Exodus 30:17-21

17 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

18 "You shall also make ¹a laver of bronze, with its base of bronze, for washing; and you shall ²put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.

19 "Aaron and his sons shall ³wash their hands and their feet from it;

20 when they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, so that they will not die; or when they approach the altar to minister, by offering up in smoke a fire sacrifice to the LORD.

21 "So they shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they will not die; and ⁴it shall be a perpetual statute for them, for Aaron and his descendants throughout their generations."

Exodus 30:17-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 30

This chapter treats of the altar of incense, its form and use, Ex 30:1-10 of the ransom of the Israelites, with the half shekel when numbered, Ex 30:11-16 of the laver for the priests to wash their hands and feet at before service, Ex 30:17-21 of the anointing oil, the ingredients of it, and what was to be done with it, Ex 30:22-33, and of the perfume, the composition and use of it, Ex 30:34-38.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 38:8
• 2. Exodus 40:30
• 3. Exodus 40:31; Isaiah 52:11
• 4. Exodus 28:43

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "copper"
• [b]. Lit "him"
• [c]. Lit "seed"