Laver: (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
(Exodus 40:32) It
stood in the court between the altar and the door of the tabernacle
(Exodus 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.
