Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.

EXODUS 30:38KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 30:38 (KJV)

What does Exodus 30:38 mean?

Exodus 30:38 warns that anyone who tries to make incense like the special blend used in the tabernacle, just to enjoy its smell, must be separated from the community. This command sets apart the incense as something holy, reserved only for worship and not for personal use.

God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions about the incense used in worship at the tabernacle. The verse comes at the end of a section where God describes how to make the incense and stresses that it is not for ordinary enjoyment. The warning shows how seriously God wants the people to treat what is set apart for Him.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 30:38

  • "Whosoever" (אֲשֶׁר, asher + אִישׁ, ish): This combination means "any person" or "whoever," making it clear that the rule applies to anyone, not just priests or leaders.
  • "Make" (עָשָׂה, asah): This verb means "to make" or "to do," emphasizing that even the act of creating incense like the sacred blend is forbidden for personal use.
  • "Smell" (רֵיחַ, reyach): This word means "to smell" or "to enjoy the scent." The focus is not just on making the incense, but on using it for personal pleasure, which is what is prohibited.
  • "Cut off" (כָּרַת, karat): This phrase means to be separated or excluded from the people, a serious consequence showing how important it was to keep worship practices distinct.
  • "People" (עָם, am): This word means the community or nation, showing that the punishment is exclusion from the whole group, not just from worship.

Why Exodus 30:38 matters

  • Exodus 30:38 clarifies that the incense was not just a nice smell but a symbol of holiness, meant only for worship, not for personal enjoyment.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of treating what is holy as ordinary, showing that God wanted clear boundaries between sacred and everyday things.
  • This command connects to the broader theme in Exodus of setting apart certain practices and objects for God alone, helping the community understand the importance of reverence in worship.

Where else these words appear

“smell” Hebrew H7306 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Deuteronomy 4:28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
  • Job 39:25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

“Whosoever” Hebrew H834 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • Deuteronomy 12:2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: