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 Exodus 30:28 ; 31:9 ; 35:16 ; 38:8 ; 39:39 ; Exodus 40:7 Exodus 40:11 Exodus 40:30 , 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 ( Exodus 30:19 Exodus 30:21 ).

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 Chr 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.