Exodus 30:18
New International Version
“Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it.

New Living Translation
“Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water.

English Standard Version
“You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it,

Berean Standard Bible
“You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it,

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it,

New American Standard Bible
“You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its base of bronze, for washing; and you shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.

NASB 1995
“You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base of bronze, for washing; and you shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.

NASB 1977
“You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base of bronze, for washing; and you shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.

Legacy Standard Bible
“You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing; and you shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.

Amplified Bible
“You shall also make a basin of bronze, with a base of bronze, for washing. You shall put it [outside in the court] between the Tent of Meeting and the altar [of burnt offering], and you shall put water in it.

Christian Standard Bible
“Make a bronze basin for washing and a bronze stand for it. Set it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Make a bronze basin for washing and a bronze stand for it. Set it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it.

American Standard Version
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.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and the base thereof of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and fill it with water.

Good News Translation
"Make a bronze basin with a bronze base. Place it between the Tent and the altar, and put water in it.

International Standard Version
"You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze base for washing. You are to pace it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, put water in it,

Majority Standard Bible
“You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it,

NET Bible
"You are also to make a large bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. You are to put it between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it,

New Heart English Bible
"You shall also make a basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, in which to wash. You shall put it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and its foot also of brass, to wash in: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

World English Bible
“You shall also make a basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, in which to wash. You shall put it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“And you have made a laver of bronze (and its base of bronze), for washing; and you have put it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and have put water [in] there,

Young's Literal Translation
'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;

Smith's Literal Translation
Make a brass wash-basin, and its pedestal brass, for washing: and give it between the tent of appointment and between the altar, and give water there.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt make also a brazen laver with its foot, to wash in: and thou shalt set it between the tabernacle of the testimony and the altar. And water being put into it,

Catholic Public Domain Version
“You shall also make a bronze washtub with its base to wash in; and you shall place it between the tabernacle of the testimony and the altar. And when water has been added,

New American Bible
For ablutions you shall make a bronze basin with a bronze stand. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall also make a laver of brass, and its base of brass, for washing; and you shall put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and you shall put water into it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH spoke with Moshe and he said to him,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Make a brazen laver, and a brazen base for it, for washing; and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of witness and the altar, and thou shalt pour forth water into it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Bronze Basin
17And the LORD said to Moses, 18“You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it, 19with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet.…

Cross References
Exodus 38:8
Next he made the bronze basin and its stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

1 Kings 7:38-39
He also made ten bronze basins, each holding forty baths and measuring four cubits across, one basin for each of the ten stands. / He set five stands on the south side of the temple and five on the north, and he put the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner of the temple.

2 Chronicles 4:6
He also made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north. The parts of the burnt offering were rinsed in them, but the priests used the Sea for washing.

Leviticus 8:11
He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them.

Numbers 8:7
This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.

Psalm 26:6
I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD,

Psalm 51:2
Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:7
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Isaiah 1:16
Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!

Ezekiel 36:25
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.

John 13:5-10
After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him. / He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” / Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” ...

John 2:6
Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons.

Hebrews 9:10
They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.

Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,


Treasury of Scripture

You shall also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash with: and you shall put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and you shall put water therein.

a laver

Exodus 31:9
And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot,

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.

Leviticus 8:11
And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.

put it

Exodus 40:7,30-32
And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein…

Jump to Previous
Altar Base Basin Brass Bronze Congregation Copper Foot Laver Meeting Stand Tabernacle Tent Therein Thereof Wash Washing Washing-Vessel Water Withal
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Altar Base Basin Brass Bronze Congregation Copper Foot Laver Meeting Stand Tabernacle Tent Therein Thereof Wash Washing Washing-Vessel Water Withal
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














You are to make
This phrase indicates a divine command, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's instructions. The Hebrew root for "make" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which implies crafting or constructing with purpose. This command reflects the meticulous care and intentionality God requires in worship practices, underscoring the sacredness of the task.

a bronze basin
The basin, or "כִּיּוֹר" (kiyor) in Hebrew, was a large vessel used for ritual purification. Bronze, a durable and valuable metal, symbolizes strength and endurance. The use of bronze signifies the enduring nature of God's covenant and the purity required to approach Him. Historically, bronze was a common material in ancient Near Eastern cultures for crafting significant religious artifacts.

for washing
Washing, or "רָחַץ" (rachatz) in Hebrew, signifies purification and cleansing. This act was essential for the priests before performing their duties, symbolizing the need for spiritual cleanliness. The ritual washing foreshadows the New Testament concept of spiritual cleansing through Christ, highlighting the continuity of God's redemptive plan.

with a bronze stand
The stand, or "כֵּן" (ken) in Hebrew, provided stability and elevation for the basin. This detail emphasizes the importance of accessibility and readiness in worship. The stand's bronze composition aligns with the basin, reinforcing the theme of strength and purity in the service of God.

and set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar
The placement of the basin is significant, situated between the Tent of Meeting, where God's presence dwelled, and the altar, where sacrifices were made. This positioning underscores the necessity of purification before entering God's presence or offering sacrifices, symbolizing the intermediary role of cleansing in the relationship between God and His people.

and put water in it
Water, a symbol of life and purification, is essential for the basin's function. In the biblical context, water often represents the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, both of which cleanse and renew believers. The act of filling the basin with water signifies the provision of God’s means for purification, pointing to the spiritual cleansing available through faith.

THE BRAZEN LAVER.

(18) Thou shalt also make a laver of brass.--Rather, of bronze. (See Note on Exodus 25:3.) Water was required for the ablutions of the priests (Exodus 30:19-21), for the washing of certain parts of the victim, (Exodus 29:27; Leviticus 1:9; Leviticus 1:13, &c.), and probably for the cleansing of the altar itself and the ground whereon it stood from blood stains and other defilements. . . .

Verse 18 - A laver. It is remarkable that nothing is said respecting either the shape or the size of the laver. In 1 Kings we have an elaborate description of the "molten sea," which replaced it in Solomon's temple, as well as an almost equally elaborate one of ten other layers made by Hiram, Solomon's artist, at the same time. We may perhaps assume from these examples that the brazen laver of the tabernacle was a large bronze vase or basin, standing upon a stem, which was fixed into a base. It was probably fitted up with an apparatus of taps and cocks. Between the tabernacle .... and the altar. The Rabbinical commentators say that it was not exactly in the middle, but a little towards the south side.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“You are to make
וְעָשִׂ֜יתָ (wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a bronze
נְחֹ֛שֶׁת (nə·ḥō·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base

basin
כִּיּ֥וֹר (kî·yō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3595: Pot, basin

with a bronze
נְחֹ֖שֶׁת (nə·ḥō·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base

stand
וְכַנּ֥וֹ (wə·ḵan·nōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3653: A stand, pedestal, station

for washing.
לְרָחְצָ֑ה (lə·rā·ḥə·ṣāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7364: To wash, wash off or away, bathe

Set
וְנָתַתָּ֣ (wə·nā·ṯa·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

it between
בֵּֽין־ (bên-)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the Tent
אֹ֤הֶל (’ō·hel)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting
מוֹעֵד֙ (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

and the altar,
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

and put
וְנָתַתָּ֥ (wə·nā·ṯa·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

water
מָֽיִם׃ (mā·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

into it,
שָׁ֖מָּה (šām·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither


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OT Law: Exodus 30:18 You shall also make a basin (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 30:17
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