The Meaning of Exodus 30:18 Explained

Exodus 30:18

KJV: 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.

YLT: 'And thou hast made a laver of brass (and its base of brass), for washing; and thou hast put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and hast put water there;

Darby: Thou shalt also make a laver of copper, and its stand of copper, for washing; and thou shalt put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water in it.

ASV: Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and the base thereof of brass, whereat to wash. And thou shalt put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Exodus 30:18 Mean?

Study Notes

laver
Laver, type of Christ cleansing us from defilement, and from "every spot or wrinkle or any such thing" John 13:2-10 ; Ephesians 5:25-27 . It is significant that the priests could not enter the holy place after serving at the brazen altar till hands and feet were cleansed.

Context Summary

Exodus 30:11-21 - The Atonement Money And The Laver
The atonement money was paid by all alike, to remind them that they were a redeemed race, and that so far as their value was concerned, neither rank, nor age, nor money made any difference. See Romans 3:22-24; Romans 10:12-13. The rich might not give more, lest he be made proud; the poor must not give less, so that he might be leveled up by the common mercy of God.
The laver reminds us of our need of daily washing. See John 13:1-38. It is very necessary to our peace and strength to repair constantly to Christ with confession and prayer. See 1 John 1:6-7. The laver was made out of the looking-glasses of the women. See Exodus 38:8. It was a good use for them, and was altogether appropriate, for the Word of God is compared to a mirror for its revealing qualities, and to water for cleansing. See James 1:23; Ephesians 5:26. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 30

1  The altar of incense
11  The ransom of souls
17  The bronze basin
22  The holy anointing oil
34  The composition of the incense

What do the individual words in Exodus 30:18 mean?

and You shall make a laver of bronze and with its base for washing And You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar in it water
וְעָשִׂ֜יתָ כִּיּ֥וֹר נְחֹ֛שֶׁת וְכַנּ֥וֹ לְרָחְצָ֑ה וְנָתַתָּ֣ אֹת֗וֹ בֵּֽין־ אֹ֤הֶל מוֹעֵד֙ וּבֵ֣ין הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ שָׁ֖מָּה מָֽיִם

וְעָשִׂ֜יתָ  and  You  shall  make 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
כִּיּ֥וֹר  a  laver 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כִּיּׄור  
Sense: pot, basin, laver, pan.
נְחֹ֛שֶׁת  of  bronze 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: נְחֹשֶׁת 
Sense: copper, bronze.
וְכַנּ֥וֹ  and  with  its  base 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: כֵּן 
Sense: base, stand, pedestal, office, foot, place, estate.
לְרָחְצָ֑ה  for  washing 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, third person feminine singular
Root: רָחַץ  
Sense: to wash, wash off, wash away, bathe.
וְנָתַתָּ֣  And  You  shall  put 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
בֵּֽין־  between 
Parse: Preposition
Root: בַּיִן 
Sense: between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between.
אֹ֤הֶל  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
מוֹעֵד֙  of  meeting 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹועֵד  
Sense: appointed place, appointed time, meeting.
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ  the  altar 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִזְבֵּחַ  
Sense: altar.
שָׁ֖מָּה  in  it 
Parse: Adverb, third person feminine singular
Root: שָׁם  
Sense: there, thither.
מָֽיִם  water 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.