The Bronze Basin
Exodus 30:17-21
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Exo.30.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Exod.25.1 (verbal): Identical introductory formula 'וַיִּדַּבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵאמֹר' introducing God's instructions to Moses (here about the offerings for the Tabernacle).
- Lev.1.1 (verbal): Same formula with slight extension 'וַיִּדַּבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶל־אַהֲרֹן לֵאמֹר', introducing sacrificial legislation—parallel in phrasing and legal function.
- Num.1.1 (structural): 'וַיְהִי דְּבַר־יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה בְּמִדְבַּר סִינַי…' — another occurrence of divine speech to Moses that structurally frames a new set of commands (here the census and organization).
- Exod.3.14 (allusion): Though worded 'וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־מֹשֶׁה', it parallels the motif of direct divine address to Moses that introduces foundational revelation (the revelation of God's name and mission commission).
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Exo.30.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כיור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וכנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לרחצה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונתת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- בין: PREP
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ונתת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- שמה: ADV
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 38:8 (verbal): Describes the making of the bronze basin (kiyor) from the mirrors of the women and its placement for washing, paralleling the construction material and function.
- Exodus 40:30-32 (structural): Reports the completed installation of the laver between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and states that Aaron and his sons washed there, echoing location and ritual use.
- Leviticus 8:6 (thematic): Narrates Moses washing Aaron and his sons with water during the priestly consecration, reflecting the priestly washing ritual associated with the laver.
- 1 Kings 7:38-39 (allusion): Describes the bronze basin and its stand (and the duties of the craftsmen) in Solomon's temple, showing the continuity of a laver used for priestly washing in later sanctuary architecture.
- 2 Chronicles 4:6 (thematic): Mentions the basin set on a base for washing in Solomon's temple (the 'sea' and lavers), paralleling the function of water-filled basins used for ritual purification.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall make a basin of bronze, and its stand of bronze, for washing; and you shall set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar; and you shall put water there.
- And you shall make a basin of bronze, and its stand of bronze, for washing; and you shall set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water there.
Exo.30.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ורחצו: VERB,qal,imperative,2,m,pl
- אהרן: NOUN,m,sg,abs,prop
- ובניו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ידיהם: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- ואת: CONJ
- רגליהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exod.30.18 (structural): Immediate context—commands the making of the bronze laver 'to wash' so that priests may wash their hands and feet; sets up the ritual described in 30:19.
- Exod.40.31-32 (verbal): Repeats the same ritual formula at the tabernacle's inauguration: Aaron and his sons 'washed their hands and their feet thereat,' echoing the language and practice of 30:19.
- Lev.8:6 (structural): Narrative fulfillment of the priestly ordination: Moses washes Aaron and his sons with water before vesting them, paralleling the ritual cleansing of 30:19.
- Lev.16:4 (thematic): Prescribes the high priest's bathing before entering the Holy Place on the Day of Atonement—same concern for ritual purification of body prior to cultic service as in 30:19.
- John 13:4-10 (thematic): Jesus washes the disciples' feet; while different in meaning and context, it echoes the practice of washing feet/hands as significant ritual/ethical cleansing tied to service and participation in sacred fellowship.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it.
- And Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it.
Exo.30.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בבאם: PREP+VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירחצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- ימתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- או: CONJ
- בגשתם: PREP+VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשרת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- להקטיר: VERB,hiph,inf
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Leviticus 16:4 (verbal): The high priest is commanded to bathe his body with water before entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement — a direct parallel in ritual washing prior to approaching God's presence.
- Leviticus 8:6 (verbal): Moses washes Aaron and his sons with water at their consecration so they may serve — similar washing rite tied to priestly service at the sanctuary.
- Numbers 8:7 (verbal): God instructs the Levites to be cleansed and to wash their garments before serving at the tent of meeting — the same requirement of washing to render service safely.
- Psalm 24:3-4 (thematic): Asks who may ascend the LORD's hill and answers 'he who has clean hands and a pure heart' — thematically echoes the necessity of purity before approaching and serving God.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water, so that they do not die; or when they approach the altar to minister, to burn a fire-offering to the LORD.
- When they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they do not die; or when they approach the altar to minister, to burn a fire-offering to the LORD.
Exo.30.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ורחצו: VERB,qal,imperative,2,m,pl
- ידיהם: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- ורגליהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+suf3mp
- ולא: CONJ
- ימתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- והיתה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- חק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ולזרעו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- לדרתם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
Parallels
- Exodus 30:19 (verbal): Immediate verbal parallel giving the same command that Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and feet before ministering.
- Exodus 40:31-32 (verbal): Narrative repetition in the tabernacle installation showing the priests washing hands and feet as part of entering the Tent of Meeting.
- Leviticus 8:6 (structural): Moses makes Aaron and his sons wash as part of their consecration ceremony—ritual washing associated with priestly ordination.
- Leviticus 16:4 (thematic): Priestly bathing required before entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement—same concern for ritual purity before sacred service.
- John 13:5-10 (thematic): Jesus washes the disciples' feet; echoes temple/ritual washing motifs (cleansing and service), though reinterpreted as humility and relational cleansing rather than priestly ritual purity.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they shall wash their hands and their feet, and they shall not die; and it shall be for them a statute forever, for him and for his seed throughout their generations.
- And they shall wash their hands and their feet, and they shall not die; and it shall be for them a statute forever, for him and for his offspring throughout their generations.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: And you shall make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing; and you shall set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it. And Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it.
When they come into the Tent of Meeting, or when they approach the altar to minister, to burn an offering by fire to the LORD, they shall wash with water, so that they do not die. And they shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they do not die; and it shall be for them a statute forever, for him and for his descendants throughout their generations.