The Basin and its Stand, also known as the Bronze Laver, is a significant element in the tabernacle and later the temple worship as described in the Old Testament. This sacred object was used by the priests for ceremonial washing, symbolizing purification and preparation for service to the Lord.

Biblical Description and Construction

The instructions for the construction of the Basin and its Stand are found in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. It was to be placed between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and filled with water. The purpose of the basin was for Aaron and his sons to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tent of Meeting or approaching the altar to minister, ensuring they did not die due to impurity. This is detailed in Exodus 30:17-21 :

"The LORD also said to Moses, 'You are to make a bronze basin with a stand for washing. Place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it. Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister by burning an offering made by fire to the LORD, they must wash with water, so that they will not die. Thus they are to wash their hands and feet, so that they will not die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.'"

The Basin was crafted from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, as noted in Exodus 38:8 : "Next, he made the bronze basin and its stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting."

Symbolism and Function

The Basin and its Stand served a dual purpose: practical and symbolic. Practically, it provided a means for the priests to cleanse themselves, adhering to the ritual purity required by the Law. Symbolically, the act of washing represented spiritual cleansing and the necessity of purity before approaching a holy God. This ritual underscored the holiness of God and the need for His servants to be clean, both physically and spiritually, before performing their duties.

The requirement for washing highlights the broader biblical theme of purification and sanctification. The physical act of washing in the basin prefigures the spiritual cleansing that is fulfilled in the New Testament through the blood of Christ, as believers are called to be holy and pure in their service to God.

Theological Significance

The Basin and its Stand emphasize the importance of holiness and the need for purification in the presence of God. It serves as a reminder of the separation between the holy and the profane, and the necessity for God's people to be consecrated. The washing ritual points forward to the ultimate purification through Jesus Christ, who cleanses believers from sin and enables them to serve God with a pure heart.

In the broader context of Scripture, the Basin and its Stand illustrate the continuity of God's requirement for holiness and the provision He makes for His people to approach Him. The physical cleansing of the priests foreshadows the spiritual cleansing available to all believers, underscoring the consistent message of redemption and sanctification throughout the Bible.