Exodus 30:18 - Printer Friendly

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,

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.

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

CSB: "Make a bronze basin for washing and a bronze stand for it. Set it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it.

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

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.

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 30:17–21 explains how to construct a large washbasin made of bronze. This will be placed in the courtyard (Exodus 27:9) of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). Aaron, his sons, and all future generations of priests are to wash before performing any rituals. Ceremonial cleanness is a cornerstone aspect of the Mosaic covenant (Leviticus 10:10; Numbers 19:12).

Items described here function with other sacred objects (Exodus 25—28) constructed for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). One is a small gold-lined altar for incense. The other is a large bronze basin for ceremonial washing. The last two sets of instructions are for specially formulated anointing oil and sacred incense. Israel will establish a national tax to pay for these.

Much of Exodus is a description of the tabernacle and its components (Exodus 25—28). This is the last section of new designs given in this book. God will assign craftsmen to make the sacred objects (Exodus 31). But while Moses receives these instructions, Israel slips into idolatry (Exodus 32). The last several chapters of Exodus record how God's earlier instructions were followed with precision.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.