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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 30:9. It's a really important rule about how temples and sacrifices were to be handled in ancient Israel. Here’s the explanation in plain language: Basically, it means: “Don’t offer any incense or sacrifice that isn’t made specifically for God and His people.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “Ye shall offer no strange incense…” : This refers to incense – a fragrant offering used in temples. It wasn't meant to be customized or different from the regular incense. “…nor burnt sacrifice…” : This means no burning rituals, like sacrifices offered as a special act of worship. “…nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.” : This is the most important part. It prohibits offering any food or drink – including wine, beer, and even water – that wasn’t specifically dedicated to God. Why was this rule in place? The Bible tells us that the Israelites were a people who had a relationship with God through a covenant (a promise). Offering strange things – things not intended for worship - was seen as disrespectful to God and could be a sign of impurity. It was about keeping the sacredness of the temple and maintaining a pure, devoted relationship with God. In short, it’s a reminder that everything offered to God should be dedicated to Him and reflect His holiness. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this rule existed? Give you an example of what kind of offerings were allowed ? Discuss the significance of this verse in a broader context of ancient Israel’s religious practices?