Laver @ (Heb. kiyor), a "basin" for boiling in, a "pan" for cooking ( 1Samuel:2:14), a "fire-pan" or hearth Zechariah:12:6), the sacred wash-bowl of the tabernacle and temple Exodus:30:18Exodus:30:28Exodus:31:9Exodus: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 ( 2Chronicals:4:6). The position and uses of these are described kjvKings:7:23-39; 2Chronicals:4:6. The "molten sea" was made of copper, taken from Tibhath and Chun, cities of Hadarezer, king of Zobah ( 1Chronicles:18:8; kjvKings:7:23-26). No lavers are mentioned in the second temple.
