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 4:6KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 4:6 mean?
2 Chronicles 4:6 describes how Solomon made ten bronze basins (called "lavers") for the temple, placing five on each side. These were used to wash the items used in burnt offerings, while a larger basin called "the sea" was reserved for the priests to wash themselves.
This verse is part of the account where Solomon is building and furnishing the temple in Jerusalem. The writer is explaining the practical arrangements for ritual washing: the smaller lavers were for cleaning the sacrifices and their utensils, but the much larger "sea" was only for the priests' own purification. This detail shows how carefully the temple's rituals and spaces were organized.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 4:6
- לָבָרִים (lavers, H3595): This word refers to large basins or bowls used for washing. Their presence highlights the importance of ritual cleanliness in temple worship.
- יָם (sea, H3220): Here, "sea" refers to a massive basin, much larger than the lavers. Its special use for the priests sets it apart from the other washing vessels.
- כֹּהֲנִים (priests, H3548): This word clarifies that only the priests used the "sea," emphasizing their distinct role and need for ritual purity.
Why 2 Chronicles 4:6 matters
- This verse clarifies that not all washing in the temple was the same; there were separate places and purposes for washing sacrifices and for the priests' personal purification.
- The arrangement of the lavers—five on each side—shows the order and symmetry valued in the temple's design, reflecting the care taken in worship practices.
- By describing these specific furnishings, the verse connects to the larger theme of holiness and preparation in the temple, showing how every detail was meant to support proper worship.