Exodus 40:11 kjv
And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
Exodus 40:11 nkjv
And you shall anoint the laver and its base, and consecrate it.
Exodus 40:11 niv
Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.
Exodus 40:11 esv
You shall also anoint the basin and its stand, and consecrate it.
Exodus 40:11 nlt
Next anoint the washbasin and its stand to consecrate them.
Exodus 40 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 30:18-21 | "Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass...to wash..." | Purpose of the laver for priestly purification. |
| Exod 40:9-10 | "And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all..." | Broader command to anoint all furnishings. |
| Lev 8:10-11 | "And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all..." | Fulfillment of the command for Tabernacle. |
| Lev 8:12 | "And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him..." | Anointing of priests alongside furnishings. |
| Exod 28:41 | "And thou shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them..." | Command to consecrate priests. |
| Lev 8:6 | "And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water." | Priestly washing for service. |
| Num 8:7 | "And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying..." | Levite purification. |
| Psa 51:7 | "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter..." | Plea for inner spiritual cleansing. |
| Isa 1:16 | "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before..." | Call for moral and spiritual cleansing. |
| Eze 36:25 | "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all..." | Prophecy of new covenant cleansing. |
| John 3:5 | "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the..." | New birth involving spiritual washing. |
| John 13:10 | "Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet..." | Symbolic washing, ongoing need for cleansing. |
| Heb 9:13-14 | "For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer...sanctifieth..." | Superiority of Christ's blood for purification. |
| Heb 10:22 | "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our..." | Cleansing of hearts for access to God. |
| Eph 5:26 | "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word..." | Christ sanctifies the church through the Word. |
| Tit 3:5 | "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy..." | Salvation through the washing of regeneration. |
| 1 Cor 6:11 | "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but..." | Believers are washed, sanctified, justified. |
| 1 Pet 1:16 | "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." | Command to be holy, mirroring God's character. |
| Rom 12:1 | "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present..." | Believers' dedication as living sacrifices. |
| 1 Thess 4:3-4 | "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification..." | God's will for believers' sanctification. |
| 2 Tim 2:21 | "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour..." | Purification for usefulness to God. |
| Exod 29:36 | "And thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it..." | Altar also required cleansing and consecration. |
| 2 Cor 7:1 | "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves..." | Practical pursuit of holiness. |
Exodus 40 verses
Exodus 40 11 Meaning
Exodus 40:11 describes the divine command for Moses to anoint and consecrate the laver and its stand, making them holy for their designated function within the Tabernacle. This act of anointing signifies the separation of these items from common use and their dedication solely for God's service, particularly for the ritual washing of the priests. It underscores the vital importance of purity and sanctity in all aspects of worship and in approaching the holy presence of God.
Exodus 40 11 Context
Exodus chapter 40 marks the culmination of the Tabernacle's construction and establishment. After months of meticulous work guided by detailed divine blueprints given to Moses on Mount Sinai, the sanctuary is finally ready for assembly. Moses is meticulously following God's exact instructions to set up each component—the Tabernacle structure, the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, the Altar of Incense, the Altar of Burnt Offering, and finally, the Laver. This specific verse (40:11) falls within the final commands for the anointing and sanctification of all the Tabernacle furnishings before the glory of the Lord descends to indwell it. The anointing of the laver is therefore a critical step in consecrating the place and tools by which God's chosen people could properly approach Him. Historically, this event signifies the tangible establishment of God's dwelling place among Israel in the wilderness, allowing for mediated interaction and the implementation of the Sinaitic covenant, highlighting God's orderliness and the necessity of purity for fellowship with a holy God. This precise obedience contrasted sharply with the often chaotic and immoral worship practices of surrounding pagan nations, demonstrating the unique holiness and specific requirements of the true God.
Exodus 40 11 Word analysis
- And thou shalt anoint (וּמָשַׁחְתָּ ūmāšaḥtā): Derived from the Hebrew root mashach (מָשַׁח), meaning "to smear" or "to anoint." This term implies a sacred act of setting apart, signifying dedication and divine appointment. The anointing oil, specifically compounded, distinguished these objects for holy use, often representing the Spirit of God in a theological sense, enabling service and bringing forth holiness.
- the laver (אֶת־הַכִּיּוֹר ’eṯ-hakîyyōr): Refers to the "kiyyor" (כִּיּוֹר), a large bronze basin. In the Tabernacle, this specific laver was placed between the Tent of Meeting and the Altar of Burnt Offering. Its primary purpose was for the priests to wash their hands and feet before entering the Holy Place or ministering at the altar. This physical washing prefigured the spiritual cleansing necessary for approaching a holy God. It underscored that purification was an ongoing, practical necessity for service.
- and his foot (וְאֶת־כַּנּוֹ wə’eṯ-kannōw): Refers to the "ken" (כֵּן), the stand or base supporting the laver. The explicit mention of the "foot" or base indicates thoroughness. Not just the main vessel but also its support structure, which elevates it, must be dedicated to holiness. Every part associated with holy service must be sanctified. This emphasizes that there are no "unimportant" details in divine service, every component contributing to the sacred function must be made holy.
- and sanctify them (וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ ’eṯām): From the Hebrew root qadash (קָדַשׁ), meaning "to be holy," "to set apart," or "to dedicate." This is the ultimate purpose of the anointing. It makes the laver and its foot holy, distinguishing them from common objects and reserving them exclusively for God's purposes. Holiness is intrinsic to God's nature and is demanded of all that approaches Him or is used in His worship. This command signifies that access to God requires a state of holiness and purity, foreshadowing Christ who is the ultimate sanctifier and purifier for all believers.
Exodus 40 11 Bonus section
The anointing oil used for the Tabernacle and its furnishings was unique, precisely compounded according to God's specific recipe (Exod 30:22-33) and was strictly forbidden for common use or replication (Exod 30:32-33). This highlights the singular and sacred nature of everything dedicated to God. Furthermore, the bronze for the laver was specifically made from the bronze mirrors donated by the Israelite women (Exod 38:8). This act of self-sacrificial giving by the women for the very instrument of purification used by the priests adds a layer of significance, symbolizing the communal commitment to holiness and pure worship. The emphasis on anointing all components, from the largest tent curtains to the smallest stand of the laver, reflects God's meticulous nature and His demand for total dedication and holiness in all matters related to His worship and presence.
Exodus 40 11 Commentary
Exodus 40:11, while concise, carries profound theological weight within the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's erection. The anointing and sanctification of the laver emphasize that even the instrument for ritual cleansing itself must first be set apart and made holy. This act establishes the laver not merely as a utilitarian object but as a consecrated vessel of divine service. It powerfully reinforces the theme that a holy God requires purity from all who would serve Him or enter His presence. The Old Testament laver and its specific anointing illustrate the foundational principle that access to God is predicated upon purification, foreshadowing the complete cleansing and sanctification provided by Christ through His blood and the indwelling Spirit in the New Covenant. Just as priests had to wash, believers today are cleansed by Christ's finished work and continue to walk in purity by the Spirit, becoming spiritual "lavers" in the service of God through practical righteousness and devotion.