Exodus 40:31

Verse

and from it Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and feet.

American Standard Version (1901)

And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat;

In it the hands and feet of Moses and Aaron and his sons were washed,

He set up also the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, drawing the hanging in the entry thereof. After all things were perfected,

Free Bible Version

Moses, Aaron, and his sons used it to wash their hands and feet

Geneva Bible 1599

So Moses and Aaron, and his sonnes washed their handes and their feete thereat.

King James (Authorized) Version

And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:

One Unity Resource Bible

Moses [Drawn out], Aaron [Light-bringer], and his sons washed their hands and their feet there.

Translation for Translators

Every time Moses/I and Aaron and his sons went into the Sacred Tent or went to the altar, they/we washed their/our hands and feet ritually, exactly as Yahweh had commanded Moses/me.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet from the basin

Noah Webster Bible

And Moses, and Aaron, and his sons, washed their hands and their feet thereat:

World English Bible

Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet there.

Young's Literal Translation

and Moses and Aaron and his sons have washed their hands and their feet at the same;

Context

Setting Up the Tabernacle

³⁰He placed the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing;³¹and from it Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and feet.³²They washed whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Summary

In Exodus 40:31, we see the completion of the tabernacle setup by Moses and the Israelites. The verse highlights the significance of the anointing oil and the blood of the sacrifice in consecrating the priests and the tabernacle itself. This act symbolizes the setting apart of the priests for their holy duties and the sanctification of the tabernacle as a place of worship. The anointing oil represents the presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, while the blood signifies atonement for sin and reconciliation with God. This verse foreshadows the ultimate consecration and redemption brought by Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation,.... He had been there before, both in the holy, and in the most holy place, to see that the furniture of each were put as the Lord directed, which being done he came out again; and now a cloud being on the outside of it, and the glory of the Lord within, he was so struck with an awe and reverence of the divine Being, of whose presence these were a symbol, that he could not engage his heart, or had not boldness to go into the tabernacle until he was called, Lev 1:1 for so it follows: because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle; there was something, no doubt, very venerable in the spreading cloud, as well as very striking in the refulgent glory, which commanded distance, even to a person that had been used to converse with God; Moses, that went into the midst of the cloud where the Lord was, now could not or durst not go into the tabernacle it covered; and he who then was not deterred by the sight of the glory of God, which was like devouring fire, Exo 24:16 now could not, or at least thought it not proper and advisable to enter into the holy place erected for the service and worship of God; the chief reason of which may be, because, as yet, he had not a call to enter, as he then had, and as we find was afterwards given him, Lev 1:1 and perhaps another reason may be, because he was now no longer a priest; Aaron and his sons being invested with the priestly office, whose business it was to draw nigh to God; and indeed the call he afterwards had was not to come into the tabernacle, but was a call unto him out of it.