Exodus 30:20

KJV

When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

KJV (with Strong's)

When they go {H935} into the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, they shall wash {H7364} with water {H4325}, that they die {H4191} not; or when they come near {H5066} to the altar {H4196} to minister {H8334}, to burn offering {H6999} made by fire {H801} unto the LORD {H3068}:

Complete Jewish Bible

when they enter the tent of meeting - they are to wash with water, so that they won't die. Also when they approach the altar to minister by burning an offering for ADONAI,

Berean Standard Bible

Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made by fire to the LORD, they must wash with water so that they will not die.

American Standard Version

when they go into the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 30:20 presents a solemn divine injunction for the Israelite priests, Aaron and his sons, mandating their ritual purification at the bronze laver before engaging in any sacred service. This command, given with the dire consequence of death for non-compliance, underscores the absolute necessity of ceremonial purity and profound reverence when approaching God's holy presence, highlighting the severe implications of disregarding divine protocols for worship and access to the sacred.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the concluding and emphatic statement regarding the purpose and necessity of the bronze laver, whose construction and placement were detailed immediately prior in [Exodus 30:17-19](/exodus/30-17-19 "Exodus 30:17-19 - The Bronze Laver and its Use"). The preceding verse, [Exodus 30:19](/exodus/30-19 "Exodus 30:19 - Priests to Wash Hands and Feet"), explicitly states that Aaron and his sons "shall wash their hands and their feet there." Thus, [Exodus 30:20](/exodus/30-20 "Exodus 30:20 - The Command to Wash or Die") provides the critical rationale and severe warning ("that they die not") that undergirds this purification rite, linking the act of washing directly to the preservation of priestly life and the sanctity of their sacred service. It is an integral part of the larger instructions for the Tabernacle's construction and operation found in [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle"), where God meticulously outlines every detail to facilitate His holy presence among His people while maintaining the necessary separation due to human sinfulness. The laver, therefore, functions as a vital intermediary point, ensuring the priests' ceremonial readiness for their sacred duties.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, ritual purity was a widespread concept, but Israel's understanding was uniquely tied to the singular holiness of Yahweh. The Tabernacle was not merely a structure but the designated dwelling place of God's manifest presence, a concept that profoundly instilled reverence and a healthy fear. The priesthood, specifically the lineage of Aaron, was divinely appointed to mediate between God and the people, performing sacrifices and maintaining the covenant relationship. This sacred role demanded an exceptionally high standard of purity, both ritual and moral. The act of washing was a tangible, physical representation of spiritual cleansing, a non-negotiable prerequisite for entering the sacred space or performing sacred acts. Disregarding such divine commands was not viewed as a minor oversight but as a direct affront to God's holiness, potentially leading to immediate divine judgment, as tragically exemplified later by [Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire"), who died for offering "unauthorized fire" before the Lord. The severe warning "that they die not" underscores the life-and-death stakes involved in approaching a holy God improperly, a principle foundational to Israelite worship and law (cf. [Leviticus 10:3](/leviticus/10-3 "Leviticus 10:3 - God's Holiness Demands Reverence")).

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 30:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Holiness**, emphasizing God's absolute purity and His demand for separation from anything defiled. This verse reinforces the concept that God's presence is both glorious and dangerous for the impure. It also highlights the theme of **Mediation and Atonement**, as the priests, through their purified state, serve as mediators between a holy God and sinful humanity, facilitating the sacrificial system that provides temporary atonement. The washing at the laver is a crucial step in this mediatorial process. Furthermore, the explicit warning of death underscores the theme of **Consequences of Disobedience** and the **Necessity of Obedience** in approaching God. It teaches that access to God is not a right but a privilege granted under strict divine terms, requiring meticulous adherence to His commands, a principle seen throughout the covenant relationship established in [Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus") and [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wash (Heb. רָחַץ, _râchats'_):** This primitive root signifies to lave, or cleanse, specifically referring to the washing of the whole or a part of a thing or body. In the context of the Tabernacle, it denotes a prescribed ritual washing, not merely for physical hygiene but for ceremonial purification and consecration. This act was a deliberate preparation to render oneself ceremonially clean and fit for sacred service, removing any defilement that would make one unacceptable in God's holy presence.
* **Die (Heb. מוּת, _mûwth'_):** This primitive root means "to die" literally or figuratively, and causatively, "to kill." In Exodus 30:20, the phrase "that they die not" (וְלֹא יָמֻתוּ, _velo yamutu'_) serves as an absolute and stark warning, emphasizing the dire, divinely imposed consequences of disobedience. It highlights the gravity of the command and the absolute holiness of God, indicating that improper approach to God's presence or service was considered a profound act of irreverence, an affront to His majesty that could not be tolerated and would result in immediate divine judgment.
* **Minister (Heb. שָׁרַת, _shârath'_):** This primitive root describes the act of attending as a menial or worshipper, or figuratively, to contribute to. Here, it specifically refers to the sacred duties performed by the priests in the Tabernacle, such as offering sacrifices at the altar or entering the holy place. It conveys the idea of dedicated, prescribed service to God, which required specific preparation and adherence to divine protocol, underscoring the solemnity and particularity of priestly functions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not;":** This clause establishes the first specific context for the required washing. "The tabernacle of the congregation" (also known as the Tent of Meeting) was the sacred dwelling place of God's manifest presence. Any entry into this holy space by the priests necessitated prior purification at the laver. The explicit warning "that they die not" underscores the immediate and fatal consequence of neglecting this command, highlighting the extreme danger of approaching God's holiness without due reverence and ceremonial cleanness. This emphasizes the life-and-death stakes involved in serving a holy God.
* **"or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:":** This second clause provides an alternative, yet equally critical, context for the washing. The "altar" refers to the altar of burnt offering, where sacrifices were made to the Lord. The acts of "ministering" and "burning offering made by fire" constituted core priestly duties. Just as with entering the Tabernacle, performing these sacrificial rites required the priests to be ceremonially pure, again under the penalty of death for non-compliance. This demonstrates that all aspects of priestly service, whether entering the sacred space or performing sacred acts, demanded the same rigorous standard of purity and reverence.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 30:20 employs several potent literary devices to underscore its crucial message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, particularly the repeated emphasis on the consequence of death ("that they die not") in conjunction with the command to wash. This serves to highlight the absolute gravity and non-negotiable nature of the command, creating a powerful sense of urgency and solemnity. **Symbolism** is central, as the physical act of washing with water at the laver is a profound symbol of spiritual cleansing and purification, necessary for sinful humanity to approach a holy God. The laver itself functions as a symbolic barrier and a divinely appointed means of preparation. Furthermore, the explicit threat of death ("that they die not") functions as a form of intense **Emphasis** or even **Hyperbole**, not necessarily implying that every single instance of unwashed service would result in immediate physical death, but rather profoundly stressing the extreme seriousness and divine judgment associated with irreverence and defilement in God's holy presence. The **Parallelism** between "going into the tabernacle" and "coming near to the altar" also reinforces that both spheres of priestly activity require the same level of purification.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 30:20 profoundly illuminates the themes of divine holiness, human sinfulness, and the absolute necessity of mediation and purification to bridge the gap between the two. God's absolute and unblemished purity demands a corresponding purity from those who would approach Him, even His chosen priests. The laver, therefore, represents a vital point of cleansing, a mandatory step that acknowledges human defilement and God's unblemished nature. This command establishes a foundational principle: access to God, especially for sacred service, is not a casual right but a profound privilege granted under strict divine terms, emphasizing reverence, obedience, and the recognition of one's own inherent need for cleansing. This Old Covenant requirement powerfully foreshadows the deeper spiritual cleansing necessary for all who would draw near to God.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Psalm 24:3-4](/psalms/24-3-4 "Psalm 24:3-4 - Who May Ascend the Hill of the Lord?")
* [Isaiah 1:16](/isaiah/1-16 "Isaiah 1:16 - Wash Yourselves; Make Yourselves Clean")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the physical laver and its ritual washing are no longer required under the New Covenant, the spiritual principles embedded in Exodus 30:20 remain eternally relevant for believers today. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's unchanging holiness and the profound reverence due to Him. It calls us to a life of intentional spiritual purity and careful preparation before engaging in worship, prayer, or any form of ministry. We are to approach God not casually or presumptuously, but with humility, self-examination, and a conscious awareness of His majesty and our own continuous need for His grace. Our "washing" now comes through the atoning blood of Christ and the ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, prompting us to confess sin, live obediently, and consecrate ourselves daily for His service. This ensures our hearts and hands are spiritually clean as we draw near to Him, reflecting the seriousness with which God views our approach to His presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of the "die not" warning in Exodus 30:20 shape your understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of approaching Him?**
* **In what ways do you intentionally "wash" or prepare yourself spiritually before engaging in personal devotion, corporate worship, or ministry service today?**
* **What specific sins or attitudes might prevent you from approaching God with a "clean heart and hands," and what steps can you take to address them through Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why was ritual washing so important for the priests in the Old Testament?**

Answer: Ritual washing was crucial because it symbolized purification and consecration, making the priests ceremonially clean and fit to enter God's holy presence and perform sacred duties. The Tabernacle was the dwelling place of a holy God, and any impurity, whether moral or ceremonial, was an affront to His holiness. The washing at the laver was a divinely commanded prerequisite to prevent divine judgment (death) and maintain the sanctity of the sacred space and the sacrificial system. It underscored the absolute necessity of purity for those who mediated between God and humanity, as seen in [Exodus 30:19](/exodus/30-19 "Exodus 30:19 - Priests to Wash Hands and Feet").

**What would happen if a priest failed to wash before ministering?**

Answer: The verse explicitly states, "that they die not," indicating that failure to wash carried the penalty of death. This was not a mere disciplinary action but a direct divine judgment for irreverence and defilement in the presence of a holy God. This severe consequence highlighted the absolute seriousness of God's commands regarding access to His presence and the performance of sacred duties. It served as a constant reminder that God's holiness could not be trifled with, a principle tragically illustrated by the fate of [Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Death for Unauthorized Fire").

**Is this command for ritual washing still relevant for believers today?**

Answer: While the physical act of washing at a bronze laver is no longer required under the New Covenant, the underlying spiritual principles of holiness, reverence, and purity remain profoundly relevant. Believers are called to be a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), and our access to God is now directly through Christ. The need for cleansing from sin is still paramount, but it is accomplished through the atoning work of Jesus and the "washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit" ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration")). Therefore, the command encourages us to approach God with clean hands and a pure heart, confessing our sins ([1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession of Sins")) and living lives consecrated to Him, reflecting the spiritual reality of our new birth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 30:20, with its stern command for priestly washing, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The bronze laver, a necessary intermediary for the Old Covenant priests to avoid death and serve a holy God, foreshadows the perfect and complete cleansing provided by the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus, as our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), did not need to wash Himself continually, for He was inherently [holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ's Perfect Priesthood"). Instead, His own precious blood provides the once-for-all purification, making those who believe in Him truly clean, not just ceremonially but spiritually and eternally (cf. [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). Through His perfect sacrifice, believers are granted direct, confident access to the [throne of grace](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Access to the Throne of Grace"), having been washed and sanctified by the "washing of water by the word" ([Ephesians 5:26](/ephesians/5-26 "Ephesians 5:26 - Cleansing by the Word")) and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Thus, the shadow of the laver points to the substance of Christ, who perfectly fulfills the need for purification and enables us, as a [royal priesthood](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood"), to draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Drawing Near with Confidence")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 12:15

Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

Leviticus 16:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;

Leviticus 16:2

And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy [place] within the vail before the mercy seat, which [is] upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

Hebrews 12:28

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Hebrews 12:29

For our God [is] a consuming fire.

Psalms 89:7

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all [them that are] about him.

Leviticus 10:1

¶ And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.