Exodus 30:17 kjv

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exodus 30:17 nkjv

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

Exodus 30:17 niv

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Exodus 30:17 esv

The LORD said to Moses,

Exodus 30:17 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses,

Exodus 30 verses

Exodus 30 17 Meaning

Exodus 30:17 serves as an introductory divine declaration. It signifies that the instructions regarding the bronze laver, which follow in verses 18-21, are directly communicated by God (the Lord) to Moses. This formulaic phrase emphasizes the divine origin and ultimate authority of the subsequent commandments for Israel's worship and tabernacle construction, underscoring that these mandates are not of human devising but come directly from the Most High.

Exodus 30 17 Context

Exodus 30:17 is embedded within the broader context of God's meticulous instructions for the construction and use of the Tabernacle and its sacred implements, along with the detailed regulations for the priesthood and Israel's worship. The chapter initiates with directions for the altar of incense (vv. 1-10), followed by the mandate for the atonement money, or census tax, as a ransom for individual souls (vv. 11-16). Immediately following this, verse 17 introduces the commands for the bronze basin (the Laver), used by priests for ritual washing before ministering. The chapter then continues with instructions for the holy anointing oil and sacred incense.

Historically, this period places Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai, freshly delivered from Egyptian bondage and now entering into a unique covenant relationship with YHWH. The giving of these specific Tabernacle instructions demonstrates God's initiative in providing the means by which a holy God could dwell among a sinful people. This emphasis on divine direction contrasts sharply with the polytheistic and idolatrous practices of surrounding cultures, where human-devised rituals and shrines were common, reflecting a foundational polemic: Israel's worship is uniquely commanded and ordained by the One True God, not conceived by man.

Exodus 30 17 Word analysis

• And (וַיְדַבֵּר - vaydabber): The Hebrew waw-consecutive connecting to previous divine decrees. This establishes a continuous flow of instruction, showing that God's plan for the Tabernacle and its services is unfolding in an ordered, deliberate manner. It links this specific command to the broader, ongoing revelation at Sinai.
• the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The sacred, personal, covenant name of God (often rendered "Yahweh"). This is not a generic deity (elohim) but the specific, covenant-keeping God of Israel who brought them out of Egypt. Use of YHWH emphasizes His faithfulness, omnipotence, and His active presence in the details of their worship life. It underscores that the command comes from the highest, supreme authority.
• spake (דָּבַר - dabar): To speak, command, declare, or utter. This verb denotes a decisive, authoritative communication, not a mere suggestion or informal chat. It implies divine decree and law-giving. God's speech is potent and effective, carrying immediate force and requiring absolute obedience.
• unto Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה - el-Mosheh): "To Moses." This specifies the unique human mediator God chose to deliver His divine message to the people of Israel. Moses’ singular role as the direct recipient of God's commands authenticates the authority of all the laws he delivered. This directly communicated revelation establishes Moses' authority among the people and validates the divine source of the subsequent Tabernacle instructions.
• saying (לֵּאמֹר - lemor): A common Hebrew infinitive construct used to introduce direct discourse or speech. It functions to announce that the exact words of the speaker (in this case, God) are about to be quoted. This phrase confirms the verbatim nature of the revelation that follows, reinforcing that what Moses reports is precisely what God has said.

• "And the Lord spake": This phrase highlights the divine initiative. God is the source of all the laws, rituals, and designs for the Tabernacle. This means that the blueprint for holiness, worship, and atonement originates purely with God, not from human wisdom, traditions, or cultural appropriations. It is a divine mandate, reflecting His nature and will.
• "unto Moses, saying": This segment pinpoints the authoritative channel through which divine revelation flowed to Israel. Moses acted as the primary conduit for God’s instructions. This dual emphasis – divine origin and authoritative human mediation – establishes the binding nature of the commands and their sacredness within the covenant community. It reinforces that all Israelite worship and practice must conform to this divinely revealed pattern, mediated by Moses.

Exodus 30 17 Bonus section

This precise formula, "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying," or slight variations of it, appears hundreds of times throughout the Pentateuch, particularly in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Its frequent repetition is not mere literary convention but a deliberate theological strategy. It consistently reinforces the fundamental principle that the entire Mosaic Law, encompassing moral commands, civil statutes, and ritual regulations, derives directly from divine authority. This recurring divine utterance grounds the covenant relationship in revelation, establishing the Tabernacle and its services, including the Laver, as direct reflections of God's will and pattern for holiness, rather than human contrivance or cultural assimilation. It served to constantly remind Israel that their distinctive identity and their method of approaching God were unique, specifically given by their God, YHWH, distinguishing them starkly from all surrounding nations.

Exodus 30 17 Commentary

Exodus 30:17 is more than a simple narrative connector; it is a profound theological statement. It serves as a potent reminder that the very structure of Israel’s sacred life—its rituals, its physical worship space, and its paths to divine encounter—was meticulously ordained by God Himself. This phrase emphasizes God’s sovereignty over worship and the precision of His divine communication. It signals that what follows, the instructions for the Laver, is not an arbitrary rule or a humanly convenient addition, but an essential component of His covenant design, directly revealed. It assures the reader of the divine authority and sacred nature of the Tabernacle and priestly regulations. Practically, it teaches that true worship is founded upon God's specific revelation, not human innovation, echoing the importance of listening to and obeying God's precise words in all matters of faith and life. For instance, believers are called to walk in accordance with God's Word (Ps 119:105), and not their own wisdom (Prov 3:5-6).