Exodus 40 32

Exodus 40:32 kjv

When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exodus 40:32 nkjv

Whenever they went into the tabernacle of meeting, and when they came near the altar, they washed, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Exodus 40:32 niv

They washed whenever they entered the tent of meeting or approached the altar, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exodus 40:32 esv

When they went into the tent of meeting, and when they approached the altar, they washed, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Exodus 40:32 nlt

Whenever they approached the altar and entered the Tabernacle, they washed themselves, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 32 Meaning

Exodus 40:32 states that the priests, when entering the Tent of Meeting or approaching the altar, performed a required washing. This action was not of their own volition but was carried out precisely "as the LORD commanded Moses," highlighting divine instruction and the necessity of ceremonial purification for all who served within God's sacred dwelling. It underscores the perpetual requirement for ritual purity for service and access in the Tabernacle.

Exodus 40 32 Context

Exodus 40:32 is part of the climactic conclusion to the Book of Exodus, detailing the completion and consecration of the Tabernacle, the portable dwelling place for God's presence among Israel. Specifically, verses 30-32 describe the placement and function of the bronze laver in the Tabernacle court. The entire chapter focuses on the faithful and meticulous execution of all divine instructions regarding the Tabernacle's construction and arrangement. This particular verse highlights the specific daily operational requirement for Aaron and his sons, the appointed priests, to wash at the laver. This action was indispensable for ritual purity, making them fit to enter the holy areas (the Tent of Meeting) and minister at the altar, signifying that approach to a holy God always demanded cleansing and sanctification, echoing a theme prevalent throughout the Law. The immediate historical context is the inauguration of the Tabernacle service, emphasizing adherence to the divine pattern for establishing a functioning worship system that accommodated God's holiness within human activity.

Exodus 40 32 Word analysis

• when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near the altar, they washed;

  • This phrase emphasizes two critical zones within the Tabernacle courtyard that required prior purification:
    • "Tent of Meeting" (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - 'ohel mo'ed): The inner sanctum where God would meet with His people, housing the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. This represented the very presence of God.
    • "the altar" (הַמִּזְבֵּחַ - ha'mizbeach): The bronze altar for burnt offerings, the primary place of atonement and worship in the outer court. Both access to God's presence and service of atonement necessitated cleansing.
  • "they washed" (רָחַצוּ - rakhatzu): This verb means "to wash, bathe, cleanse." In a cultic context, it signifies ceremonial purification. This was not merely for physical hygiene but carried profound symbolic and theological meaning, preparing one for holy service by removing ritual defilement. It highlights a recurring and essential act for proper approach to God.

• as the LORD commanded Moses.

  • This concluding phrase is a key refrain throughout Exodus 39-40, appearing numerous times (e.g., Ex 39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31, 32, 42, 43; Ex 40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32).
  • "commanded" (צִוָּה - tzavah): Denotes a definitive, authoritative, and direct order. It underlines the divine origin and mandatory nature of the instructions.
  • "Moses" (מֹשֶׁה - Mosheh): Refers to the mediator through whom God conveyed all the laws and patterns for the Tabernacle. This stresses Moses' faithfulness in transmitting God's precise instructions.
  • This recurring formula ("as the LORD commanded Moses") underscores:
    • Divine Authority: The Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the procedures for ministry were not human inventions but were entirely God-ordained.
    • Obedience and Fidelity: It affirms that Moses and the people faithfully executed every detail of God's revealed will. Their meticulous adherence to the blueprint was vital for the Tabernacle to truly function as God intended, especially concerning maintaining His holy presence among them. This precision in worship serves as a subtle polemic against ancient Near Eastern cults, where human innovation and syncretism often dictated religious practices.

Exodus 40 32 Bonus section

The pervasive emphasis on precise obedience, evidenced by the recurrent "as the LORD commanded Moses" (used 8 times in Ex 40 alone), serves multiple theological functions beyond simply narrating the Tabernacle's completion. It affirms God's perfect sovereignty over worship and challenges any human-initiated alterations to His divine design. This established a precedent for all future worship and service, ensuring that reverence for God's holiness remained paramount. Furthermore, the mandatory washing for the priests illustrates a profound principle of discontinuity and distinction: priests, though uniquely chosen and consecrated, were not inherently clean or able to withstand God's holiness without divine provision for purification. Their defilement accumulated in their daily interactions, requiring frequent ritual washing to remain suitable for service. This perpetual need for cleansing serves as a dramatic precursor to the ultimate, perfect cleansing provided through Christ, who as our High Priest, needed no washing for Himself, but perfectly and eternally cleanses us.

Exodus 40 32 Commentary

Exodus 40:32 acts as a summarizing statement for the proper use of the laver within the newly consecrated Tabernacle, emphasizing the fundamental requirement for purification before engaging in sacred service. The repeated phrase, "as the LORD commanded Moses," powerfully underlines God's precise instruction and Moses' complete fidelity in its execution. This was not a suggestion but an essential command, underscoring the infinite holiness of God which necessitated a consecrated approach from His servants. The act of washing represented both an external cleansing from ritual impurity and a symbolic preparation of the worshiper's readiness for divine interaction.

This verse teaches that access to God and ministry in His presence are predicated on divine provision and human purification, not presumption. The laver was a constant reminder of sin's defilement and the necessity of ceremonial removal to avert death (Ex 30:20-21). For believers today, this foreshadows the deeper, spiritual cleansing offered through Jesus Christ. While Old Covenant washings were outward and repetitive, the New Covenant provides a complete, once-for-all spiritual cleansing through Christ's sacrifice, as well as an ongoing, daily spiritual washing by His Word (Eph 5:26) and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Just as the priests regularly returned to the laver, believers are called to consistent confession and drawing near to God, trusting in the finished work of Christ for their access and spiritual purity.

• Example 1: Daily Bible reading and prayer can be seen as a spiritual "washing," cleansing our minds and hearts from worldly defilements before engaging with God's presence and will for our lives.
• Example 2: Regular confession of sins acknowledges our need for ongoing cleansing by Christ's blood, just as the priests' washing acknowledged their constant need for ritual purification.