Exodus 30:18 kjv

Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

Exodus 30:18 nkjv

"You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it,

Exodus 30:18 niv

"Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it.

Exodus 30:18 esv

"You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it,

Exodus 30:18 nlt

"Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water.

Exodus 30 verses

Exodus 30 18 Meaning

Exodus 30:18 describes God's command to construct a bronze laver for the Tabernacle, along with its bronze stand. This vessel was to be positioned between the Altar of Burnt Offering and the entrance of the Tabernacle itself. Its sole purpose was to hold water for the priests to ceremonially wash their hands and feet before performing any sacred duty or entering God's immediate presence within the Tent of Meeting, symbolizing the absolute necessity of ritual purity before drawing near to the Holy One of Israel.

Exodus 30 18 Context

Exodus chapter 30 details the divine instructions for constructing additional crucial furnishings for the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people. Preceding the laver, instructions were given for the Altar of Incense (Exo 30:1-10) and the Half Shekel Atonement money (Exo 30:11-16). The description of the bronze laver (Exo 30:17-21) emphasizes purification. Following this, God commands the making of holy anointing oil (Exo 30:22-33) and sacred incense (Exo 30:34-38). Historically, this passage situates the laver within the comprehensive architectural blueprint given at Mount Sinai, preparing Israel for corporate worship and emphasizing that approaching God's holy presence necessitated prior atonement and strict ceremonial cleansing. The placement of the laver between the Brazen Altar and the entrance to the Holy Place underscored the sequential steps required: first sacrifice (Altar), then purification (Laver), then approach to God (Tabernacle).

Exodus 30 18 Word analysis

• Thou shalt also make: This phrase emphasizes a divine, imperative command. It's not a suggestion or option but a non-negotiable directive from God to Moses, indicating the critical importance of this item in the sacred worship structure.
• a laver: From the Hebrew word כִּיּוֹר (kiyyor), meaning "basin" or "washing vessel." It signifies a large container specifically designed for ablutions. Its presence underscores the ritual nature of priestly service, demanding a vessel exclusively for this purification.
• of brass: The Hebrew word is נְחֹשֶׁת (nechoshet), which means copper or bronze (often translated as "brass" in KJV). This material is consistently associated with judgment or strength in the Bible (e.g., the brazen altar, the brazen serpent in Num 21:9). Interestingly, the brass for the laver was sourced from the bronze mirrors of the ministering women (Exo 38:8). This origin adds symbolic depth, as mirrors reflect imperfections, pointing to the need for cleansing when one sees their own spiritual uncleanness.
• and his foot: The Hebrew is כֵּן (ken), referring to its stand or base. This indicates the laver was not merely a basin but a complete, stable unit elevated off the ground, ensuring its sanctity and proper use for washing. The base also being brass reinforces the material's significance for the entire structure.
• of brass: Repetition emphasizes the composition and its associated symbolism of judgment, durability, and a surface that reflects impurities.
• to wash withal: From the Hebrew לְרָחְצָה (l'rach'tzah), "for washing." This specifies the explicit purpose: cleansing. It clarifies that the laver's function was practical, yet deeply symbolic, pertaining to ceremonial cleanliness of hands and feet.
• and thou shalt put it between: This precise placement is critical and divinely ordained, highlighting a specific theological sequence in approaching God. The spatial arrangement of Tabernacle furniture conveys doctrinal truth.
• the tabernacle of the congregation: Hebrew אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד (ohel mo'ed), "tent of meeting" or "tent of assembly." This is the dwelling place of God's presence, specifically the Holy Place and Most Holy Place, where He met with His people and the high priest. It represents holiness and communion with God.
• and the altar: Refers to the Altar of Burnt Offering, located just outside the entrance of the Tabernacle in the outer court. This altar symbolized sacrifice and atonement for sin, the first step in approaching God.
• and thou shalt put water therein: Water is the essential element for cleansing. It symbolizes purification, renewal, and is often linked in scripture to the Holy Spirit and the cleansing power of God's Word (Eph 5:26, Titus 3:5). Its presence enabled the required washing.

• "a laver of brass, and his foot of brass": This entire assembly, made of brass, underscores a theme of enduring structure necessary for sacred function. The use of brass suggests that confronting human unworthiness (as reflected by brass mirrors) and requiring purification is a foundational and unchanging prerequisite for drawing near to a holy God.
• "to wash withal; and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar": This phrase precisely defines both the function and strategic placement. The act of washing bridges the gap between atonement (altar) and fellowship/service (Tabernacle). It signifies that one cannot move from sacrifice directly into God's presence without first undergoing a process of purification. This teaches a foundational truth: sanctification must follow justification.
• "and thou shalt put water therein": The inclusion of water highlights the active role of an cleansing agent. This water, ritually used, prepares the priests for their holy service, pointing forward to the spiritual washing needed for believers in Christ.

Exodus 30 18 Bonus section

The source of the bronze for the laver is notably stated in Exodus 38:8 to have come from the bronze mirrors of the ministering women at the entrance of the Tabernacle. This detail is significant: mirrors reveal one's imperfections and dirt. Spiritually, this suggests that the very means of priestly cleansing (the laver) was constructed from that which helped humans see their need for it, providing a profound metaphor for self-examination leading to purification. This also highlights a sacrifice from the people to contribute to God's holy dwelling, specifically women who faithfully served. The laver, therefore, served not only a practical function but also powerfully conveyed the message that personal defilement, once acknowledged, must be cleansed before approaching the thrice-holy God.

Exodus 30 18 Commentary

Exodus 30:18 establishes the vital role of the bronze laver in the Tabernacle worship system. Placed strategically between the Altar of Burnt Offering and the Holy Place, it underscored that the path to God required not only atonement for sin through sacrifice but also subsequent ritual purification. Priests were required to wash their hands and feet before ministry, a ceremonial act symbolizing the holiness necessary to stand before God. The bronze, possibly from women's mirrors, implied seeing one's own impurity, reinforcing the need for cleansing. This earthly laver foreshadowed the spiritual purification believers experience through Christ's shed blood and the Holy Spirit, making them holy priests who can boldly draw near to God and serve Him. It emphasizes that while sin is dealt with at the altar, a continuous process of sanctification and readiness is required for divine service and fellowship.