The verse begins with the usual conjunction waw. [And] Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet uses the same word for wash, which suggests pouring the water. With which comes at the end of the clause in the Hebrew and may also be translated “from it.”

When they go into the tent of meeting is literally “in their entering the ʾohel moʿed.” Here it means, as Good News Translation puts it, “before they go into the Tent.” Or when they come near the altar is literally “or in their approaching [or, stepping up to] the altar.” This refers to the outside altar for animal sacrifice. To minister means to serve, or to wait on. This is the same word used in 28.35. (See the comment there.)

To burn an offering is literally “to cause to go up in smoke.” (See 29.13.) By fire to the LORD, literally “a fire-gift to Yahweh,” is the problematic word discussed at 29.18. They shall wash with water is literally “they shall pour water.” The same expression is used in 29.4, where Moses is to “wash” Aaron and his sons in the ritual of consecration. (See the comment there.) Lest they die is literally “and they will not die.” This suggests the danger of attending to holy things without first becoming ceremonially clean. Good News Translation puts it more strongly: “then they will not be killed.” One may also say “then the holiness [or, taboo] will not kill them.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .