"Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense.
It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide,
and two cubits high -- its horns of one piece with it.
Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold,
and make a gold molding around it.
Make two gold rings for the altar below the molding --
two on opposite sides -- to hold the poles used to carry it.
Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
Put the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony
-- before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony --
where I will meet with you.
Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar
every morning when he tends the lamps.
He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight
so incense will burn regularly before the LORD for the generations to come.
Do not offer on this altar any other incense or any burnt offering or grain offering,
and do not pour a drink offering on it.
Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns.
This annual atonement must be made with the blood
of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come.
It is most holy to the LORD."
Exodus 30:1-10 (NIV)
Some observations from the NIV Study Bible notes:
- The fragrant incense's smoke symbolizes the prayers of God's people. (Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10, Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3-4)
- The Study Bible also noted that the furnishings of the Tabernacle which were nearest to God's dwelling were made of, or overlaid with, gold. Those which were further away were made of, or overlaid with, bronze. The bases which supported the frames of the tabernacle and the four posts holding the dividing curtain were made of silver.
- The gold rings below the molding were for holding the poles used to carry the altar of incense.
- God would meet with them before the atonement cover which was over the Testimony. Only the priest could go into the Holy of Holies, once a year to make the annual atonement for the sins of the nation. (Leviticus 16:34)
