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Bible Dictionaries
Laver
Morrish Bible Dictionary
or This appertained to the tabernacle and the temple. It was placed between the tabernacle and the brazen altar, and the priests were required to wash their hands and their feet when they approached for any service. Exodus 30:18-21 . The priests were at first thoroughly washed, but that was a distinct thing from the continual cleansing of their hands and feet. John 13:4-14 is somewhat analogous to this, where the apostles, though declared to be clean (except Judas), needed that their feet should be washed, because of the defilements of the way, in order to have part with Christ when He went to the Father. In the tabernacle it was hands as well as feet that were to be washed, because there it was service, as well as the sphere of their walk. Exodus 40:7,11,30 .
The laver for the tabernacle was made of the brazen mirrors given by the women. Exodus 38:8; its shape and size are not specified. The laver for the temple was circular, being ten cubits in diameter, and (in round numbers) thirty in circumference, and five cubits in height. 1 Kings 7:26 states that it "contained 2000 baths," which probably refers to the quantity of water that was usually put into it; for 2 Chronicles 4:5 says "it received and held 3000 baths," which may signify its full capacity. The above dimensions do not seem to agree with this capacity; but the definite shape of the laver is not given, it may have bulged out considerably in the middle.
The laver for the temple is called 'a molten sea,' and 'a brazen sea,' and was supported on twelve oxen. It was used for the same purpose as the laver of the tabernacle; but in the temple there were also ten smaller lavers at which the sacrifices were washed. 1 Kings 7:23-43; 2 Kings 16:17; 2 Chronicles 4:6,14 .
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Morrish, George. Entry for 'Laver'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/mbd/l/laver.html. 1897.
