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:

Cross-reference

In Exodus 40:32, Moses and Aaron wash hands and feet at the tabernacle, fulfilling the washing command given here.

Leviticus 10:1–3 Historical context

Leviticus 10:1-3 records the deaths of Nadab and Abihu for offering unauthorized fire, illustrating the deadly seriousness behind the washing command.

Leviticus 16:1 Historical context

Leviticus 16:1 directly references the deaths of Nadab and Abihu as the backdrop for the Day of Atonement instructions, underscoring the danger of approaching God.

Hebrews 12:28 calls believers to offer worship 'with reverence and awe,' directly echoing the attitude required by the washing command.

Hebrews 12:29 states 'our God is a consuming fire,' explaining why approaching Him carelessly leads to death — the theological basis for the command.

Leviticus 16:2 gives a further restriction: entering the Holy of Holies only once a year, on pain of death — expanding the principle of holy fear.

In Leviticus 16:4, the high priest must wash his body before Yom Kippur — a more extensive purification than the hand/foot washing here.

1 Samuel 6:19 shows God striking men for looking into the ark, reinforcing that irreverence toward holy things brings death.

1 Chronicles 13:10 records Uzzah's death for touching the ark, another example of God's holiness requiring careful approach.

Psalm 26:6 Allusion

In Psalm 26:6, the psalmist washes hands in innocence while approaching God's altar, echoing the priestly hand-washing ritual.

Acts 5:5 Parallel

Acts 5:5 records Ananias's sudden death for lying to the Holy Spirit, showing God's judgment in the new covenant context, similar to the warning in Exodus.

Acts 5:10 Parallel

Acts 5:10 documents Sapphira's death as well, continuing the theme of divine judgment for irreverence in sacred matters.