The Meaning of Exodus 40:12 Explained

Exodus 40:12

KJV: And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

YLT: 'And thou hast brought near Aaron and his sons unto the opening of the tent of meeting, and hast bathed them with water;

Darby: And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons near, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and bathe them with water.

ASV: And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt bring  Aaron  and his sons  unto the door  of the tabernacle  of the congregation,  and wash  them with water. 

What does Exodus 40:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Exodus 40:1-16 - Directions For Erecting The Tabernacle
On the new year's day of the second year of the exodus Moses was bidden to rear up the Tabernacle, and with his own hand to place each article in its specified position. With what joy must those commands have fallen on His ears! We are reminded of the words of Robert Moffat, when he was completing the translation of the entire Bible into the language of the Botswana: "When I had finished the last verse I could hardly believe that I was in the world. My emotions found vent by my falling on my knees and thanking God for His grace and goodness in giving me strength to accomplish my task." Under similar circumstances Dr. Paton says that he pitched his bat into the air and danced round and round his printing-press. Let us build our life, piece by piece, in the same spirit-not with wood, hay and stubble, but with gold, silver and precious stones-so that at the close we may be able to say, "I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do." [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 40

1  The tabernacle is commanded to be reared, anointed, and consecrated
13  Aaron and his sons to be sanctified
16  Moses performs all things accordingly
34  A cloud covers the tabernacle

What do the individual words in Exodus 40:12 mean?

And you shall bring - Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of meeting and wash them with water
וְהִקְרַבְתָּ֤ אֶֽת־ אַהֲרֹן֙ וְאֶת־ בָּנָ֔יו אֶל־ פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וְרָחַצְתָּ֥ אֹתָ֖ם בַּמָּֽיִם

וְהִקְרַבְתָּ֤  And  you  shall  bring 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: קָרַב  
Sense: to come near, approach, enter into, draw near.
אֶֽת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אַהֲרֹן֙  Aaron 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַהֲרֹון  
Sense: brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest.
בָּנָ֔יו  his  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
פֶּ֖תַח  the  door 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פֶּתַח  
Sense: opening, doorway, entrance.
אֹ֣הֶל  of  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
מוֹעֵ֑ד  of  meeting 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹועֵד  
Sense: appointed place, appointed time, meeting.
וְרָחַצְתָּ֥  and  wash 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: רָחַץ  
Sense: to wash, wash off, wash away, bathe.
בַּמָּֽיִם  with  water 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.