Laver

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

It and the altar stood in the court of the tabernacle. Consisting of the laver itself and a base, both of brass. In it the priests were bound to wash their hands and feet in approaching the altar and entering the tabernacle, on pain of death. Constructed of the polished metallic looking glasses which the devout women (assembling at the door of the tabernacle of God's meeting His people) offered, renouncing the instrument of personal vanity for the sake of the higher beauties of holiness. The word of God is at once a mirror wherein to see ourselves and God's image reflected, and the means of sanctifying or cleansing ( 2 Corinthians 3:18;  James 1:23-25;  Ephesians 5:26;  Exodus 30:18-19;  Exodus 38:8). The women made a like sacrifice of ornaments ("tablets," rather armlets) for the Lord's honour ( Exodus 35:22). On solemn occasions the priest had to bathe his whole person ( Exodus 29:4;  Leviticus 16:4). The Kiyor , "laver," was probably the reservoir; the base received and held water from it, and was the place for washing.

Thus, the water was kept pure until drawn off for use. In Solomon's temple there was one great brazen "sea" for the priests to wash in, and ten lavers on bases which could be wheeled about, for washing the animal victims for burnt offering, five on the N., five on the S. sides of the priests' courts; each contained 40 "baths" ( 1 Kings 7:27;  1 Kings 7:39;  2 Chronicles 4:5-6). Ahaz mutilated the bases; and Nebuzaradan carried away the remainder ( 2 Kings 16:17;  2 Kings 25:13). No lavers are mentioned in the second or Herod's temple. Solomon's "molten sea" was made of the copper captured from Tibhath and Chun, cities of Hadarezer king of Zobah ( 1 Chronicles 18:8), five cubits high, ten diameter, 30 circumference; one hand-breadth thick; containing 3,000 baths according to Chronicles, but 2,000 in Kings; 2,000 is probably correct, Chronicles reading is a transcriber's error.

It is thought that it bulged out below, but contracted at the mouth to the dimensions in  1 Kings 7:23-26. A double row of gourds ("knops"), 5 + 5 or 10 in each cubit, ran below the brim. The brim or lip was wrought curving outward like a lily or lotus flower. Layard describes similar vessels at Nineveh, of smaller size. The 12 oxen represent the 12 tribes of Israel the priestly nation, which cleansed itself here in the person of its priests to appear holy before the Lord. The sacrificial animals, the oxen, represent the priestly service.

The "oxen" in  2 Chronicles 4:3 instead of "gourds" or "knops" in Kings is a transcriber's error. The "holy water" in the trial of jealousy ( Numbers 5:17), and in consecrating the Levites by purifying and sprinkling, was probably from the laver ( Numbers 8:7); type of the true and efficacious sprinkling of Christ's blood on the conscience ( Hebrews 9:9-10;  Hebrews 10:22;  Titus 3:5;  Ephesians 5:26); not to be so washed entails eternal death. The hands and feet need daily cleansing, expressing those members in general most exposed to soils; but the whole body needs but once for all "bathing" (Greek Louoo ), just as once for all regeneration needs not repetition, but only the removal of partial daily "stains" (Greek Niptoo ).  John 13:1-10, "he that is bathed has no need save to wash (the parts soiled, namely,) his feet."

Morrish Bible Dictionary

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 .

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

‘Laver’ is the translation of λουτρόν in  Ephesians 5:26 Revised Version margin, where the text has ‘washing.’ The same Greek word occurs in  Titus 3:5, where the Revised Version margin again gives ‘laver.’ This rendering is at least doubtful. In the Septuagintכִּיוֹר, ‘a layer,’ is always rendered by λουτήρ, while λουτρόν is used for רַהְצָה, ‘washing,’ in  Song of Solomon 4:2;  Song of Solomon 6:6,  Sirach 31:30. The phrase διὰ λουτροῦ παλινγενεσίας, therefore, probably means ‘through a washing, or bathing, of regeneration,’ rather than ‘through a laver, or font.’ For patristic references confirming the translation ‘washing,’ see J. A. Robinson’s Ephesians , 1903, p. 206.

James Strahan.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 1 Samuel 2:14 Zechariah 12:6 Exodus 30:18,28 31:9 35:16 38:8 39:39 40:7,11,30

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.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Laver.

1. In the Tabernacle, a vessel of brass containing water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifice. It stood in the fore offering sacrifice. It stood in the court between the altar and the door of the Tabernacle.  Exodus 30:19;  Exodus 30:21. It rested on a basis, that is, a foot, which, was well as the laver itself, was made from the mirrors of the women who assembled at the door of the Tabernacle court.  Exodus 38:8. The form of the laver is not specified, but may be assumed to have been circular. Like the other vessels belonging to the Tabernacle, it was, together with its "foot," consecrated with oil.  Leviticus 8:10-11.

2. In Solomon's Temple, besides the great Molten Sea, there were ten lavers of brass, raised on bases,  1 Kings 7:27;  1 Kings 7:39, five on the north and five on the south side of the court of the priests. They were used for washing the animals to be offered in Burnt Offerings.  2 Chronicles 4:6.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Laver. 1. A circular vessel of brass, in the tabernacle containing water for the priests to wash their hands and feet, before offering sacrifice. It stood in the court between the altar and the door of the tabernacle.  Exodus 30:18-21. It rested on a basis, I.E., a foot, which, as well as the laver itself, was made from the mirrors of the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle court.  Exodus 38:8. Like the other vessels belonging to the tabernacle, it was, together with its "foot," consecrated with oil.  Leviticus 8:10;  Leviticus 11:2. In Solomon's temple, besides the great molten sea, there were ten lavers of brass, raised on bases,  1 Kings 7:27;  1 Kings 7:39, five on the north and five on the south side of the court of the priests. They were used for washing the animals to be offered in burnt offerings.  2 Chronicles 4:6.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A large circular vessel, cast from the polished brass mirrors contributed by the Hebrew women, and placed between the door of the tabernacle and the altar of burnt-offering, with water for the necessary sacred ablutions,  Exodus 30:18-21   28:8   40:7   30:1   32:35 .

For the temple of Solomon, besides the vast brazen sea for the use of the priests, (see  2 Chronicles 4:6 . Each laver contained about three hundred gallons, and was supported above a highly elaborate and beautiful base,  1 Kings 7:27-39 . They were stationed within the court of the priests, in front of the temple, five on each side. See Temple .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Exodus 38:8 Exodus 30:18 Exodus 40:30-31 Numbers 8:7 1 Kings 7:23-26 2 Chronicles 4:2-5 1 Kings 7:38-39 2 Chronicles 4:6 1 Chronicles 4:6Molten Sea

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

Between the altar and the tabernacle, a little to the south, stood a circular laver, which, together with its base, was made of the brazen ornaments which the women had presented for the use of the tabernacle, and was thence called כיור נחשת ,  Exodus 30:18;  Exodus 40:7 . The priests, when about to perform their duties, washed their hands in this laver.

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Exodus 30:18 (c) This may be used as a type of the Word of GOD. (See  Psalm 119:9,  Ephesians 5:26). No size is given for the laver, nor do we know how it was carried. We do not know the depth, the scope, nor the value of the Word of GOD. There is no rule about how GOD's Word is to be carried here and there from heart to heart. The laver is a beautiful picture of all of this.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Laver . See Tabernacle, § 4, Temple, § 6 ( d ). [Note: Hastings, J., Selbie, J. A., Lambert, J. C., & Mathews, S. (1909). Dictionary of the Bible (226 532). New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.]

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( v. i.) To flatter; to wheedle.

(2): ( v. i.) To prate; to jabber; to babble.

King James Dictionary

LA'VER, n. A vessel for washing a large basin in scripture history, a basin placed in the court of the Jewish tabernacle, where the officiating priests washed their hands and feet and the entrails of victims.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( כַּיּוֹר and כַּיּרֹ , Kiyor', prop. a Basin for boiling in, and so signifying a "pan" for cooking,  1 Samuel 2:14; or a Fire-Pan, "hearth,"  Zechariah 12:6; also a pulpit or "scaffold" of similar form for a rostrum,  2 Chronicles 6:13; elsewhere spoken of the sacred wash-bowl of the tabernacle and Temple,  Exodus 30:18;  Exodus 30:28;  Exodus 31:9;  Exodus 35:16;  Exodus 38:8;  Exodus 39:39;  Exodus 40:7;  Exodus 40:11;  Exodus 40:30;  Leviticus 8:11;  2 Kings 16:17; plur. fem.  1 Kings 7:30;  1 Kings 7:38;  1 Kings 7:40;  1 Kings 7:43. plural masc.  2 Chronicles 4:6;  2 Chronicles 4:14; Sept. Λουτήρ , Vulg. Labrum), a basin to contain the water used by the priests in their ablutions during their sacred ministrations. This was of two sorts in different periods.

1. The original one was fabricated at the diviue command ( Exodus 30:18) of brass (copper, נְחשֶׁת , see Bihr, Symbolik, 1:484, 485; Michaelis, Soc. Gutt. comment. 4; Umbreit, in the Studien und Kritiken, 1843, page 157), out of the metal mirrors which the women brought from Egypt ( Exodus 38:8). The notion held by some Jewish writers, and reproduced by Franzius, Baihr (Symb. 1:484), and others, founded on the omission of the word "women," that the brazen vessel, being polished, served as a mirror to the Levites, is untenable. (See the parallel passage,  1 Samuel 2:22, where נָשַׁים , Γυναικῶν , is inserted; Gesenius on the prep. בּ , page 172; Keil, Bibl. Arch. Part 1, 100:1, § 19; Glassius, Philippians Sacr. 1:580, ed. Dathe; Lightfoot, Descr. Templ. c. 37, 1; Jennings, Jew. Antig. page 302; Knobel, Kurtzg. Exeg. Handb. Exodus 38; Philo, Vit. Mos. 3:15; 2:156, ed. Mangey.) Its size and shape are not given, but it is thought to have been circular. It contained water wherewith the priests were to wash their hands and their feet whenever they entered the tabernacle, or came near to the altar to minister ( Exodus 40:32). It stood in the court between the altar and the door of the tabernacle, and, according to Jewish tradition, a little to the south ( Exodus 30:19;  Exodus 30:21; Reland, Ant. Hebr. Part 1, ch. 4:9; Clemens, De Labro Aeneo, 3:9; ap. Ugolini Thes. 19). It rested on a basis ( כֵּן , Ken, Sept. Βάσις ), i.e., a foot, though by some explained to be a cover (Clemens, Ibid. 100:3:5), of copper or brass, which was likewise made from the same mirrors of the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle court ( Exodus 38:8). This "foot" seems, from the distinct mention constantly made of it, to have been something more than a mere stand or support. Probably it formed a lower basin to catch the water which flowed, through taps or otherwise, from the laver. The priests could not have washed in the laver itself, as all the water would have been thereby defiled, and so would have had to be renewed for each ablution. The Orientals, in their washings, make use of a vessel with a long spout, and wash at the stream which issues from thence, the waste water being received in a basin which is placed underneath. (See Ablution).

It has therefore been suggested that they held their hands and feet under streams that flowed from the laver, and that the "foot" caught the water that fell. As no mention is made of a vessel whereat to wash the parts of the victims offered in sacrifice, it is presumed that the laver served this purpose also. The Jewish commentators state (perhaps referring, however, to the later vessels in the Temple) that any kind of water might be used for the laver, but that, the water must be changed every day. They also mention that ablution before entering the tabernacle was in no case dispensed with. A man might be perfectly clean, might be quite free from any ceremonial impurity, and might even have washed his hands and feet before he left home, but still he could by no means enter the tabernacle without previous ablution at the laver. "In the account of the offering by the woman suspected of adultery there is mention made of 'holy water' mixed with dust from the floor of the tabernacle, which the woman was to drink according to certain rites ( Numbers 5:17). Most probably this was water taken from the laver. Perhaps the same should be said of the 'water of purifying ( Numbers 8:7), which was sprinkled on the Levites on occasion of their consecration to the service of the Lord in the tabernacle." Like the other vessels belonging to the tabernacle, the laver was, together with its "foot," consecrated with oil ( Leviticus 8:10-11). No mention is found in the Ieebrew text of the mode of transporting it, but in  Numbers 4:14 a passage is added in the Sept., agreeing with the Samaritan Pent. and the Samaritan version, which prescribes the method of packing it, viz. in a purple cloth, protected by a skin covering. (See Tabernacle).

2. In the Temple of Solomon, when the number of both priests and victims had greatly increased, Ten lavers were used for the sacrifices, and the molten sea for the personal ablutions of the priests ( 2 Chronicles 4:6). These lavers are more minutely described than that of the tabernacle. These likewise were of copper ("brass"), raised on bases ( מְכֹנוֹת , from כּוּן , to "stand upright," Gesenius, Thesaur. pages 665, 670, Sept. Graecizes Μεχωνώθ , Vulg. Bases) ( 1 Kings 7:27;  1 Kings 7:39), five on the north and south sides respectively of the court of the priests. They were used for washing the animals to be offered in burntofferings ( 2 Chronicles 4:6). Josephus (A Nf. 8:3, 6) gives no distinct account of their form. Ahaz mutilated the laver, and removed it from its base ( 2 Kings 16:17). Whether Hezekiah restored the parts cut off is not stated, but in the account of the articles taken by the Chalcdeans from the Temple only the bases are mentioned ( 2 Kings 25:16;  Jeremiah 52:17; Josephus omits even these, Ant. 10:8, 5).

"The dimensions of the bases, with the lavers, as given in the Hebrew text, are four cubits in length and breadth, and three in height. The Sept. gives 4 by 4, and 6 in height. Josephus, who appears to have followed a various reading of the Sept., makes them five in length, four in width, and six in height ( 1 Kings 7:28; Thenins, ad loc.; Josephus, Aut. 8: 3, 3). There were to each four wheels of one and a half cubit in diameter, with spokes, etc., all cast in one piece. The principal parts requiring explanation may be thus enumerated:

(a) 'Borders' ( מַסְגְּרות , Sept. Συγκλείσματα , Vulgate Sculptur, probably panels. Gesenius (Thesaur. page 938) supposes these to have been ornaments like square shields, with engraved work.

(b) 'Ledges' ( שְׁלִבּים , Έξεχόμενα , juncture, from שָלִב , 'to cut in notches,' Gesenius, page 1411), joints in corners of bases or fillets covering joints.

(c) 'Additions' ( לֹיוֹת , from לָוָה , 'to twine,' Gesenius, page 746; Χῶραι , Lora, whence Thenius suggests Λῶροι or Λῶρα as the true reading), probably festoons; Lightfoot translates 'margines oblique descendentes.'

(d) 'Plates' ( סְרָנים , Προέχοντα , Axes, Gesenius, page 972; Lightfoot, Massae Aereae Tetragonae), probably axles, cast in the same piece as the wheels.

(e) 'Undersetters' ( כְּתֵפוֹת , Ὠμίαι Haeruli, Eul, Gesen. page 724), either the naves of the wheels, or a sort of handles for moving the whole machine; Lightfoot renders 'columnae fulcientes lavacrum.'

(f) 'Naves' ( חשּׂוּרים , Modioli).

(g) 'Spokes' ( חשֻּׁקַים , Radii; the two words combined in the Sept. Ἡ Πραγματεία , Gesen. page 536; Schleusner, Lex. V.T. Πραγμ ).

(h) 'Felloes' ( גִּבּים , Νῶτοι , Canthi, Gesen. page 256).

(i) 'Chapiter' ( כֹּתֶרֶת , Κεφαλίς , Summites, Gesen. page 725), perhaps the rim of the circular opening (' mouth,'  1 Kings 7:31) in the convex top.

(k) A 'round compass' ( עָגֹל סָבַיב , Gesenius, pages 935, 989; Στρόγγυλον Κύκλῳ ; Rotunditas), perhaps the convex roof of the base. To these parts Josephus adds chains, which may probably be the festoons above mentioned ( Ant. 8:3, 6).

"Thenius, with whom Keil in the main agrees, both of them differing from Ewald, in a minute examination of the whole passage, but not without some transposition, chiefly of the greater part of  1 Kings 7:31 to  1 Kings 7:35, deduces a construction of the bases and lavers, which seems fairly to reconcile the very great difficulties of the subject. Following chiefly his description, we may suppose the base to have been a quadrangular hollow frame, connected at its corners by pilasters (ledges), and moved by four wheels or high castors, one at each corner, with handles (plates) for drawing the machine. 'The sides of this frame were divided into three vertical panels or compartments (borders), ornamented with bass-reliefs of lions, oxen, and cherubim. The top of the base was convex, with a circular opening of one and a half cubit diameter. The top itself was covered with engraved cherubim, lions, and palm-trees or branches. The height of the convex top from the upper plane of the base was one and a half cubit, and the space between this top and the lower surface of the laver one and a half cubit more. The laver rested on supports (undersetters) rising from the four corners of the base. Each laver contained 40 'baths' (Gr. Χόας ), or about 300 gallons. Its dimensions, therefore, to be in proportion to seven feet (four cubits,  1 Kings 7:38) in diameter, must have been about thirty inches in depth. The great height of the whole machine was doubtless in order to bring it near the height of the altar ( 2 Chronicles 4:1; Arias Montanus, De Templi Fabrsica, in Crit. Sac. 8:626, Lightfoot, Descr. Templi . 100. 37:3, volume 1, page 646; Thenius, in Kurzg. Exeg. Handb. on 1 Kings 7, and Append. page 41; Ewald, Geschichte, 3:313; Keil, Handb. der Bibl. Arch. § 24, pages 128, 129)." Mr. Paine, in his work on Solomon's Temple (plate 12, fig. 5), gives the following conjectural view of one of these lavers, which is more compact, less likely to be overturned, and more closely analogous to the form of the great or molten sea (q.v.). Yet in neither of these figures does the "base," with its chest-like form and inconvenient height, seem at all adapted to the above purpose of catching the waste water, or of aiding in any way the ablutions, unless the laver itself were furnished with a spout, and the box below formed a tank with openings on the top for receiving the stream after it had served its cleansing purpose. The portable form was doubtless for convenience of replenishing and emptying.

3. In the second Temple there appears to have been only one laver of brass (Mishna, Middoth, 3:6), with twelve instead of two stop-cocks, and a machine for raising water and filling it (Mishna, Tamidl, 3:8; compare 1:4, Zoma, 3:10). Of its size or shape we have no information, but it was probably like those of Solomon's Temple. Josephus, in his description of Herod's Temple ( War, 5:5), scarcely alludes to this laver. See H.G. Clemens, De Labro Aeneo (Utr. 1725; also in Ugolini Thesaur. 19); Lamy, De Tabernac. Faed. 3:6, 7, page 460 sq., and table 16; Vilalpandus, On Lazek. 2, page 492; L'Empereur in Surenhusius's Mischna, 5:360; Schaacht, Animadv. Ad Iken. Antiq. page 297 sq.; Zullig, Cherubim - Wagen, page 50 sq.; Gruneisen, in the Stuttgart. Kunstbl. 1834, No. 5 sq.; A. Clants, Scription. Biblic. (Groningen, 1733), page 65; Scacchi, Myroth. Sacr. Elaeochrism. page 41; and the various commentators on the passages of Scripture, especially Rosenm Ü ller, and Hengstenberg's Pentat. 2:133. (See Temple).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

la´vêr ( כּיּור , kı̄yōr ):

Every priest in attendance on the altar of Yahweh was required to wash his hands and his feet before entering upon his official duties ( Exodus 30:19 ff). To this end a laver was ordered to be made as part of the tabernacle equipment (  Exodus 30:17-21;  Exodus 38:8 ). Its composition was of brass (bronze), and it consisted of two parts, the bowl and its pedestal or foot ( Exodus 30:18 , etc.). This first laver was a small one, and was made of the hand mirrors of the women in attendance upon the altar ( Exodus 38:8 ). Its place was between the altar and the tabernacle ( Exodus 40:30 ). See Tabernacle .

The difficulty as to the washing of parts of the sacrificial carcasses was overcome, in the temple of Solomon, by the construction of "10 lavers" and a "molten sea" ( 1 Kings 7:23-37;  2 Chronicles 4:2-6; see Temple; Sea , Molten ). We learn from  2 Chronicles 4:6 that the "sea" was for the priests to wash in - therefore took the place of the laver in the tabernacle - and the lavers were used as baths for portions of the burnt offerings. The lavers themselves were artistic works of unusual merit for that age. Like that in the tabernacle, each had its own stand or base, which was cast in a separate piece from the laver. These bases rested on wheels which allowed of the laver being moved from one part of the court to another without being turned about. Five stood on the north and five on the south side of the temple. They were ornamented with "lions, oxen, and cherubim," and on a lower level, with a series of wreaths or festoons of flowers (  1 Kings 7:27-37 ). In modern speech, the lavers may be described as so many circular open tanks for the storage of water. Each laver contained 40 baths (about 320 gals.) of water. Its height was 5 cubits, the locomotive machinery being 3 cubits in height, and the depth of the bowl or tank, judging from its capacity, about 2 cubits. The last we hear of the lavers, apart from their bases, is that the idolatrous king Ahaz cut off the border of the bases, and removed the bases from them ( 2 Kings 16:17 ). During the reign of Jehoiakim, Jeremiah foretold that the molten sea and the bases (there being then no lavers) should be carried to Babylon ( Jeremiah 27:19 ). A few years later it is recorded that the bases were broken up, and the brass of which they were made was carried away ( Jeremiah 52:17 ).

The Greek word ( λουτρόν , loutrón ) occurs twice in the New Testament. In   Ephesians 5:26 , Paul says that Christ gave Himself for the church "that he might sanctify it having cleansed it by the washing (Greek "laver") of water with the word"; and in  Titus 3:5 he says that we are saved "through the washing (Greek "laver") of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." In these passages the reference is to the constant physical purity demanded of the Jewish priests when in attendance upon the temple. Christians are "a holy priesthood," and are cleansed not by water only, but, in the former passage, "with the word" (compare   John 15:3 ); in the latter, by the "renewing of the Holy Spirit" (compare  Ezekiel 36:25;  John 3:5 ). The feet-washing mentioned by Jesus is emblematic of the same thing ( John 13:10 ).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Laver, a basin to contain the water used by the priests in their ablutions during their sacred ministrations. There was one of brass (fabricated out of the metal mirrors which the women brought from Egypt, ). It had a 'foot' or base, which, from the manner in which 'the laver and its foot' are mentioned, must have been a conspicuous feature, and was perhaps separable from the basin itself for the purpose of removal. We are not informed of the size or shape of this laver; but it appears to have been large. It stood between the altar of burnt-offerings and the door of the tabernacle . The water of this laver seems to have served the double purpose of washing the parts of the sacrifices, and the hands and feet of the priests. But in the temple of Solomon, when the number of both priests and victims had greatly increased, ten lavers were used for the sacrifices, and the molten sea for the personal ablutions of the priests . These lavers are more minutely described than that of the tabernacle. So far as can be made out from the description, they consisted of a square base or stand mounted upon rollers or wheels, and adorned with figures of palm trees, cherubim, lions, and oxen. The stand doubtless formed a hollow basin for receiving the water which fell from the laver itself, and which appears to have been drawn from it by means of cocks . Each of the lavers contained forty baths, or, according to the usual computation, about 300 English gallons.

In the second temple there appears to have been only one laver. Of its size or shape we have no information, but it was probably like those of Solomon's temple.