The Basin and Stand, also known as the Bronze Laver, is a significant element in the worship practices of ancient Israel, particularly in the context of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This sacred object was used for ceremonial washing, symbolizing purification and preparation for service to God.

Biblical Description and Construction

The instructions for the construction of the Basin and Stand are found in the Book of Exodus. According to Exodus 30:17-21 , the LORD 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 it was to be filled with water. Aaron and his sons were to wash their hands and feet with water from it whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar to minister, so that they would not die. This ritual washing was a perpetual statute for Aaron and his descendants throughout their generations.

The Basin and Stand were crafted from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, as described in Exodus 38:8 . This detail highlights the communal contribution to the construction of the Tabernacle and the importance of the laver in the religious life of Israel.

Symbolism and Function

The Basin and Stand served a dual purpose: practical and symbolic. Practically, it provided a means for the priests to cleanse themselves before performing their sacred duties, ensuring that they approached God in a state of ritual purity. Symbolically, the act of washing represented the need for spiritual cleansing and holiness before entering the presence of the LORD.

The requirement for the priests to wash their hands and feet underscores the importance of purity and sanctification in the service of God. This ritual act was a constant reminder of the holiness required of those who ministered before the LORD and the need for continual cleansing from sin.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the Basin and Stand prefigure the New Testament concept of spiritual cleansing through Christ. Just as the priests needed to wash before serving, believers are called to be cleansed from sin through the blood of Jesus. In John 13:10 , Jesus tells Peter, "The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean." This echoes the ritual washing of the priests and points to the complete cleansing available through Christ.

Furthermore, the Basin and Stand highlight the necessity of preparation and sanctification in worship. The emphasis on washing before entering the presence of God serves as a reminder of the reverence and purity required in approaching the divine.

Historical Context and Later Developments

In the Solomonic Temple, the Basin and Stand were replaced by the "Sea of cast metal," a much larger basin supported by twelve oxen, as described in 1 Kings 7:23-26 . This development reflects the expansion and increased grandeur of the Temple worship under Solomon's reign.

Throughout Israel's history, the Basin and Stand remained a vital component of the sacrificial system, emphasizing the ongoing need for purification and holiness. The destruction of the Temple and the cessation of the sacrificial system in 70 AD marked the end of the physical use of the Basin and Stand, but its spiritual lessons continue to resonate in Christian theology and practice.