Exodus 30:17 Study Bible: The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

◄ Exodus 30:17 ►

And the LORD said to Moses,

Then
The word "Then" serves as a temporal marker, indicating a continuation of the narrative and a sequence of divine instructions. In the Hebrew text, this is often a simple conjunction that connects the flow of God's directives to Moses. It suggests that what follows is part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan. This continuity emphasizes the orderly and purposeful nature of God's communication with His chosen leader, Moses.

the LORD
The term "the LORD" is a translation of the Hebrew name Yahweh, the covenant name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. In the context of Exodus, it underscores God's authority and His intimate relationship with Israel. Yahweh is not a distant deity but one who is actively involved in the lives of His people, guiding and instructing them.

said
The verb "said" indicates direct communication from God to Moses. In the Hebrew, this is often rendered as "amar," which conveys not just speaking but authoritative declaration. This highlights the importance of the message that follows, as it is not merely a suggestion but a command from the Almighty. It reflects the biblical theme of God as a speaking God, who reveals His will and purposes to humanity.

to Moses
Moses is the central human figure in the book of Exodus, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. His name, meaning "drawn out" in Hebrew, is symbolic of his role in drawing the people out of slavery. The phrase "to Moses" emphasizes the personal nature of God's communication. Moses serves as a mediator between God and the people, a role that foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Christ. This direct address to Moses highlights his unique position and responsibility in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who provides instructions for worship and holiness.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites, where God’s instructions are to be implemented.

Teaching Points

Divine Instruction
God’s communication with Moses underscores the importance of divine guidance in worship and daily life. We should seek God’s direction through prayer and Scripture.

Holiness and Purity
The instructions for the bronze basin emphasize the need for purity when approaching God. In our lives, we should strive for spiritual cleanliness through repentance and sanctification.

Preparation for Service
Just as the priests prepared themselves before serving, we must prepare our hearts and minds for service to God and others.

Symbolism of Water
Water is a symbol of cleansing and renewal. In our spiritual journey, we should regularly seek renewal through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

Obedience to God’s Commands
Moses’ role in receiving and implementing God’s instructions highlights the importance of obedience. We are called to faithfully follow God’s commands in our lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the role of Moses as a mediator between God and the Israelites inform our understanding of Jesus as our mediator?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are spiritually prepared to serve God and others in our daily lives?

3. How does the concept of ritual cleansing in the Old Testament relate to the New Testament teachings on spiritual purity?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to seek God’s guidance and instruction in our personal and communal worship?

5. How can the symbolism of water in the Bible inspire us to pursue spiritual renewal and growth?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 30:18-21
These verses provide the context for Exodus 30:17, detailing the instructions for the bronze basin, which is to be used for ceremonial washing by the priests. This highlights the importance of purity and preparation before approaching God.

Leviticus 8:6
This verse describes the washing of Aaron and his sons, connecting the ritual cleansing to the consecration of the priests.

John 13:10
Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet can be seen as a New Testament parallel, emphasizing spiritual cleansing and humility.

Sermons

The Golden Altar and the Perfume	J. Orr	Exodus 30:1-11, 34-38
The Atonement Money	J. Orr	Exodus 30:11-17
The Laver	G. Rodgers.	Exodus 30:17-21
The Laver	R. Newton, D. D.	Exodus 30:17-21
The True Washing	J. S. Exell, M. A.	Exodus 30:17-21
The Laver and the Anointing Oil	J. Orr	Exodus 30:17-34

People

Aaron, Israelites, Moses

Places

Mount Sinai

Topics

Saying, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 30:17-18

7459 tabernacle, in OT

Exodus 30:17-21

     4293   water
     6750   sin-bearer
     7426   ritual washing
     7478   washing

Library

The Altar of Incense
'Thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon.' --EXODUS xxx. 1. Ceremonies are embodied thoughts. Religious ceremonies are moulded by, and seek to express, the worshipper's conception of his God, and his own relation to Him; his aspirations and his need. Of late years scholars have been busy studying the religions of the more backward races, and explaining rude and repulsive rites by pointing to the often profound and sometimes beautiful ideas underlying them. When that process is applied to Australian …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ransom for Souls --I.
Then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul.' --EXODUS xxx. 12. This remarkable provision had a religious intention. Connect it with the tax-money which Peter found in the fish's mouth. I. Its meaning. Try to realise an Israelite's thoughts at the census. 'I am enrolled among the people and army of God: am I worthy? What am I, to serve so holy a God?' The payment was meant-- (a) To excite the sense of sin. This should be present in all approach to God, in all service; accompanying the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ransom for Souls --ii.
'The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel....'--EXODUS xxx. 15. This tax was exacted on numbering the people. It was a very small amount, about fifteen pence, so it was clearly symbolical in its significance. Notice-- I. The broad principle of equality of all souls in the sight of God. Contrast the reign of caste and class in heathendom with the democracy of Judaism and of Christianity. II. The universal sinfulness. Payment of the tax was a confession that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
Rom. viii. 15.--"Whereby we cry, Abba, Father." As there is a light of grace in bestowing such incomparably high dignities and excellent gifts on poor sinners, such as, to make them the sons of God who were the children of the devil, and heirs of a kingdom who were heirs of wrath; so there is a depth of wisdom in the Lord's allowance and manner of dispensing his love and grace in this life. For though the love be wonderful, that we should be called the sons of God; yet, as that apostle speaks, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus Pays the Tribute Money.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29) ^A Matt. XVII. 24-27. ^a 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half-shekel? [The law of Moses required from every male of twenty years and upward the payment of a tax of half a shekel for the support of the temple (Ex. xxx. 12-16; II. Chron. xxiv. 5, 6). This tax was collected annually. We are told that a dispute existed between the Pharisees and Sadducees as to whether the payment …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

How a Private Man must Begin the Morning with Piety.
As soon as ever thou awakest in the morning, keep the door of thy heart fast shut, that no earthly thought may enter, before that God come in first; and let him, before all others, have the first place there. So all evil thoughts either will not dare to come in, or shall the easier be kept out; and the heart will more savour of piety and godliness all the day after; but if thy heart be not, at thy first waking, filled with some meditations of God and his word, and dressed, like the lamp in the tabernacle …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the Way, the Forbidding of Him who could not Follow with the Disciples, and The
Now that the Lord's retreat in the utmost borders of the land, at Cæsarea Philippi, was known to the Scribes, and that He was again surrounded and followed by the multitude, there could be no further object in His retirement. Indeed, the time was coming that He should meet that for which He had been, and was still, preparing the minds of His disciples - His Decease at Jerusalem. Accordingly, we find Him once more with His disciples in Galilee - not to abide there, [3743] nor to traverse it …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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