Exodus 30:17

Study note

Setting — The LORD addresses Moses immediately after commanding the collection of the atonement money for the Tent of Meeting. This directive precedes the instructions for constructing the bronze basin for washing.

The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יְדַבֵּ֥ר (va/y.da.Ber) translates literally as "and he spoke," introducing divine communication. The phrase לֵּ/אמֹֽר\׃ (le./Mor) means "to saying," marking the transition to the specific command that follows.

The thread — This formulaic divine speech introduction appears throughout Exodus, such as in Exodus 25:1 and Exodus 31:1. It establishes a pattern of God giving direct instructions to Moses for the construction and regulation of the Tabernacle.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that the subsequent command about the bronze basin carries direct divine authority. It demands attentive obedience to the specific ritual instructions that immediately follow.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.