Molten Sea - The Laver of The Tabernacle

The Laver of The Tabernacle

In the Priestly Code of Exodus, instead of the Molten Sea is described a bronze laver, which was to rest on a bronze foot (presumably just meaning a stand). In a later part of the Priestly Code, in the passage describing the actual creation of the Temple furniture, it is claimed that this laver and its foot were made from the mirrors of the Israelite women; Julius Wellhausen regarded this particular detail as a aggadic addition.

The text explains that this laver was to be used for the Israelite priests to wash their hands and feet when they entered the sanctuary.

The size and shape of this laver are not mentioned anywhere in the Bible, and nor are those of its stand, unlike the case for the Molten Sea. By contrast, the special golden candlestick is described by the Priestly Code, but not in the description of Solomon's temple. It might therefore be the case that the laver and the candlestick are somehow the same object.