Exodus 30:21

Thus they are to wash their hands and feet so that they will not die; this shall be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God instructs Moses to establish a permanent washing requirement for Aaron and his descendants before they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar.

The words — חָק עוֹלָם (chok olam) translates literally as a permanent decree or perpetual statute, anchoring the physical act of washing to an unending legal obligation.

The thread — This ongoing priestly protocol aligns with the perpetual garment requirement in Exodus 28:43 and the continuous lamp-tending mandate in Exodus 27:21.

Why it lands — The text commands priests to wash their hands and feet before ministering to avoid death, making ritual preparation a strict prerequisite for approaching the altar.

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.

The Hebrew words

וְרָחֲצ֛וּve./ra.cha.Tzuand/ they will wash יְדֵיהֶ֥םye.dei./Hemhands/ their וְרַגְלֵיהֶ֖םve./rag.lei./Hemand/ feet/ their וְלֹ֣אve./Lo'and/ not יָמֻ֑תוּya.Mu.tuthey will die וְהָיְתָ֨הve./ha.ye.Tahand/ it will beלָהֶ֧םla./Hemfor <the>/ themחָק־chok-a decree of עוֹלָ֛םo.Lamperpetuityל֥וֹl/ofor/ himוּלְזַרְע֖וֹu./le./zar.'/Oand/ for/ offspring/ his לְדֹרֹתָֽם׃ פle./do.ro.Ta/mto/ generations/ their

King James Version

So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

Cross-references

Exodus 28:43 Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants.
Exodus 27:21 In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.