Bible Dictionaries
Laver

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Heb. kiyor), a "basin" for boiling in, a "pan" for cooking (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; Heb. nihsheth), made from the metal mirrors the women brought out of Egypt (Exodus 38:8 ). It contained water wherewith 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.