Exodus 40:31-32 Meaning: Moses Washed with Aaron and His Sons
31Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet there.
32When they went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came near to the altar, they washed, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
31And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
32When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the Lord commanded Moses.
31And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat;
32when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as Jehovah commanded Moses.
31and Moses and Aaron and his sons have washed their hands and their feet at the same;
32in their going in unto the tent of meeting, and in their drawing near unto the altar, they wash, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.
31And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet out of it:
32when they went into the tent of meeting, and when they drew near to the altar, they washed; as Jehovah had commanded Moses.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Moses, not yet a priest, wash at the laver?
Context
Moses had just finished setting up the tabernacle, following every detail God had commanded. He placed the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, then filled it with water. With Aaron and Aaron's sons, he washed his hands and feet at that laver. This was not a one-time event; it was a pattern for every time they entered the tent or approached the altar. Moses, though not a priest by lineage, functioned as priest during this consecration. The passage emphasizes that everything done was exactly as Yahweh had commanded Moses. The work was complete, and God’s glory would soon fill the tabernacle.
Key Words
The Hebrew verb for 'washed' here is rachats, which implies bathing or washing oneself, not a quick rinse but a deliberate act of cleansing. The hands (yad) and feet (regel) were the parts most exposed to dust and impurity. This washing was required before entering the tent of meeting (bo' el ohel mo'ed) or approaching the altar (qarav el mizbeach). The verbs for 'went' and 'drew near' show that every approach to God’s presence demanded preparation. The command had been given in Exodus 30; here it is fulfilled. This is not about moral perfection, but about honoring God by following His instructions for access to His presence. Even Moses, the great leader, submitted to this command.
How Christians Read This Verse
The Anglican Cambridge Bible notes that Moses is included because he acted as priest at this time. The Baptist commentator Gill points out that this washing was for all priests before every service. Reformed writers like Matthew Henry emphasize the repeated phrase 'as the Lord commanded Moses' as a sign of precise obedience. Across traditions, Christians see in this laver a picture of the cleansing needed before approaching God, a need met in Christ and expressed in baptism and confession. All agree that God prescribes the way to come near, and even the greatest leader must follow it.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume Moses washed because he was a priest. In fact, Moses washed because God commanded it, and he was acting as priest temporarily. The priesthood itself belonged to Aaron and his sons. The mistake is to think that Moses' action here makes him a priest. Instead, it shows that even a leader must obey God’s commands about approaching Him.
Living This Out
This week, before you step into worship or a time of prayer, consider what preparation God might be asking of you. It may not be a literal basin of water, but a quiet moment to confess, to set down a grudge, or to remember that you come to God on His terms, not yours. The hands and feet He sees: what have they touched, where have they walked? Let His command to wash remind you that He is holy and you are welcome, by His provision. Obedience in the small things makes way for His presence.
Main takeaway: Before God’s work can be done, God’s people must be cleansed, not once, but every time they draw near.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Before Moses and Aaron went into God’s special tent, they washed their hands and feet. God wanted them to be clean. When we go to church or pray, we can ask God to make our hearts clean too.
For ages 9, 12
Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed at the laver every time they entered the tent or approached the altar. This wasn’t just about being physically clean. It showed that God is holy and we need to be prepared to meet Him. Today, we don’t wash in a bronze basin, but we can ask God to cleanse us from sin through Jesus. The washing reminds us that God gives us a way to come close to Him.
Questions People Ask
Why is Moses included in the washing with Aaron and his sons?
Moses was acting as a priest temporarily because the official priestly consecration had not yet happened. This shows that even the leader must obey God’s commands about approaching Him.
What does the laver symbolize for Christians today?
The laver of washing points to the need for spiritual cleansing before approaching God. Christians see this fulfilled in baptism, confession, and the cleansing blood of Christ.
Was Moses a priest?
No, Moses was from the tribe of Levi but not the priestly line of Aaron. He washed because he was performing priestly duties temporarily, but the priesthood belonged to Aaron and his sons.
What is the difference between washing hands and feet and baptism?
The washing was a repeated ritual for the priests, while baptism is a one-time initiation into Christ. Both symbolize cleansing, but baptism points to the forgiveness of sins through Jesus.
Why did they have to wash before entering the tent?
God commanded it as a sign of respect for His holiness. It was a matter of life and death; failure to wash could mean death, showing how seriously God takes His presence.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study