What Does Exodus 40:7 Mean in the King James?
And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The same verb places both the laver and its water, making the space between encounter and offering a place of provision.
THE MEANING
The tent of meeting and the altar stand as distinct destinations, with water deliberately placed between them. The passage from meeting to offering includes a place of washing, and its water is already there. The space between is part of the approach, not an empty gap.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The interval between encounter and offering is empty or incidental.
THE ROOT
נָתַתָּ
natatta
GROWS FROM
נתן
n-t-n
to give, put, or place
“set” in this verse is natatta. The same root places the laver and then the water in it. Since natan also means “give,” the repeated verb lets the space between read as provision supplied.
ALSO GROWS
mattan: gift
מַתָּן
The gift branch adds the sense of something supplied to the space, alongside the concrete act of placing it.
mattanah: gift or present
מַתָּנָה
This noun from the same root echoes the water as something provided at the threshold.
בֵּין
bein
GROWS FROM
בין
b-y-n
to distinguish, discern, or understand
The verse marks the laver’s position with “between” twice: the tent and altar remain distinct, while the laver occupies their interval. The root family also carries discernment, so the space between is a marked place rather than a blur.
ALSO GROWS
binah: understanding or discernment
בִּינָה
This branch links the spatial distinction in the verse with the root’s sense of perceiving distinctions.
mevin: one who understands or discerns
מֵבִין
It carries the same root into the act of recognizing what lies between distinct things.
מִזְבֵּחַ
mizbeach
GROWS FROM
זבח
z-b-ch
to slaughter or sacrifice
The altar’s name is rooted in the act of sacrifice. That makes the laver’s position specific: water stands between the meeting place and the place of offering.
ALSO GROWS
zebach: sacrifice or sacrificial offering
זֶבַח
This noun makes explicit the offering associated with the altar.
zoveach: one who sacrifices
זֹבֵחַ
This form names the action carried out at the altar, clarifying what the laver stands between.
THE PATTERN
Approach to sacred service is marked by washing at its threshold.
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:He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.THE THREAD
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:Exodus 40:7 places water between the tent and the altar; Exodus 30:20 names washing when entering the tent and when coming near the altar. The laver is a threshold of washing between meeting and service.
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