The Hebrew word kîyôwr, represented by H3595, describes something round. It appears 23 times in 20 unique verses. Its meaning is diverse, encompassing objects like a washbowl, a cooking caldron or pan, a platform, or a hearth for coals.
The most frequent use of H3595 is as the laver, a sacred washbowl. It was made of brass H5178 and placed between the tabernacle and the altar H4196 Exodus 30:18. Solomon constructed ten such lavers for the temple, used for washing items for the burnt offering H5930 (1 Kings 7:38, 2 Chronicles 4:6). The word is also used for a cooking pan into which a priest's fleshhook was struck 1 Samuel 2:14. In a different context, Solomon stood upon a brasen scaffold H3595 to address the congregation of Israel 2 Chronicles 6:13. Metaphorically, it describes a hearth of fire, symbolizing the consuming power of Judah's governors Zechariah 12:6.
Several related words clarify the function and nature of the objects described by H3595:
- H7364 râchats (to lave... wash): This defines the primary purpose of the laver H3595. The lavers were explicitly made "to wash withal" Exodus 30:18 and were used by the priests H3548 for washing 2 Chronicles 4:6.
- H3627 kᵉlîy (something prepared... vessel): This word categorizes the laver as a sanctified piece of equipment for the tabernacle. The laver H3595 and its foot are listed among the holy vessels of the altar of burnt offering Exodus 35:16.
- H5178 nᵉchôsheth (copper... brass): This specifies the material used for many of these objects. The laver was made of brass Exodus 38:8, as was the scaffold Solomon built 2 Chronicles 6:13.
The applications of H3595 carry significant weight in scripture, highlighting key principles of worship and divine power.
- Ritual Cleansing: The laver was an essential instrument for purification. It was filled with water H4325 and used to wash H7364 items associated with the burnt offering H5930, and it was the vessel from which priests H3548 would wash 2 Chronicles 4:6. Its placement between the tent of congregation and the altar H4196 underscores its role in preparing for sacred duties Exodus 40:7.
- Sanctification: The laver H3595 and its foot H3653 were not merely functional; they were anointed H4886 in order to be sanctified H6942, setting them apart as holy unto the Lord (Exodus 40:11, Leviticus 8:11).
- Symbol of Power and Judgment: In prophecy, the word takes on a symbolic meaning as a hearth H3595 of fire H784 among wood H6086. This image portrays the leaders of Judah as instruments of divine power, set to consume their enemies Zechariah 12:6.
In summary, H3595 is a multifaceted term whose meaning is derived from its round shape. It can refer to a simple pan 1 Samuel 2:14, a public scaffold 2 Chronicles 6:13, a figurative hearth of judgment Zechariah 12:6, or, most prominently, the sacred laver of the tabernacle and temple. Through its various uses, kîyôwr illustrates the importance of sanctified vessels, the necessity of ritual purity in worship, and the consuming power of God's agents.
TRV