Exodus 30:19

¹⁸“You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it,¹⁹with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet.²⁰Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made by fire to the LORD, they must wash with water so that they will not die.

Summary

In Exodus 30:19, God instructs Moses to use the bronze basin for Aaron and his sons to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle or approaching the altar to minister. This act of washing symbolizes the need for spiritual cleansing and purity before coming into God's presence. It serves as a reminder of the importance of holiness and reverence when serving the Lord. The physical act of washing also represents the inner cleansing of sin through repentance and seeking forgiveness. Overall, this verse underscores the significance of approaching God with a clean heart and a pure conscience.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat. Not in it, but at it; the laver had mouths or spouts, as Ben Melech says, from whence the water flowed when the priests washed their hands and feet at it; and so Bartenora says (z) they did not wash out of the laver, but from water flowing out of it; it is said "out of it", not in it; it seems at first there were but two of these spouts; for it is said (a) Ben Katin made twelve spouts or cocks, which had but two before; so that twelve priests could wash their hands and feet at one time, and which they could do at once, presently, by putting the right hand on the top of the right foot, and the left hand upon the left foot, as both Jarchi and Ben Melech relate: and now the hands being the instruments of action, and the feet of walking, this shows that the actions of good men, the priests of the Lord, and their walk and conversation, are not without sin, and that these need washing in the laver of Christ's blood, to which there must be daily application, see Zac 13:1. Our Lord seems to have reference to this ceremony, Joh 13:10 the Egyptian priests washed twice every day in cold water, and twice every night (b). (z) In Misn. Zebachim, c. 2. sect. 1. (a) Misn. Yoma. c. 3. sect. 10. (b) Herodot. Euterpe, sive, l. 2. c. 37.