(35) A confection after the art of the apothecary.--See Note on Exodus 30:25. Bezaleel's art was called in, both for the composition of the holy oil and of the holy incense (Exodus 37:29).

Tempered together.--So the LXX., the Vulg., and the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan. But most moderns render "salted," or "mixed with salt." (See Buxtorf, Gesenius, Lee, Rosenmller, De Wette, Kalisch, Keil, &c.). The word used is capable of either meaning.

Verse 35. - A confection after the art of the apothecary. Like the holy oil, the incense was to be artistically compounded by one accustomed to deal with such ingredients. It was actually, in the first instance, the work of Bezaleel (Exodus 27:29). Tempered together. This translation is supported by the authority of the Septuagint and the Vulgate, and is defended by Canon Cook. But the mass of modern critics is in favour of the translation "salted," or "with salt." (So Buxtorf, Gesenius, De Wette, Kalisch, Keil, etc.) If, nobel suggests "comminuted," identifying malakh with marakh. The point is not one of much importance.

30:22-38 Directions are here given for making the holy anointing oil, and the incense to be used in the service of the tabernacle. To show the excellency of holiness, there was this spiced oil in the tabernacle, which was grateful to the sight and to the smell. Christ's name is as ointment poured forth, So 1:3, and the good name of Christians is like precious ointment, Ec 7:1. The incense burned upon the golden altar was prepared of sweet spices. When it was used, it was to be beaten very small; thus it pleased the Lord to bruise the Redeemer, when he offered himself for a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savour. The like should not be made for any common use. Thus God would keep in the people's minds reverence for his own services, and teach us not to profane or abuse any thing whereby God makes himself known. It is a great affront to God to jest with sacred things, and to make sport with his word and ordinances. It is most dangerous and fatal to use professions of the gospel of Christ to forward wordly interests.And thou shalt make it a perfume,.... By mixing the above spices together:

a confection after the art of the apothecary; in the manner they beat, compound, and mix several ingredients together:

tempered together; or "salted" (l), with salt of Sodom, as Aben Ezra interprets it; and Maimonides (m) says, there was a fourth part of a kab of salt of Sodom put into it: and whether this incense or perfume respects the intercession of Christ or the prayers of his people, they are both savoury and acceptable to God, the latter on account of the former; in all sacrifices salt was used, and every spiritual sacrifice of ours should be seasoned with grace:

pure and holy; such should be the prayers of the saints, and such most certainly is the mediation of Christ, which is his much incense.

(l) "salitum", Montanus, Drusius. Junius & Tremellius, & Piscator. (m) Cele Hamikdash, c. 2. sect. 3.