Exodus 40:11 — Word Study
WLCוּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ אֶת־ הַכִּיֹּ֖ר וְאֶת־ כַּנּ֑וֹ וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֖ אֹתֽוֹ׃
BSAAnointmâshach [to rub oil on, set apart] the basinkîyôwr [a round container, washbasin] and its standkên [base, pedestal] and consecrate themqâdash [set apart as holy, sanctify, the basin and its stand]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ | and you will anoint | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect second person masculine singular |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| הַכִּיֹּ֖ר | the laver | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| כַּנּ֑וֹ | base its | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֖ | and you will consecrate | Verb, Piel, sequential perfect second person masculine singular |
| אֹתֽוֹ׃ | the object marker it | Particle, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them. |
| KJV | And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it. |
| ASV | And thou shalt anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it. |
| YLT | and thou hast anointed the laver and its base, and sanctified it. |
| WEB | You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it. |
| BBE | And put oil on the washing-vessel and its base, and make them holy. |
Where they part company is כִּיֹּ֖ר — see How Translations Differ.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by object markers and noun phrases, clearly indicating the items involved in the actions.
4 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
verbמָשַׁח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Exodus 40:11
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Instructions for the Tabernaclegenerated
Exodus 40:11 is part of God's detailed instructions to Moses on how to set up the Tabernacle and its furnishings. This verse specifically addresses the anointing and consecration of the basin and its stand, which were essential for the rituals of purification and worship. These actions illustrate the importance of dedicating objects used in sacred contexts, ensuring they are suitable for divine service.
Cross References
The Key Word — מָשַׁח, u.ma.shach.Tagenerated
The verb מָשַׁח (mashach) means to anoint, specifically by rubbing oil on something, which signifies setting it apart for a special purpose. This word is often used in a religious context, indicating the act of consecration for holy service.
In this verse, the command to anoint emphasizes the significance of the basin and its stand in the rituals of the Tabernacle. The anointing marks these items as sacred, preparing them for their role in the worship practices of the Israelites.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs מָשַׁחְתָּ֥ (you will anoint) and קִדַּשְׁתָּ֖ (you will consecrate) govern the structure of the verse, indicating the actions to be performed. The objects of these verbs are the basin and its stand, which are directly linked through the grammatical structure.
The Hebrew word order places the verbs at the beginning, emphasizing the commands given to Moses. The use of the object markers אֵת (et) also clarifies the specific items being anointed and consecrated.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint does not provide a direct translation for this verse, but the Hebrew word מָשַׁח is significant in its context, as it denotes the act of anointing, which is a common theme in the Greek translation of the Old Testament.
The absence of a direct Greek equivalent in the Septuagint for this verse highlights the unique cultural and religious practices surrounding anointing in the Hebrew tradition.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 40:11 tells us that Moses was commanded to anoint the basin and its stand, setting them apart for holy use. This act of anointing signifies that these items are dedicated for the sacred rituals in the Tabernacle.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To anoint means to rub oil on an object or person, setting them apart for a special purpose, often in a religious context.
The basin is significant because it was used for ritual washing, symbolizing purification before approaching God.
Consecration involves setting something apart as holy, often through rituals that signify its sacredness.
This verse emphasizes the importance of dedicating objects used in worship, highlighting the holiness required in approaching God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways we can set apart our own lives for God's purposes?
- How does understanding the significance of anointing enhance our view of sacred rituals?
- In what ways can we ensure that our actions are consecrated and dedicated to God?
- How can we apply the principles of consecration in our everyday lives?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 40:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 40 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersTHE FOR THE OF THE AND THE PRIESTS.(9-15) Instructions for the consecration of the Tabernacle, its furniture and its vessels, by anointing, and for the consecration of Aaron and his sons by ablution, anointing, and investiture, were attached to those given concerning the setting up of the Tabernacle, and are here recorded, although their execution appears to have been delayed to a later date. (See Leviticus 8:1-13.) Moses perhaps found that there was not time for the completion of the ceremony on the day of the erection of the Tabernacle, and therefore deferred a part of it.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 40 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–15. Moses is instructed by Jehovah to set up the Tent of Meeting, and the Court, to arrange the sacred vessels in their places (vv. 2–8), to consecrate the whole by anointing it (vv. 9–11), to clothe the priests in their vestments, and to anoint them (vv. 12–15). Most of these instructions have been given before; now that the time has come for carrying them out, they are summarily repeated (though not all that are necessary are given here; see vv. 17 ff.).
Read Cambridge on Exodus 40 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTHE ORDER TO SET UP THE , Exodus 40:1-16. The formality of this command to erect the sanctuary involves an incidental repetition of what has already been described.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 40 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.
You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.
Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them.
You must also anoint the large basin and its pedestal, and you are to sanctify it.
Tyndale line
And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
And thou shalt anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it.
And thou shalt anoint the laver and its base, and sanctify it.
And thou shalt anoint the laver and its foot, and sanctify it.
Also thou shalt anoynt the Lauer, and his foote, and shalt sanctifie it.
Strictly literal
And thou shalt anoint the laver and its stand, and hallow it.
and thou hast anointed the laver and its base, and sanctified it.
and you have anointed the laver and its base, and sanctified it.
And thou shalt anoint the laver with its foot, and sanctify it.
You must anoint the bronze basin and its base and set it apart to me.
From the Latin
The laver with its foot: thou shalt consecrate all with the oil of unction, that they may be most holy.
Simplified
Anoint and dedicate the basin with its stand.
And put oil on the washing-vessel and its base, and make them holy.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Samaritan Pentateuch, which differs only in the spelling of כִּיֹּ֖ר (basin). The Dead Sea Scrolls show partial agreement with the Masoretic Text, indicating a similar command but with some editorial restoration.
וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֥ אֶת־ הַכִּיֹּ֖ר וְאֶת־ כַּנּ֑וֹ וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ֖ אֹתֽוֹ׃
4 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ומשׁחת את הכיור ואת כנו וקדשׁת אתו
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: כיור (basin)
[ומשחת] [את] [הכיור] ואת כנ׳ו וקדשת אות׳ו
4 words on the leather — 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Exodus 40:11
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מָשַׁח (mashach) means to smear or anoint, often with oil, for purposes of consecration or setting apart for a religious role. It can also refer to painting. The entries indicate its use in both a physical and a ceremonial context, particularly in the Old Testament.
מָשַׁח vb. smear, anoint
Qal
smear, house with colour (paint)
anoint, as consecration, solemn setting apart to an office, always by use of oil poured on the head
anoint, consecrate to religious service
Niph. be anointed
base
H4886 מָשַׁח smear, anoint .. smear, house with colour (paint)
. anoint, as consecration, solemn setting apart to an office, always by use of oil poured on the head
. anoint, consecrate to religious service
. be anointed
4886 mashach maw-shakh'
a primitive root; to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by
implication, to consecrate; also to paint:--anoint, paint.
מָשַׁח (ma.shach) — to anoint.
1) to smear, anoint, spread a liquid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to smear
1a2) to anoint (as consecration)
1a3) to anoint, consecrate
1b) (Niphal) to be anointed
Conj | V-Qal-2ms — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect second person masculine singularHc/Vqq2ms
Anoint
The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews. (1.) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex. 29:29; Lev. 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex. 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called “the anointed” (Lev. 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps. 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
כִּיֹּר (kiyowr) refers to a round object, often associated with cooking or washing, such as a pot, basin, or caldron. It can also denote a platform or stage, particularly in the context of Solomon's temple. The entries highlight its various uses, including as a fire-pot and a bronze laver, with a specific reference to 1 Kings 7:38.
כִּיֹּר, כִּיּוֹר n.m. 1 K 7:38 pot, basin
pot for cooking
fire-pot
basin of bronze for washing, laver; set on a bronze support
platform or stage of bronze (prob. round, bowl-like in shape) on which, acc. to Chr, Solomon stood and kneeled
base
H3595 כִּיֹּר, כִּיּוֹר
3595 kiyowr kee-yore'
or kiyor {kee-yore'}; from the same as 3564; properly,
something round (as excavated or bored), i.e. a chafing-dish
for coals or a caldron for cooking; hence (from similarity of
form) a washbowl; also (for the same reason) a pulpit or
platform:--hearth, laver, pan, scaffold.
see HEBREW for 03564
כִּיֹּר (kiy.yor) — basin.
1) pot, basin, laver, pan
1a) pot, caldron
1b) fire-pot, brazier
1c) basin, laver
1d) platform, stage
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
la'-ver (kiyor):
1. In the Tabernacle:
Every priest in attendance on the altar of Yahweh was required to wash his hands and his feet before entering upon his official duties (Ex 30:19). To this end a laver was ordered to be made as part of the tabernacle equipment (Ex 30:17-21; 38:8). Its composition was of brass (bronze), and it consisted of two parts, the bowl and its pedestal or foot (Ex 30:18, etc.). This first laver was a small one, and was made of the hand mirrors of the women in attendance upon the altar (Ex 38:8). Its place was between the altar and the tabernacle (Ex 40:30).
See TABERNACLE.
2. In the Temple:
Laver
(Heb. kiyor), a “basin” for boiling in, a “pan” for cooking (1 Sam. 2:14), a “fire-pan” or hearth (Zech. 12:6), the sacred wash-bowl of the tabernacle and temple (Ex. 30:18, 28; 31:9; 35:16; 38:8; 39:39; 40:7, 11, 30, etc.), a basin for the water used by the priests in their ablutions.
That which was originally used in the tabernacle was of brass (rather copper; Heb. nihsheth), made from the metal mirrors the women brought out of Egypt (Ex. 38:8). It contained water wherewith the priests washed their hands and feet when they entered the tabernacle (40:32). It stood in the court between the altar and the door of the tabernacle (30:19, 21).
In the tabernacle, a vessel of brass containing water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifice. It stood in the fore offering sacrifice. It stood in the court between the altar and the door of the tabernacle. (Exodus 30:19,21) It rested on a basis, i.e. a foot, which, was well as the laver itself, was made from the mirrors of the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle court. (Exodus 38:8) The form of the laver is not specified, but may be assumed to have been circular. Like the other vessels belonging to the tabernacle, it was, together with its "foot," consecrated with oil. (Leviticus 8:10,11) In Solomon’s temple, besides the great molten sea, there were ten lavers of brass, raised on…
A large circular vessel, cast from the polished brass mirrors contributed by the Hebrew women, and placed between the door of the tabernacle and the altar of burnt-offering, with water for the necessary sacred ablutions, Ex 30:18-21 28:8 40:7 30:1 32:35.
For the temple of Solomon, besides the vast brazen sea for the use of the priests, (see SEA,) ten lavers were made for cleansing the sacrifices, 2Ch 4:6. Each laver contained about three hundred gallons, and was supported above a highly elaborate and beautiful base, 1Ki 7:27-39. They were stationed within the court of the priests, in front of the temple, five on each side. See TEMPLE.
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
כֵּן (ken) refers to a base or pedestal, and can also mean office or place. The word encompasses meanings related to support structures, both physical and metaphorical, such as a stand or station. It is noted in various contexts, including its use as a noun for a base or estate.
כֵּן n.m. base, pedestal, office
base
H3653 כֵּן base, pedestal, office
3653 ken kane
the same as 3651, used as a noun; a stand, i.e. pedestal or
station:--base, estate, foot, office, place, well.
see HEBREW for 03651
כֵּן (ken) — stand.
1) base, stand, pedestal, office, foot, place, estate
1a) base, pedestal
1b) office, place
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word קָדַשׁ (qadash) is a verb meaning to consecrate or set apart as sacred. It encompasses various actions such as being hallowed, treated as sacred, or dedicated, and can refer to both people and things. The entries detail its use in different forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating a range of meanings from purification to separation from the unclean.
קָדַשׁ vb. denom. be set apart, consecrated
Qal
be set apart, consecrated, hallowed
be hallowed, by contact with sacred things, and so tabooed from profane use, or forfeited to sancturay
consecrated, tabooed (supr.)
Niph.
shew oneself sacred, majestic
be honored or treated as sacred
be consecrated, dedicated
Pi.
set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate
observe as holy, keep sacred
honor as sacred, hallow
consecrate by purification
Pu. consecrated, dedicated
Hiph.
set apart, consecrate
regard or treat, as sacred, hallowed
consecrate by purification
Hithp.
keep oneself apart from unclean things
of God, cause himself to be hallowed
be observed as holy
consecrate oneself by purification, of priests and Levites
base
H6942 קָדַשׁ vb. denom. be set apart, consecrated .. be set apart, consecrated, hallowed
. be hallowed, by contact with sacred things, and so tabooed from profane use, or forfeited to sancturay
. consecrated, tabooed (supr.)
. . shew oneself sacred, majestic
. be honored or treated as sacred
. be consecrated, dedicated
. . set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate
. observe as holy, keep sacred
. honor as sacred, hallow
. consecrate by purification
. consecrated, dedicated
. . set apart, consecrate
. regard or treat, as sacred, hallowed
. consecrate by purification
. . keep oneself apart from unclean things
. of God, cause himself to be hallowed
. be observed as holy
. consecrate oneself by purification, of priests and Levites
6942 qadash kaw-dash'
a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or
observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally):--appoint, bid,
consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er,
place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one,
self), X wholly.
קָדַשׁ (qa.dash) — to consecrate: consecate.
: consecate/sanctify
1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated
1a2) to be hallowed
1a3) consecrated, tabooed
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic
1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred
1b3) to be holy
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate
1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred
1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow
1c4) to consecrate
1d) (Pual)
1d1) to be consecrated
1d2) consecrated, dedicated
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to set apart, devote, consecrate
1e2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow
1e3) to consecrate
1f) (Hithpael)
1f1) to keep oneself apart or separate
1f2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God)
1f3) to be observed as holy
1f4) to consecrate oneself
קָדַשׁ (qa.dash) — to consecrate: dedicate.
: dedicate
Conj | V-Piel-2ms — Verb · Piel · sequential perfect second person masculine singularHc/Vpq2ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo/Sp3ms — Particle · suffixHTo/Sp3ms