Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 30:20
When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:
20. that they die not ] cf. Exo 28:35, with the note.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 20. They shall wash with water, that they die not] This was certainly an emblematical washing; and as the hands and the feet are particularly mentioned, it must refer to the purity of their whole conduct. Their hands – all their works, their feet – all their goings, must be washed – must be holiness unto the Lord. And this washing must be repeated every time they entered into the tabernacle, or when they came near to the altar to minister. This washing was needful because the priests all ministered barefoot; but it was equally so because of the guilt they might have contracted, for the washing was emblematical of the putting away of sin, or what St. Paul calls the laver of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, (Tit 3:5), as the influences of the Spirit must be repeated for the purification of the soul, as frequently as any moral defilement has been contracted.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
That they die not; for though the fault might seem small, yet the command was evident and easy, and therefore the disobedience was worse, arguing presumption, rebellion, and contempt. And God is more severe in the matters of his worship than in other cases.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water,…. The laver standing near the door of the tabernacle, they washed at it as soon as they entered; and no man, we are told c, entered into the court before he washed, even though he was clean; though he had contracted no filthiness, and even though he had washed his hands and feet at home, he was obliged to do it when he went into the tabernacle, before he attempted to perform any service. This intimates to us the necessity as of pure hearts, so of pure hands, in order to compass the altar of God, to attend public worship, and particularly prayer, in which holy hands should be lifted up, 1Ti 2:8:
that they die not: sin exposes to death, eternal death; that is the wages of it, and it is only the blood of Christ, and being washed in that, that can secure from it:
or when they come near to the altar to minister; to the altar of burnt offering to minister there, by laying on the wood and the pieces in order, and burning them on it, as follows:
to burn offering made by fire to the Lord; no man was fit for this service, or might be admitted to it, until he was washed; and it was usual among other nations to wash before they entered on religious service d; even in the East Indies, the priests do not sacrifice to their idols before they wash in water that is about the temple e; which seems to be a satanical imitation of this practice among the Jews.
c Misn. Yoma, c. 3. sect. 3. d Vid. Outram de Sacrificiis, l. 1. c. 6. sect. 14. e Vartoman. Navigat. l. 5. c. 23.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(20) That they die not.Comp. Exo. 28:35; Exo. 28:43. It is not altogether easy to see why the death-penalty was threatened against neglect of certain ceremonial observances, and not of others. Ablution, however, was so easy, and probably so long-established a practice, that to omit it would imply intentional disrespect towards God.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 30:20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:
Ver. 20. Wash with water. ] “Wash their hands in innocency,” before they “compass God’s altar.” Psa 26:6 Heb 10:22 Isa 52:11
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
burn offering made by fire. Hebrew to burn as incense. See App-43.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
die not: Exo 12:15, Lev 10:1-3, Lev 16:1, Lev 16:2, 1Sa 6:19, 1Ch 13:10, Psa 89:7, Act 5:5, Act 5:10, Heb 12:28, Heb 12:29
Reciprocal: Exo 40:32 – as the Lord Lev 16:4 – therefore Psa 26:6 – wash