And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.

EXODUS 30:28KJV
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Exodus 30:28 (KJV)

What does Exodus 30:28 mean?

Exodus 30:28 lists specific items in the tabernacle—the altar of burnt offering, all its vessels, the laver, and its stand—as objects to be set apart for God’s service. This verse is part of detailed instructions about what should be anointed and consecrated for use in Israel’s worship.

In this passage, God is speaking to Moses, giving him directions for preparing the tabernacle and everything used in it. The altar of burnt offering was where sacrifices were made, and the laver was a basin for washing. By naming these items and their associated vessels, the verse stresses that every part of worship, even the tools and furniture, was to be treated as holy.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 30:28

  • altar (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): This word refers to the structure where burnt offerings were made. Its mention highlights the central role of sacrifice in Israel’s worship.
  • offering (עֹלָה, olah): This term means a burnt offering, something completely given over to God. The altar’s purpose was specifically for these offerings.
  • vessels (כְּלִי, keli): These are the tools and utensils used with the altar, such as pots, shovels, and basins. Their inclusion shows that even the supporting items were to be consecrated.
  • laver (כִּיּוֹר, kiyyor): This was a basin for the priests to wash their hands and feet, symbolizing purity before serving.
  • foot (כֵּן, ken): This refers to the stand or base of the laver, showing that even the base supporting the washing basin was important enough to be set apart.

Why Exodus 30:28 matters

  • Exodus 30:28 clarifies that holiness in worship extended beyond the main altar to every object involved, not just the most visible or central items.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the thoroughness of God’s instructions for worship, emphasizing that every detail mattered.
  • By listing the vessels and the laver’s base, the verse prevents the misunderstanding that only the main altar or the sacrifices themselves were sacred; every supporting item was also to be treated with respect.

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 30:18 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 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: