1 Kings 7:38

KJV

Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: [and] every laver was four cubits: [and] upon every one of the ten bases one laver.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then made {H6213} he ten {H6235} lavers {H3595} of brass {H5178}: one {H259} laver {H3595} contained {H3557} forty {H705} baths {H1324}: and every {H259} laver {H3595} was four {H702} cubits {H520}: and upon every one {H259} of the ten {H6235} bases {H4350} one {H259} laver {H3595}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He made ten bronze basins; each basin's capacity was 220 gallons and had a diameter of seven feet; there was a basin for each of the ten trolleys.

Berean Standard Bible

He also made ten bronze basins, each holding forty baths and measuring four cubits across, one basin for each of the ten stands.

American Standard Version

And he made ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths; and every laver was four cubits; and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 7:38 meticulously details the construction of ten substantial bronze lavers for Solomon's Temple, specifying their considerable capacity and precise dimensions. Each laver was engineered to hold forty baths of water and measured four cubits, designed to rest securely upon one of the ten movable bases previously described. These vessels were integral to the Temple's elaborate furnishings, serving the essential purpose of providing water for the extensive purification rituals vital for priestly service and the ceremonial washing of sacrificial offerings within the sacred precinct, thereby underscoring the meticulous attention to detail and abundant provision for ceremonial purity in Israelite worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the comprehensive architectural and furnishing account of Solomon's Temple, spanning [1 Kings 6-7](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6-7 - The Construction and Furnishing of Solomon's Temple"). Following the detailed description of the Temple's main structure in [1 Kings 6](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Building the Temple"), [Chapter 7](/1_kings/7 "1 Kings 7 - Furnishing the Temple") shifts focus to the magnificent bronze work commissioned from Hiram of Tyre. The narrative progresses from grand elements like the imposing bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, and the colossal [Molten Sea](/1_kings/7-23 "1 Kings 7:23 - The Molten Sea"), to the more specific, yet equally crucial, ritual implements. Immediately preceding [1 Kings 7:38](/1_kings/7-38 "1 Kings 7:38 - The Bronze Lavers"), verses [1 Kings 7:27-37](/1_kings/7-27-37 "1 Kings 7:27-37 - The Bronze Bases") meticulously describe the ten movable bronze bases, which were specifically designed to support these very lavers. Thus, [1 Kings 7:38](/1_kings/7-38 "1 Kings 7:38 - The Bronze Lavers") completes the description of these integrated units, emphasizing their capacity and dimensions, and highlighting their essential role in the Temple's overall design for facilitating ritual purity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite worship, ritual purity was an indispensable prerequisite for approaching a holy God. The Temple, conceived as God's earthly dwelling, demanded strict adherence to ceremonial cleanliness for both the officiating priests and the sacrificial offerings. The sheer quantity (ten) and immense size of these lavers, each capable of holding forty baths of water, vividly illustrate the scale of daily sacrificial activity and priestly service. Priests were mandated to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle or approaching the altar, as commanded in [Exodus 30:18-21](/exodus/30-18-21 "Exodus 30:18-21 - The Bronze Laver and Washing"). Furthermore, the thorough washing of sacrificial animals was a critical step in the offering process. The sophisticated craftsmanship, particularly the extensive use of bronze and the intricate details described for the accompanying bases, showcases the advanced metallurgical skills available during this era and the immense resources Solomon dedicated to the Temple's construction, underscoring its unparalleled significance as the spiritual and political epicenter of the nation.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 7:38](/1_kings/7-38 "1 Kings 7:38 - The Bronze Lavers") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Kings and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **precision and detail in divine service**, demonstrating that God demands meticulousness and excellence in worship, where even functional components are crafted with utmost care and purpose. Secondly, the abundance of lavers and their substantial capacity emphasize the **abundant provision for purification**, signifying the constant and extensive need for cleansing before drawing near to a holy God. This highlights the pervasive nature of human sin and the continuous necessity of atonement and purification. Thirdly, these lavers serve as powerful **symbols of cleansing and purification**, a foundational theme woven throughout the Old Testament's sacrificial system and ritual laws, which consistently pointed forward to a more profound spiritual cleansing. Finally, the grandeur and exquisite craftsmanship of these vessels contribute to the overarching theme of **God's glory and majesty**, magnificently reflected in the opulent and sacred dwelling place prepared for Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lavers (Hebrew, _kîyôwr'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "something round," refers to large, round basins or washstands. In the Temple context, these were not merely decorative but highly functional vessels specifically designed to hold water for extensive purification rituals. They were essential for washing sacrificial animals and for the ceremonial ablutions of the priests, ensuring ritual purity before divine service and the presentation of offerings.
* **baths (Hebrew, _bath'_):** A "bath" was an ancient Hebrew liquid measure of capacity. While its precise modern equivalent varies slightly, it is generally understood to be approximately 5.8 to 6 gallons (around 22 liters). Therefore, "forty baths" indicates that each laver could hold a substantial volume of water, roughly 232 to 240 gallons (approximately 880 to 900 liters). This immense capacity underscores the practical utility and necessity of these lavers for the numerous daily sacrifices and priestly washings.
* **cubits (Hebrew, _ʼammâh'_):** An ancient unit of length, typically defined as the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. While its exact modern equivalent could vary, it is commonly estimated at about 18 inches (approximately 45 cm). Thus, "four cubits" would translate to roughly 6 feet (1.8 meters), indicating that each laver was a considerable size, suggesting their prominence and stability within the Temple courtyard.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then made he ten lavers of brass:"** This initial clause immediately specifies the quantity and material of these crucial Temple furnishings. The number "ten" signifies abundance and completeness, indicating that ample provision was made for the extensive purification needs within the sacred space. "Brass" (more accurately, bronze, an alloy of copper and tin) was a durable and valuable metal, frequently employed for sacred implements in both the Tabernacle and the Temple, symbolizing strength, endurance, and the enduring nature of divine ordinances.
* **"one laver contained forty baths:"** This detail highlights the immense capacity of each individual laver. The "forty baths" (approximately 232-240 gallons) signifies the practical necessity of holding a very large volume of water. This substantial capacity was essential for the continuous washing of sacrificial animals and the ritual cleansing of the priests, emphasizing the high demand for water in the daily, extensive Temple service.
* **"[and] every laver was four cubits:"** This specifies the physical dimensions of each laver. "Four cubits" (approximately 6 feet) indicates a significant diameter or height, suggesting that these were substantial, prominent, and impressive vessels. Their considerable size would have made them practical for their intended use and visually impactful within the Temple courtyard.
* **"[and] upon every one of the ten bases one laver."** This final clause explicitly connects the lavers directly to the previously described ten movable bronze bases ([1 Kings 7:27-37](/1_kings/7-27-37 "1 Kings 7:27-37 - The Bronze Bases")). It clarifies their integrated design and function, indicating that each laver was designed to sit securely upon its own wheeled base, allowing for mobility within the Temple courtyard to facilitate the various purification rituals efficiently and effectively.

#### Literary Devices
The description of the lavers in [1 Kings 7:38](/1_kings/7-38 "1 Kings 7:38 - The Bronze Lavers") employs several significant literary devices. Most prominently, there is **Symbolism**. The lavers, as vessels holding water for cleansing, powerfully symbolize the absolute necessity of purification before any entity or individual could approach a holy God. This physical washing prefigures the deeper spiritual cleansing required for true communion with the divine. The immense quantity (ten) and capacity (forty baths) also contribute to **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, underscoring the lavishness of God's provision for purification and the meticulousness demanded in His worship. This detailed enumeration of specific components, like the lavers, contributes to a broader literary technique of **Merism**, where individual parts are described in precise detail to convey the grandeur, completeness, and functional integrity of the entire Temple structure, emphasizing that every aspect, no matter how seemingly functional, was consecrated and integral to the sacred space.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The bronze lavers, with their immense capacity and meticulous design, serve as profound theological symbols. They underscore the absolute necessity of purification for anyone or anything that would approach a holy God. In the Old Testament economy, physical cleanliness was a non-negotiable prerequisite for ritual participation, reflecting a deeper spiritual truth: sin inherently defiles, and God is utterly pure and holy. The abundance of water provided by these ten lavers highlights the constant and extensive need for cleansing, not merely as a one-time event but as an ongoing requirement for those who serve God. This emphasis on ritual purity, though external, pointed forward to a more profound internal transformation. The lavers, like the entire sacrificial system, were a pedagogical tool, teaching Israel about the profound holiness of God and the defiling nature of sin, thereby preparing them for the ultimate and perfect cleansing that would come through a new covenant.

* [Exodus 30:18-21](/exodus/30-18-21 "Exodus 30:18-21 - The Bronze Laver and Washing")
* [Leviticus 16:4](/leviticus/16-4 "Leviticus 16:4 - Aaron's Cleansing for Atonement Day")
* [Hebrews 9:10](/hebrews/9-10 "Hebrews 9:10 - External Regulations and the New Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the physical lavers of Solomon's Temple no longer stand, the spiritual truths they embody remain profoundly relevant for believers today. The meticulous detail and abundant provision for cleansing in the Temple remind us that God still calls His people to a life of purity and holiness. We are no longer cleansed by ritualistic washing, but by the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the atoning work of Christ. This spiritual cleansing is not a license for complacency but an empowerment for diligent service and a life lived in reverence before a holy God. Just as every detail in the Temple was crafted with excellence for divine service, so too are we called to offer our lives as living sacrifices, doing all things "heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" ([Colossians 3:23](/colossians/3-23 "Colossians 3:23 - Working Heartily for the Lord")). The lavers prompt us to regularly examine our hearts, confess our sins, and embrace the ongoing process of sanctification, ensuring that our lives reflect the purity and devotion that God desires from His redeemed people. We are to continually draw near to God with clean hands and a pure heart, not through our own merit, but through the grace provided by Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I need to seek spiritual cleansing and purification through Christ today?**
* **How does the meticulous detail of the Temple's construction, including the lavers, inform my approach to diligence and excellence in my service to God and others?**
* **What does the abundance of water for cleansing in the Temple teach me about God's boundless provision for my ongoing sanctification and forgiveness?**
* **How can I more fully embrace the spiritual reality of purification through Christ in my daily walk, living out the implications of His cleansing work?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of these ten lavers?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the ten bronze lavers was to provide water for the extensive purification rituals required for priestly service and the washing of sacrificial animals within the Temple courtyard. Priests needed to wash their hands and feet before performing duties, and sacrificial animals had to be ritually cleansed before being offered. The lavers ensured a constant and abundant supply of clean water for these essential ceremonial acts, maintaining the ritual purity necessary for approaching a holy God.

**Why were there ten lavers, and why were they so large?**

Answer: The presence of ten lavers, each with a substantial capacity of forty baths (approximately 232-240 gallons), speaks to the sheer volume of sacrificial activity and priestly service in the Temple. The daily offerings, especially during major festivals, would have required significant amounts of water for washing. The large size and number ensured that there was always ample provision for cleansing, reflecting the meticulousness and abundance characteristic of God's dwelling place. Their size also made them prominent features in the Temple courtyard, underscoring the importance of purity. The mobility provided by their wheeled bases also allowed for efficient placement during the sacrificial rites, as implied in [2 Chronicles 4:6](/2_chronicles/4-6 "2 Chronicles 4:6 - Purpose of the Molten Sea and Lavers").

**How did these lavers relate to the Molten Sea, which was also a large basin for water?**

Answer: While both the ten lavers and the [Molten Sea](/1_kings/7-23 "1 Kings 7:23 - The Molten Sea") held water for purification, they served distinct primary purposes within the Temple complex. The [Molten Sea](/1_kings/7-23 "Molten Sea"), an enormous single basin, was primarily designated for the priests to wash themselves (specifically their hands and feet) before entering the Temple or ministering at the altar, as explicitly stated in [2 Chronicles 4:6](/2_chronicles/4-6 "2 Chronicles 4:6 - Purpose of the Molten Sea and Lavers"). The ten smaller (though still large) lavers, on the other hand, were specifically used for washing the sacrificial animals and their parts, as also indicated in [2 Chronicles 4:6](/2_chronicles/4-6 "2 Chronicles 4:6 - Purpose of the Molten Sea and Lavers"). Furthermore, the lavers were movable, sitting on wheeled bases, allowing them to be positioned conveniently around the altar for efficient use during the various sacrificial rites.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The bronze lavers of Solomon's Temple, essential for ritual purification, find their ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In the Old Covenant, the physical washing with water from these lavers symbolized the necessary cleansing from defilement before approaching God, serving as a constant, tangible reminder of humanity's pervasive sinfulness and God's absolute holiness. However, these rituals, as the author of Hebrews profoundly explains, were merely "a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities" ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow")). Jesus, the spotless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), is the true and living Laver. His shed blood provides not just ritual cleansing but a complete, eternal, and spiritual purification from sin, effectively cleansing our consciences from dead works to enable us to serve the living God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing of Conscience by Christ's Blood")). Through His perfect sacrifice, we receive the "washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit" ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration")), making us truly clean and enabling us to draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Drawing Near with a True Heart")). The abundance of water in the lavers foreshadowed the boundless grace and infinite cleansing power available through Christ, who "sanctifies and cleanses the church by the washing of water with the word" ([Ephesians 5:26](/ephesians/5-26 "Ephesians 5:26 - Christ Cleansing the Church")). He is the inexhaustible source of spiritual purity, making us fit to stand in the holy presence of God, not by our own merit, but by His perfect work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 38:8

And he made the laver [of] brass, and the foot of it [of] brass, of the lookingglasses of [the women] assembling, which assembled [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Exodus 40:11

And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.

Exodus 40:12

And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

2 Chronicles 4:6

He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea [was] for the priests to wash in.

2 Chronicles 4:22

And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, [of] pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy [place], and the doors of the house of the temple, [were of] gold.

Exodus 30:17

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exodus 30:21

So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, [even] to him and to his seed throughout their generations.