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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 30:17-21

Orders are here given, 1. For the making of a laver, or font, of brass, a large vessel, that would contain a good quantity of water, which was to be set near the door of the tabernacle, Exod. 30:18. The foot of brass, it is supposed, was so contrived as to receive the water, which was let into it out of the laver by spouts or cocks. They then had a laver for the priests only to wash in, but to us now there is a fountain open for Judah and Jerusalem to wash in (Zech. 13:1), an inexhaustible... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 30:20

When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water ,.... The laver standing near the door of the tabernacle, they washed at it as soon as they entered; and no man, we are told F3 Misn. Yoma, c. 3. sect. 3. , entered into the court before he washed, even though he was clean; though he had contracted no filthiness, and even though he had washed his hands and feet at home, he was obliged to do it when he went into the tabernacle, before he attempted to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 30:21

So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not ,.... By the immediate hand of God, who would so greatly resent such a neglect of his command; and by how much easier it was to perform it, by so much the more were they inexcusable, and to be treated with greater severity; and this is repeated, that they might carefully observe it, lest they perish: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed, throughout their generations ; to be observed by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:20

They shall wash with water, that they die not - This was certainly an emblematical washing; and as the hands and the feet are particularly mentioned, it must refer to the purity of their whole conduct. Their hands - all their works, their feet - all their goings, must be washed - must be holiness unto the Lord. And this washing must be repeated every time they entered into the tabernacle, or when they came near to the altar to minister. This washing was needful because the priests all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 30:21

And it shall be a statute for ever - To continue, in its literal meaning, as long as the Jewish economy lasted, and, in its spiritual meaning, to the end of time. What an important lesson does this teach the ministers of the Gospel of Christ! Each time they minister in public, whether in dispensing the Word or the Sacraments, they should take heed that they have a fresh application of the grace and spirit of Christ, to do away past transgressions or unfaithfulness, and to enable them to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:1-38

The golden altar and the perfume. The golden altar was of small dimensions, a cubit in length, a cubit in breadth, and two cubits high. It was a true altar, as shown by its square shape, and by its horns. Its place was immediately in front of the vail dividing the two portions of the sanctuary, with the innermost or' which—the holy of holies—it was regarded as having the more intimate connection ( 1 Kings 6:22 ; Hebrews 9:4 ). The command was that Aaron should burn upon it sweet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:17-34

The laver and the anointing oil. I. THE LAVER ( Exodus 30:17-22 ). This was to be made of brass (bronze), and was to be placed near the door of the tabernacle between it and the altar. It was to be used by Aaron and his sons for purposes of ablution. A new symbol of the purity required in those who serve before Jehovah. The Christian contracts daily defilements in his walk, for which also daily cleansing is required (cf. John 13:10 ; 1 John 1:7 ). II. THE ANOINTING ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:18-21

The Brazen Laver. Primarily, the brazen altar has its antitype in THE CHRISTIAN FONT . "Baptism saves us," says St. Peter ( 1 Peter 3:21 ). "Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins," said Ananias ( Acts 22:16 ). "There is one baptism for the remission of sins," said the Nicene Fathers. As the priests had to wash at the laver ere they might enter the sanctuary, so entrance into the Church, by the institution of Christ, is by baptism. To wash, of course, is by itself not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 30:20

That they die not . Compare Exodus 28:35 and Exodus 28:43 . Contempt of the simple and easy regulation to wash at the laver would imply contempt of purity itself; and so an entire hypocrisy of life and character, than which nothing could be a greater offence to God. read more

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