Laver(brazen sea, molten sea)
Summary
A bronze basin used for ceremonial washing by the priests in the tabernacle and temple, symbolizing the cleansing necessary for approaching God in worship.
☩The Tabernacle Laver
The original laver was fabricated at divine command from bronze (copper), using the metal mirrors which the women brought from Egypt (Exodus 38:8). Its exact size and shape are not specified, though it is thought to have been circular. The laver stood in the court between the altar and the door of the tabernacle, according to Jewish tradition slightly to the south. It rested on a 'foot' or base, also made from the same mirrors, which may have served as a lower basin to catch water flowing from the laver. The priests washed their hands and feet whenever they entered the tabernacle or approached the altar, on pain of death if they neglected this requirement (Exodus 30:19-21).
☩Solomon's Temple Arrangements
In Solomon's temple, the increased number of priests and sacrifices necessitated expanded facilities. Ten lavers of bronze, each containing forty baths of water (about 320 gallons), were constructed and placed on elaborate wheeled bases that could be moved about the court—five on the north and five on the south side. These lavers were used specifically for washing the portions of burnt offerings. The intricate bases were decorated with lions, oxen, cherubim, and festoons of flowers (1 Kings 7:27-37). For priestly ablutions, Solomon constructed the great 'molten sea,' a massive bronze basin ten cubits in diameter resting on twelve bronze oxen, capable of holding 2,000 baths of water.
☩Later History and Symbolism
King Ahaz mutilated the lavers by cutting off the decorative borders of their bases and removing the lavers themselves (2 Kings 16:17). Later, the Chaldeans under Nebuzaradan broke up the remaining bronze and carried it to Babylon (2 Kings 25:13, 16). In the New Testament, the Greek word loutron ('laver' or 'washing') appears in passages describing spiritual cleansing: Christ sanctifies the church 'by the washing of water with the word' (Ephesians 5:26) and saves us 'through the washing of regeneration' (Titus 3:5). The feet-washing Jesus performed for His disciples (John 13:10) embodies the same principle—the regenerate person needs only cleansing from daily defilements.
Related Verses26 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Laver," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Laver," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Laver," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).