Exodus 40:30
And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙
And he set
H7760
וַיָּ֙שֶׂם֙
And he set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 12
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכִּיֹּ֔ר
the laver
H3595
הַכִּיֹּ֔ר
the laver
Strong's:
H3595
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, something round (as excavated or bored), i.e., a chafing-dish for coals or a caldron for cooking; hence (from similarity of form) a washbowl
בֵּֽין
H996
בֵּֽין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
4 of 12
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
אֹ֥הֶל
between the tent
H168
אֹ֥הֶל
between the tent
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
5 of 12
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵ֖ד
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֖ד
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
וּבֵ֣ין
H996
וּבֵ֣ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
7 of 12
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן
and put
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
שָׁ֛מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֛מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
10 of 12
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
Historical Context
The laver's bronze construction from mirrors donated by serving women (Exodus 38:8) meant priests saw themselves while washing—self-examination accompanied cleansing. The requirement to wash hands and feet before service (v. 31-32) under penalty of death (Exodus 30:20-21) emphasized holiness's necessity for ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the laver's position illustrate that salvation includes both justification and sanctification?
- What does Moses himself washing teach about leaders' need for personal holiness, not merely positional authority?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The laver's placement 'between the tent of the congregation and the altar' with water for washing establishes the order: sacrifice (altar), cleansing (laver), service (tent). Moses washed at the laver, modeling that leaders aren't exempt from purification. The water symbolizes the Word cleansing believers (Ephesians 5:26; John 15:3). The laver's intermediate position teaches that justification (altar/sacrifice) enables but doesn't replace sanctification (laver/cleansing). Christ's blood justifies; His Spirit sanctifies (1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5).