The Laver of Brass, also known as the Brazen Sea, was a significant fixture in the Temple of Solomon, serving as a large basin for ceremonial washing by the priests. This sacred object is detailed in the Old Testament, primarily in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Biblical Description and Construction

The Brazen Sea was constructed under the reign of King Solomon as part of the furnishings for the First Temple in Jerusalem. According to 1 Kings 7:23-26 , the Sea was made of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from brim to brim, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference. It was set upon twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east, with the Sea resting upon them and their hindquarters inward.

The thickness of the Sea was a handbreadth, and its brim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, resembling a lily blossom. The Sea had a capacity of two thousand baths, a substantial volume indicating its importance for ritual purification.

Symbolism and Function

The Brazen Sea symbolized purity and the need for cleansing before approaching God. It was used by the priests for washing their hands and feet before performing their duties in the Temple, as prescribed in Exodus 30:18-21. This act of washing was a physical representation of spiritual purification, emphasizing the holiness required to serve in the presence of the Lord.

The twelve oxen supporting the Sea may symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating that the provision for cleansing was available to the entire nation. The orientation of the oxen, facing outward in all cardinal directions, suggests the universal scope of God's covenant with Israel.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the Brazen Sea underscores the importance of holiness and purity in worship. It serves as a reminder of the need for cleansing from sin, a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures. The laver's presence in the Temple highlights the necessity of preparation and sanctification before entering into God's presence.

In the New Testament, the concept of washing and purification finds its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The laver can be seen as a foreshadowing of the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice, which purifies believers and grants them access to the Father.

Historical Context

The construction of the Brazen Sea during Solomon's reign marks a period of great wealth and artistic achievement in Israel's history. The use of bronze, a valuable material, reflects the opulence and grandeur of the Solomonic Temple. The detailed craftsmanship and the sheer size of the Sea demonstrate the importance placed on worship and the centrality of the Temple in Israelite society.

Later Developments

The fate of the Brazen Sea after the destruction of the First Temple is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text. However, it is likely that it was destroyed or taken as spoils by the Babylonians during the conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC, as was the case with many other Temple artifacts.

In summary, the Laver of Brass, or Brazen Sea, was a vital component of the Temple's ritual apparatus, symbolizing the need for purity and preparation in worship. Its construction and use reflect the theological and cultural values of ancient Israel, pointing forward to the ultimate purification offered through Christ.2 Kings 25:13
And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brazen sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 52:17
Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brazen sea that was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans broke, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Building of this Temple
... lay under the hollow part of the laver, resting upon ... He also made ten large round
brass vessels, which were ... upon the ten bases that were called Mechonoth; and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 of the building.htm

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... make that goodly structure which is called "the temple ... for our prayers and praises,
the great laver in which ... the gold, and the silver, and the brass, all would ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

Concerning the Tabernacle which Moses Built in the Wilderness for ...
... Within these gates was the brazen laver for purification, having a ... gold, that stood
on bases of brass, in number ... Now the whole temple was called The Holy Place ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning the tabernacle.htm

Book iv. --Of Marcion's Antitheses.
... Heavy with broad brass, did an altar stand; ... Traditionally has interpreted. The inner
temple of the people called. ... Means that the laver's gifts, with Spirit fused. ...
/.../book iv of marcions antitheses.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... Thou shalt make an ark, saith God, 'and thou shalt make a mercy-seat': the ark shall
be called the ark of the ... I read that the laver of brass and the foot of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Scriptural Types.
... while the curtain of goats' hair is called the tent. ... and all the pillars of the court,
were of brass. ... the tabernacle stood the brazen altar with its laver. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... a thousand thousand talents of silver; brass, and iron ... inner court is that which
is called 'the court ... in the outward court, stood the great brazen altar, which ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

A Discourse
... basis must be cut off, and the laver removed from ... warlike furniture, so 'with a target
of brass between his ... Bibles, that which in one place is called a target ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... a work against fatalism or, as it is called, Mathesis, and ... of a ship far off upon
the sea coming towards ... if he wished them to be inserted in brazen letters on ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Memoir of John Bunyan
... nor to plant a tree in the sea, for Bedfordshire is ... alarmed lest he had not been
effectually called to inherit ... Lord, break these gates of brass, and cut these ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

What was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.org

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Laver: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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