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Book of Numbers - Chapter 7 - Verse 38

7:38
One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense:

Meaning

Within the context of the Bible, the verse 'One golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense' comes from the book of Exodus, which details the instructions given to Moses by God regarding the construction of the tabernacle. Specifically, this verse refers to one of the items to be placed on the golden altar of incense inside the tabernacle. The golden spoon filled with incense was to be used by the priests for offering fragrant smoke during the daily rituals. In biblical times, incense was regarded as a symbol of prayers ascending to God, representing the sweet aroma of the people's worship and reverence. The specific measurement of ten shekels indicates the importance and value placed on this offering, as well as the precision and detail required in carrying out the worship rituals as instructed by God. Therefore, this verse serves as a reminder of the significance of honoring God with our offerings and prayers, as well as following His instructions faithfully.

Theological Overview

When looking at the theological interpretation of Exodus 30:34, we can see that the use of incense in the tabernacle was significant in the worship of God. Incense often represents the prayers of the saints rising up to God, as we see in the book of Revelation. In this verse, the golden spoon of incense is a symbol of the people's prayers being offered up to God. The ten shekels used to measure the incense could symbolize completeness or perfection, as the number ten often does in the Bible. The use of gold also signifies the preciousness and purity of the prayers being offered to God.
Additionally, a word study of the Hebrew word for incense, "qetoret," reveals its root meaning is "to smoke" or "to fume." This highlights the idea of the prayers ascending like smoke to God, a sweet-smelling aroma in His presence. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of prayer in the worship of God and the significance of our prayers reaching His ears.

American Standard Version

one golden spoon of ten [shekels], full of incense;
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