And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:

EXODUS 30:24KJV
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Exodus 30:24 (KJV)

What does Exodus 30:24 mean?

Exodus 30:24 lists specific ingredients and amounts for making a holy anointing oil, including five hundred shekels of cassia, measured by the sanctuary shekel, and a hin of olive oil. This verse is part of detailed instructions given for preparing a sacred mixture used in the tabernacle.

God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, giving him exact directions for creating the anointing oil that will set apart the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests as holy. The verse emphasizes the importance of precise measurements and special ingredients, showing the seriousness and care required in worship practices.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 30:24

  • קְצִיעָה (qetsi'ah, "cassia"): This is a fragrant bark similar to cinnamon, used here as a key ingredient. Its inclusion highlights the richness and distinctiveness of the anointing oil's scent.
  • שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, "shekel"): The shekel is a standard unit of weight, and the phrase "after the shekel of the sanctuary" means these measurements are based on the official standard used for holy things, not ordinary trade.
  • שֶׁמֶן (shemen, "oil") and זַיִת (zayit, "olive"): The oil specified is olive oil, which was commonly used for anointing and lighting, symbolizing purity and blessing.
  • הִין (hin, "hin"): A hin is an ancient liquid measure, roughly equivalent to about 4–6 liters (1–1.5 gallons), showing the substantial quantity required for this sacred mixture.

Why Exodus 30:24 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the anointing oil was not a casual or improvised mixture but a carefully measured and unique blend, underscoring the seriousness of approaching God’s presence.
  • By specifying the "shekel of the sanctuary," the verse shows that holy things had their own standards, separate from everyday life, emphasizing the distinction between sacred and common.
  • This instruction connects to the wider passage by showing how every detail of worship in the tabernacle was guided by God, not human preference, setting a pattern for reverence and obedience.

Where else these words appear

“cassia” Hebrew H6916 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 27:19 Dan also and Javan going to and fro occupied in thy fairs: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were in thy market.

“hin” Hebrew H1969 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 29:40 And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.
  • Numbers 15:7 And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third part of an hin of wine, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 4:11 Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shalt thou drink.

“olive” Hebrew H2132 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 8:11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
  • Judges 15:5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
  • Isaiah 17:6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

“shekel” Hebrew H8255 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 23:15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
  • Numbers 3:47 Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them:(the shekel is twenty gerahs:)
  • Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.