The Meaning of Exodus 40:7 Explained

Exodus 40:7

KJV: And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.

YLT: and hast put the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and hast put water there.

Darby: And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water in it.

ASV: And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water therein.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thou shalt set  the laver  between the tent  of the congregation  and the altar,  and shalt put  water  therein. 

What does Exodus 40:7 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 40:7 mean?

And you shall set - the laver between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar and put in it water
וְנָֽתַתָּ֙ אֶת־ הַכִּיֹּ֔ר בֵּֽין־ אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵ֖ד וּבֵ֣ין הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וְנָתַתָּ֥ שָׁ֖ם מָֽיִם

וְנָֽתַתָּ֙  And  you  shall  set 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַכִּיֹּ֔ר  the  laver 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כִּיּׄור  
Sense: pot, basin, laver, pan.
בֵּֽין־  between 
Parse: Preposition
Root: בַּיִן 
Sense: between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between.
אֹ֥הֶל  the  tabernacle 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֹהֶל  
Sense: tent.
מוֹעֵ֖ד  of  meeting 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֹועֵד  
Sense: appointed place, appointed time, meeting.
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ  the  altar 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִזְבֵּחַ  
Sense: altar.
וְנָתַתָּ֥  and  put 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
שָׁ֖ם  in  it 
Parse: Adverb
Root: שָׁם  
Sense: there, thither.
מָֽיִם  water 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.