And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.

EXODUS 40:11KJV
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Exodus 40:11 (KJV)

What does Exodus 40:11 mean?

Exodus 40:11 directs Moses to apply oil to the washing basin and its stand, setting them apart for use at the place where Israel would worship God. The verse treats both the basin and its support as part of the equipment prepared for that purpose.

God is speaking to Moses as the tent of meeting is being prepared. The KJV calls the basin a “laver” and its stand a “foot.” The command follows the anointing of the altar in the preceding verse.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 40:11

  • “anoint” — מָשַׁח (mashach): This word means to apply or rub on oil. Here, the action uses the specially prepared anointing oil described in Exodus 30:25–29.
  • “foot” — כֵּן (ken): This word can mean a base or stand. In Exodus 40:11, it refers to the support for the basin, not a person’s foot.
  • “sanctify” — קָדַשׁ (qadash): This word carries the sense of making or treating something as holy, or set apart. Here, Moses is to set the basin apart for its use in worship.

Why Exodus 40:11 matters

  • The basin had a practical role in the worship setting. Exodus 40:30–32 says Moses put water in it for Aaron and his sons to wash their hands and feet before approaching to serve.
  • The stand is included in the preparation. The words “the laver and his foot” show that the supporting piece was treated along with the basin itself.
  • The oil was distinct from the water used for washing. Moses was told to anoint the basin during its preparation; the basin was later filled with water for the priests’ use.

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 35:16 The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
  • 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 40:7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
  • 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:

“anoint” Hebrew H4886 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
  • Numbers 7:1 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
  • 1 Kings 1:39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.