Exodus 30:1–10

The Incense Altar

30“You are to make an altar for the burning of incense; make it of acacia wood. ^g2It must be square, 18 inches long and 18 inches wide; ^hit must be 36 inches high. ⁱIts horns must be of one piece. ^j3Overlay its top, all around its sides, and its horns with pure gold; make a gold molding all around it. ⁴Make two gold rings for it under the molding on two of its sides; put these on opposite sides of it to be holders for the poles to carry it with. ⁵Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.

⁶“You are to place the altar in front of the veil by the ark of the testimony—in front of the mercy seat that is over the testimony—where I will meet with you. ⁷Aaron must burn fragrant incense on it; he must burn it every morning when he tends the lamps. ^k8When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn incense. There is to be an incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations. ⁹You must not offer unauthorized incense on it, ^lor a burnt or grain offering; you are not to pour a drink offering on it.

¹⁰“Once a year Aaron is to perform the purification rite ^mon the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he is to perform the purification rite ⁿfor ^oit once a year, with the blood of the sin offering for atonement. ^pThe altar is especially holy to the Lord.”