Exodus 30:20 kjv

When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

Exodus 30:20 nkjv

When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, lest they die.

Exodus 30:20 niv

Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the LORD,

Exodus 30:20 esv

When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering to the LORD, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die.

Exodus 30:20 nlt

They must wash with water whenever they go into the Tabernacle to appear before the LORD and when they approach the altar to burn up their special gifts to the LORD ? or they will die!

Exodus 30 verses

Exodus 30 20 Meaning

Exodus 30:20 instructs the Aaronic priesthood—Aaron and his sons—to ceremonially wash their hands and feet at the bronze laver before undertaking any sacred duty, whether entering the Tabernacle or ministering at the altar. This mandatory purification ritual was prescribed to prevent their death, indicating the dire consequences of approaching God's holy presence in an unclean state. The verse further stipulates that this requirement is a perpetual and binding statute for all future generations of priests.

Exodus 30 20 Context

Exodus chapter 30 concludes a significant section detailing the sacred objects and procedures for the Tabernacle worship. Following the commands regarding the altar of incense, the half-shekel atonement money, and instructions for anointing oil and incense, verses 17-21 describe the bronze laver. This laver was positioned critically in the Tabernacle courtyard, situated between the altar of burnt offering (where animal sacrifices for atonement were made) and the entrance to the Tent of Meeting (the Holy Place). This strategic placement underscored its purpose as a prerequisite for any sacred duty. After sacrifice at the altar, but before performing any priestly function or entering God's direct presence, ritual purification was indispensable. Verse 20 highlights the severity of neglecting this ritual by explicitly stating the penalty: death. This emphasizes God's absolute holiness and the strict demands for ceremonial and moral purity for anyone approaching Him, setting a stark contrast to casual or defiled approaches.

Exodus 30 20 Word analysis

• They shall therefore wash: (Hebrew: וְרָחֲצוּ və·rā·ḥă·ṣū, from רָחַץ rachatz, to wash). The conjunctive "therefore" links this command to the purpose and function of the preceding laver, making it a direct and non-negotiable directive. This washing was a ceremonial act, signifying ritual purity rather than mere hygiene, and was essential for safe ministry.
• their hands: (Hebrew: יְדֵיהֶם yə·ḏê·hem, dual form of יָד yad, hand). This specific instruction for both hands symbolizes the cleanliness required for all actions and service performed in God's Tabernacle. The priest's actions had to be purified and consecrated for holy work.
• and their feet: (Hebrew: וְרַגְלֵיהֶם və·raḡ·lê·hem, dual form of רֶגֶל regel, foot). Mandating the washing of both feet signifies the purity required for the priest's entire walk and conduct in their sacred calling. Every step within the holy precincts needed to be holy.
• that they die not: (Hebrew: וְלֹא יָמֻתוּ və·lō’ yā·mu·ṯū, "and not they shall die"). This severe consequence underlines the gravity of the command and the profound holiness of God. Neglecting this ritual meant certain death at the Lord's hand, illustrating the absolute requirement for proper approach to God, vividly exemplified by Nadab and Abihu.
• and it shall be a statute for ever: (Hebrew: וְהָיְתָה־לָּהֶם חֻקַּת עוֹלָם wə·hā·yə·ṯāh-lā·hem ḥuq·qaṯ ‘ō·lām, "and it shall be for them a statute of perpetuity"). This declares the command to be a permanent and enduring ordinance within the Old Covenant priestly system. While "olam" points to perpetuity across generations, in the context of Old Testament law, it anticipates a lasting pattern until its spiritual fulfillment in Christ.
• to them: Directly identifies the beneficiaries and recipients of this perpetual command as Aaron and his priestly descendants.
• even to him and to his seed: Explicitly includes Aaron himself and all succeeding generations born into the priestly line. This ensured the practice's continuity beyond the initial generation.
• throughout their generations: Reinforces the unending, inter-generational nature of this ordinance, cementing its place as a foundational law for the priesthood until its prophetic shadow found reality in the person of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 30 20 Bonus section

The bronze laver was unique among the Tabernacle furniture as it was the only piece not described with specific dimensions (Exod 38:8). Its construction involved the melted down bronze mirrors of the Israelite women, symbolizing that reflecting on one's impurity before God precedes acceptable worship and service. Its location, positioned after the altar of burnt offering (symbolizing atonement) but before the Holy Place (symbolizing intimate fellowship), teaches a vital sequence: sacrifice and atonement for sin must precede cleansing for service, which then enables access to God's presence. While the water itself cleansed the body externally, the act instilled in the priests a profound understanding that God requires purity both in external action (hands) and overall conduct (feet). This echoes the ultimate spiritual truth that true cleansing is an inner transformation and requires an outward, righteous walk reflecting that inner state.

Exodus 30 20 Commentary

Exodus 30:20 provides a solemn declaration regarding the imperative of ritual purification for those serving in the Tabernacle. The washing of hands and feet by the priests was not a matter of choice or convenience but a divine mandate for survival in God's holy presence. The penalty of death for non-compliance underscores God's absolute sanctity and the extreme danger of approaching Him in an impure state. This command reveals that while atonement through sacrifice dealt with sin's guilt (at the altar), ritual cleansing addressed ceremonial defilement incurred through daily life and necessary for consecrated service. This principle establishes a prototype for approaching a holy God.

In the New Covenant, the physical ritual of washing has been superseded by the spiritual purification offered by Jesus Christ. His one-time sacrifice perfected all who are being made holy, making constant ritual washing unnecessary (Heb 10:10-14). Yet, the underlying truth remains: purity is essential for fellowship with God. Believers, now a "royal priesthood," are initially washed clean by "the washing of regeneration" through Christ's sacrifice (Tit 3:5), granting access to God. Furthermore, just as the Old Testament priests required ongoing washing due to daily exposure to the world, Christians require ongoing cleansing through confession of sins (1 John 1:9) and the sanctifying power of God's Word (Eph 5:26), enabling them to maintain close fellowship and render acceptable service. This verse teaches us that diligence in purity, driven by reverence for God's holiness, remains a timeless spiritual necessity for those who draw near to Him.

Practical usage:

• Daily Devotion: Approaching God in prayer and Bible study with a desire for a "clean heart" through repentance and reliance on Christ's cleansing.
• Christian Service: Engaging in ministry and spiritual disciplines with spiritual purity, understanding that all our "work" for God should flow from a consecrated life.
• Continual Repentance: Recognizing our ongoing need for spiritual cleansing from sin that defiles our "walk," acknowledging Christ as the ultimate Laver of purification.