Exodus 30:3 provides instructions regarding the construction of the altar of incense, a sacred object to be placed in the Tabernacle—the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The verse emphasizes the use of pure gold in overlaying the top, sides, and horns of the altar, as well as the addition of a crown of gold around it.
The altar of incense held significant symbolic and functional importance within the Tabernacle. It served as the place where priests burned incense—a fragrant offering—before the Lord. The aroma of the incense was believed to represent the prayers and intercessions of the people rising up to God.
The command to overlay the altar with pure gold symbolizes the sanctity and holiness of the object. Gold, with its enduring purity and rarity, was frequently used in the construction of sacred items as a symbol of God’s majesty and glory. The choice of pure gold for the overlay underscores the altar’s status as a consecrated vessel set apart for divine worship.
The specific mention of overlaying the top, sides, and horns of the altar with gold indicates the thoroughness and meticulousness with which the construction was to be carried out. Every part of the altar was to be covered with gold, leaving no area exposed.
Additionally, the instruction to fashion a crown of gold around the altar further enhances its ornate and majestic appearance. The crown, encircling the top edge of the altar, would have added to its visual grandeur, emphasizing its significance as a central feature of the Tabernacle’s sacred space.
Overall, Exodus 30:3 underscores the reverence and honor due to the altar of incense as a holy object dedicated to the worship of God. The use of pure gold in its construction highlights its exalted status and serves as a tangible expression of the Israelites’ devotion to their divine covenant.