King James Version

What Does Exodus 30:10 Mean?

Exodus 30:10 in the King James Version says “And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.”

Exodus 30:10 · KJV

Context

8

And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. lighteth: or setteth up: Heb. causeth to ascend at even: Heb. between the two evenings

9

Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.

10

And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

11

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

12

When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. their number: Heb. them that are to be numbered

Read Exodus 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The golden altar of incense stands before the veil, closest to God's presence. Daily incense offerings represent prayer ascending to God (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4). The altar's position—after the bronze altar (sacrifice) but before the Most Holy Place (God's throne)—teaches that prayer is based on atonement and leads to intimacy. Christ, our intercessor, causes our prayers to ascend acceptably, adding His perfect intercession to our imperfect petitions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The high priest burned incense on this altar twice daily (morning and evening) when tending the lampstand. The fragrant smoke ascending into the Holy Place symbolized prayers rising to God's throne.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's intercession make your prayers acceptable to God?
  2. Why must sacrifice (bronze altar) precede prayer (golden altar)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
יְכַפֵּ֤ר1 of 18

“shall he make atonement”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

אַֽהֲרֹן֙2 of 18

“And Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

עַל3 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

קַרְנֹתָ֔יו4 of 18

“upon the horns”

H7161

a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun

אַחַ֤ת5 of 18

“of it once”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בַּשָּׁנָה֙6 of 18

“in a year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מִדַּ֞ם7 of 18

“with the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

חַטַּ֣את8 of 18

“of the sin offering”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

הַכִּפֻּרִ֗ים9 of 18

“of atonements”

H3725

expiation (only in plural)

אַחַ֤ת10 of 18

“of it once”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בַּשָּׁנָה֙11 of 18

“in a year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

יְכַפֵּ֤ר12 of 18

“shall he make atonement”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

עָלָיו֙13 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם14 of 18

“upon it throughout your generations”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

קָֽדָשִׁ֥ים15 of 18

“holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

קָֽדָשִׁ֥ים16 of 18

“holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

ה֖וּא17 of 18
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לַֽיהוָֽה׃18 of 18

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 30:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 30:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 16:18Hebrews 9:22-23Leviticus 16:29-30Hebrews 9:25Leviticus 23:27Exodus 29:36-37

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