Exodus 40:12
New International Version
“Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water.

New Living Translation
“Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water.

English Standard Version
Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall wash them with water

Berean Standard Bible
Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.

King James Bible
And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

New King James Version
“Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of meeting and wash them with water.

New American Standard Bible
Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tent of meeting and wash them with water.

NASB 1995
“Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tent of meeting and wash them with water.

NASB 1977
“Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tent of meeting and wash them with water.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tent of meeting and wash them with water.

Amplified Bible
Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.

Christian Standard Bible
“Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water.

American Standard Version
And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water.

Contemporary English Version
Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent and tell them to wash themselves.

English Revised Version
And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting, and wash them.

Good News Translation
"Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the Tent, and have them take a ritual bath.

International Standard Version
Then you are to bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the Tent of Meeting, and wash them with water.

NET Bible
"You are to bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water.

New Heart English Bible
You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.

World English Bible
“You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have brought Aaron and his sons near to the opening of the Tent of Meeting, and have bathed them with water;

Young's Literal Translation
'And thou hast brought near Aaron and his sons unto the opening of the tent of meeting, and hast bathed them with water;

Smith's Literal Translation
And bring near Aaron and his sons to the door of the tent of appointment and wash them in water.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, and having washed them with water,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall bring forward Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tabernacle of the testimony, and, having washed them with water,

New American Bible
Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting, and there wash them with water.

New Revised Standard Version
Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting, and shall wash them with water,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And bring Ahron and his children to the door of the Time Tabernacle and wash them in water.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons to the doors of the tabernacle of witness, and thou shalt wash them with water.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Setting Up the Tabernacle
11Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them. 12Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. 13And you are to clothe Aaron with the holy garments, anoint him, and consecrate him, so that he may serve Me as a priest.…

Cross References
Leviticus 8:6
Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.

Numbers 8:6-7
“Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. / 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.

Exodus 29:4
Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.

Leviticus 16:4
He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them.

Numbers 8:21
The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes, and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them.

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.

Leviticus 8:30
Next, Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and their garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments, as well as Aaron’s sons and their garments.

Numbers 8:5-22
Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, / “Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. / 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. ...

Exodus 28:41
After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, ordain them, and consecrate them so that they may serve Me as priests.

Leviticus 8:12
He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.

Hebrews 7:26-28
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. / Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. / For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Leviticus 16:24
He is to bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his own clothes. Then he must go out and sacrifice his burnt offering and the people’s burnt offering to make atonement for himself and for the people.

Numbers 3:3
These were Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests.

Hebrews 5:1-4
Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. / He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. / That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. ...

Leviticus 21:10
The priest who is highest among his brothers, who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair hang loose or tear his garments.


Treasury of Scripture

And you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

Exodus 29:1-35
And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish, …

Leviticus 8:1-13
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, …

Leviticus 9:1
And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;

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Aaron Bathe Bathed Congregation Door Doorway Entrance Meeting Opening Tabernacle Tent Wash Washing Water
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Aaron Bathe Bathed Congregation Door Doorway Entrance Meeting Opening Tabernacle Tent Wash Washing Water
Exodus 40
1. The tabernacle is commanded to be reared, anointed, and consecrated
13. Aaron and his sons to be sanctified
16. Moses performs all things accordingly
34. A cloud covers the tabernacle














Then bring Aaron and his sons
This phrase indicates the selection of Aaron and his sons for a special role within the Israelite community. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was chosen by God to be the first high priest, and his sons were to serve as priests. This establishes the Aaronic priesthood, which is a hereditary priesthood passed down through Aaron's lineage. The priesthood is a type of Christ, who is our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as described in Hebrews 7. The selection of Aaron and his sons underscores the importance of divine calling and ordination in spiritual leadership.

to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting
The Tent of Meeting, also known as the Tabernacle, was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was a sacred space where God would meet with Moses and the priests. The entrance to the Tent of Meeting was a significant location, symbolizing the threshold between the common and the holy. This setting emphasizes the need for purification and preparation before entering into God's presence, reflecting the holiness required to approach God.

and wash them with water
The act of washing with water signifies purification and consecration. In the ancient Near Eastern context, washing was a common ritual for cleansing and preparing individuals for religious duties. This washing symbolizes the need for spiritual cleansing and sanctification before serving in the presence of God. It prefigures the New Testament concept of baptism, which represents the washing away of sin and the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. The washing of Aaron and his sons highlights the necessity of purity and holiness in those who minister before the Lord.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The brother of Moses, appointed as the first high priest of Israel. His role was crucial in mediating between God and the Israelites.

2. Aaron's Sons
They were appointed as priests to assist Aaron in the priestly duties. Their consecration was essential for the continuation of the priestly line.

3. Tent of Meeting
Also known as the Tabernacle, it was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites. It served as the central place of worship and sacrifice.

4. Washing with Water
This act symbolized purification and consecration, preparing Aaron and his sons for their sacred duties.

5. Consecration Ceremony
This event marked the formal setting apart of Aaron and his sons for the priesthood, involving rituals that signified holiness and dedication to God.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Purity in Service
Just as Aaron and his sons were washed before serving, believers are called to pursue spiritual purity and holiness in their service to God.

The Role of the Priesthood
The priesthood in the Old Testament foreshadows the priesthood of all believers in Christ, who are called to be mediators of God's grace to the world.

Symbolism of Water in Scripture
Water is a recurring symbol of cleansing and renewal, reminding believers of the need for continual spiritual renewal through the Holy Spirit.

Preparation for Worship
The preparation of Aaron and his sons highlights the importance of preparing our hearts and minds for worship and service to God.

Christ as Our High Priest
Reflect on how Christ fulfills the role of the High Priest, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice and interceding on our behalf.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 40:12?

2. How does Exodus 40:12 emphasize the importance of consecration in Christian life today?

3. What role does Aaron's consecration play in understanding New Testament priesthood?

4. How can we apply the concept of washing in Exodus 40:12 to our lives?

5. In what ways does Exodus 40:12 connect to the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice?

6. How does the consecration process in Exodus 40:12 relate to spiritual preparation for service?

7. What is the significance of washing Aaron and his sons in Exodus 40:12?

8. How does Exodus 40:12 relate to the concept of priestly consecration?

9. Why is the ritual washing important in the context of Exodus 40:12?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 40?

11. What does "ablution" mean in the Bible?

12. How can Leviticus 8's insistence on a seven-day ordination period be reconciled with other references in the Old Testament that imply different consecration timelines?

13. What does 'ablution' mean in the Bible?

14. Exodus 40:2 - How could Moses effectively assemble such a sophisticated structure in the desert with limited resources?
What Does Exodus 40:12 Mean
Then bring Aaron and his sons

- “Then bring Aaron and his sons” (Exodus 40:12) signals God’s direct, chronological instruction. Nothing is left to Moses’ discretion; the priesthood begins exactly when and how the LORD commands (Exodus 28:1; Leviticus 8:2–3).

- The family line of Aaron is singled out, confirming God’s covenant choice of a hereditary priesthood (Numbers 3:3).

- This call is public and accountable, underscoring that ministry is never self-appointed but divinely assigned (Hebrews 5:4).


to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting

- The priests are brought “to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,” the very threshold of God’s earthly dwelling (Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 8:3-4).

- The entrance serves as a place of revelation and fellowship (Exodus 33:8-10). Approaching it reminds Israel that access to God requires His appointed mediator.

- Standing at the doorway, Aaron and his sons act as representatives of the nation, foreshadowing the ultimate Mediator who opens a “new and living way” (Hebrews 10:19-20).

- Their location also anchors the event in real space and time; this is not symbolism only—it happened in a literal courtyard at a literal tent.


and wash them with water

- Moses “wash[es] them with water” in obedience (Leviticus 8:6; Numbers 8:7). The act is physical, removing dust and uncleanness, while also pointing to inner purification (Psalm 24:3-4).

- Water imagery runs throughout Scripture: the laver in the courtyard (Exodus 30:18-21), the red heifer rite (Numbers 19:17-19), and later, baptism (Matthew 3:13-17).

- The washing anticipates Christ, who “gave Himself up…to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Ephesians 5:25-26) and who pours out “the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

- Yet in Exodus 40 it is first a literal bath, affirming that holiness begins with concrete obedience before it illustrates deeper truth (Hebrews 10:22).


summary

Exodus 40:12 records a simple, three-fold command that grounds priestly ministry in God’s timing, God’s place, and God’s cleansing. Aaron and his sons are chosen, brought to the Tent’s doorway, and washed—literally prepared to serve. The action sets a foundational pattern: God invites people, provides access, and supplies cleansing, all of which ultimately point to Jesus, our great High Priest, who perfectly fulfills each step for everyone who trusts in Him.

(12) Thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons . . . and wash them.--See Note on Exodus 29:4. Ablution, investiture, and anointing had all of them been previously appointed to be parts of the consecration service (Exodus 29:4-5; Exodus 29:7, &c.).

Verse 12. - Unto the door of the tabernacle - i.e., to the place where the laver was situated (ver. 7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then bring
וְהִקְרַבְתָּ֤ (wə·hiq·raḇ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

Aaron
אַהֲרֹן֙ (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

and his sons
בָּנָ֔יו (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the entrance
פֶּ֖תַח (pe·ṯaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

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

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

and wash
וְרָחַצְתָּ֥ (wə·rā·ḥaṣ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7364: To wash, wash off or away, bathe

them with water.
בַּמָּֽיִם׃ (bam·mā·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen


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OT Law: Exodus 40:12 You shall bring Aaron and his sons (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 40:11
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