Exodus 29:4

Unto the door. This probably refers to the “laver of brass” placed between the tabernacle entrance and the altar of burnt offering, where the various ablutions required by law took place (ch. 30:18-21).

Shalt wash them. Ritual washings constituted an important part of the ceremonies of most ancient religions. This was natural; physical cleansing is an appropriate analogy to moral and spiritual cleansing. The priests were required to perform these ablutions each time they entered the tabernacle or sacrificed at the altar of burnt offering (ch. 30:20), for they must be free from the stain and defilement of sin themselves before they ministered on behalf of others (see Ps. 51:7; Isa. 52:11; John 13:10, 11). In addition, the priests were to present sacrifices for specific sins (Lev. 4:3-12). The washing dealt with sin in a more general sense, and was concerned more with a priest’s official function than with his private life.