9:4 golden altar of incense. Although this incense altar, was just outside the curtain (Ex. 40:26), its function was so closely associated with the inner chamber and the ark therein (Ex. 30:6) that it was considered to belong there (1 Kin. 6:22). When the high priest entered the Most Holy Place, he burned incense, producing smoke to hide the mercy seat on top of the ark of the Testimony, shielding himself from the Lord’s burning purity (Lev. 16:12, 13).

Aaron’s staff. The staff that budded to show that priestly privilege comes only by God’s appointment (Num. 17:10), as taught in 5:4, 5.