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

EXODUS 31:9KJV
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Exodus 31:9 (KJV)

What does Exodus 31:9 mean?

Exodus 31:9 lists two important items for Israel’s worship: the altar for burnt offerings, along with all its equipment, and the laver (a large basin) with its stand. This verse is part of a detailed inventory of the sacred objects that were to be made for the tabernacle, emphasizing their completeness and importance.

In Exodus 31, God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, giving instructions for building the tabernacle and its furnishings. This verse specifically highlights the altar used for burnt offerings and the laver, both central to the priests’ rituals. The mention of “all his furniture” shows that every tool and accessory connected to these objects was considered necessary for proper worship.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 31:9

  • “altar” (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): This word refers to the structure where sacrifices were offered. Its mention here points to the central role of sacrifice in Israel’s relationship with God.
  • “offering” (עֹלָה, olah): This word means a burnt offering, a specific type of sacrifice that was completely burned on the altar, symbolizing dedication to God.
  • “furniture” (כְּלִי, keli): This term covers all the utensils and tools used with the altar, reminding readers that worship involved many practical details.
  • “laver” (כִּיּוֹר, kiyyor): This was a basin for washing, used by priests before performing their duties, highlighting the importance of ritual cleanliness.
  • “foot” (כֵּן, ken): This word means the stand or base of the laver, showing that even the supporting parts of sacred objects were specified by God.

Why Exodus 31:9 matters

  • Exodus 31:9 shows that every part of worship, down to the tools and stands, was given careful attention, reflecting the seriousness of approaching God.
  • By listing both the altar and the laver, the verse connects sacrifices (atonement) and cleansing (purity), two key themes in Israel’s worship.
  • This verse helps readers see the continuity in God’s instructions, as each item mentioned ties back to earlier, detailed descriptions in Exodus, showing the thoroughness of God’s design for 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 30:18 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: