשֶׂם kaneh bosm) 250 shekels (about 3 kg) Cassia (קדה kiddah) 500 shekels (about 6 kg) Olive oil (שמן זית shemen zayit) one hin (about 5 quarts according to Adam Clarke; about 4 liters according to Shiurei Torah, 7 liters according to the Chazon Ish)

• Upon Man's flesh not poured

• Matthew 7:6 Give not holy to dogs

• Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured--i.e., it shall not be in ordinary use as an unguent--a mere "man," who is not a priest, shall not apply it to his private use. It shall be reserved altogether for holy purposes.

• Neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it--i.e., after the recipe given -- no secular employment

What about Aaron?

• Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured,.... That is, not upon common men, or on men's flesh in common, as was usual at feasts and entertainments in the eastern countries, see Psalm 23:5 but this was not to be used on such occasions, otherwise it was poured on the flesh of some men, as Aaron and his sons, on whose head it was poured and ran down to the beard:

• James 5:13,14

• 1 John 2:27; John 14:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:9

• 2 Corinthians 1:21