LAVER

LAVER (Hebrews kiyor), a “basin” for boiling in, a “pan” for cooking V (1 Samuel 2=>14), a “fire-pan” or hearth (Zechariah 12=>6), the sacred wash-bowl of the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 30=>18, 28; 31=>9; 35=>16; 38=>8; 39=>39; 40=>7, 11, 30, etc.), a basin for the water used by the priests in their ablutions. That which was originally used in the tabernacle was of brass (rather copper; Hebrews nihsheth), made from the metal mirrors the women brought out of Egypt (Exodus 38=>8). It contained water where with Laver the priests washed their hands and feet when they entered the tabernacle (40=>32). It stood in the court between the altar and the door of the tabernacle (30=>19, 21). In the temple there were ten lavers used for the sacrifices, and the molten sea for the ablutions of the priests (2 Chronicles 4=>6). The position and uses of these are described 1 Kings 7=>23-39; 2 Chronicles 4=>6. The “molten sea” was made of copper, taken from Tibhath and Chun, cities of Hadarezer, king of Zobah (1 Chronicles 18=>8; 1 Kings 7=>23-26). No lavers are mentioned in the second temple.