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.

EXODUS 30:18KJV
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Exodus 30:18 (KJV)

What does Exodus 30:18 mean?

Exodus 30:18 describes God’s instruction to Moses to make a basin out of bronze, with a bronze stand, for washing. This basin was to be placed between the tent of meeting (the tabernacle) and the altar, and it was to be filled with water for washing.

God is speaking directly to Moses, giving him detailed directions for setting up the tabernacle and its furnishings. The verse focuses on the practical need for cleanliness for those serving in the tabernacle, highlighting the importance of ritual washing before approaching sacred spaces or performing sacrifices.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 30:18

  • "laver" (כִּיּוֹר, kiyyor): This word refers to a basin or large bowl, specifically used for ritual washing. Its use here shows that the washing was not just practical but had ceremonial significance.
  • "brass" (נְחֹשֶׁת, nechoshet): The material specified is bronze or copper, which was durable and valuable. The choice of metal set the basin apart as a special, dedicated object.
  • "wash" (רָחַץ, rachatz): This verb means to wash or cleanse. In this context, it points to the act of purification required before entering the tabernacle or approaching the altar.
  • "tabernacle" (אֹהֶל, ohel) and "congregation" (מוֹעֵד, moed): These words refer to the tent of meeting, the central place where God met with His people. Their mention clarifies the location and importance of the basin.

Why Exodus 30:18 matters

  • Exodus 30:18 clarifies that ritual washing was a required step before priests could serve, emphasizing the seriousness of approaching God’s presence.
  • The verse shows the careful, ordered way God instructed Moses to set up worship, highlighting that every detail—even the placement and material of a washbasin—mattered.
  • By placing the basin between the tabernacle and the altar, the verse connects the ideas of sacrifice and purity, showing that both were essential parts of Israel’s worship.

Where else these words appear

“foot” Hebrew H3653 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 40:13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
  • Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Kings 7:31 And the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was a cubit: but the mouth thereof was round after the work of the base, a cubit and an half: and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.

“laver” Hebrew H3595 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 30:28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.
  • Exodus 40:11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
  • 1 Kings 7:40 And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD:

“wash” Hebrew H7364 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • Leviticus 15:6 And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • Judges 19:21 So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

“brass” Hebrew H5178 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Deuteronomy 28:23 And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.