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 38:8KJV
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Exodus 38:8 (KJV)

What does Exodus 38:8 mean?

Exodus 38:8 describes how the bronze basin (laver) and its stand were made from the polished bronze mirrors donated by the women who gathered at the entrance of the tabernacle. This verse highlights that the materials for the laver came specifically from these women's personal belongings.

In the context of Exodus, this verse is part of the detailed account of constructing the tabernacle and its furnishings, as directed by God. The verse notes that women who assembled at the tabernacle entrance contributed their mirrors, which were valuable items, to make the basin used for ritual washing by the priests.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 38:8

  • "lookingglasses" (מַרְאָה, mar’ah): This word refers to polished metal mirrors, not glass mirrors as we know today. These mirrors were prized personal items, so their donation was significant.
  • "assembling" / "assembled" (צָבָא, tsava’): This word can mean "to serve" or "to gather in groups for service." Here, it suggests that these women regularly gathered for some kind of service or devotion at the tabernacle entrance.
  • "laver" (כִּיּוֹר, kiyyor): This is the basin used for washing, an important item for the priests’ ritual purity before serving in the tabernacle.

Why Exodus 38:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the laver was not made from ordinary bronze, but from mirrors, which were personal and valuable, showing the dedication and sacrifice of the women.
  • The mention of women assembling at the tabernacle entrance hints at a group of women with a special role or devotion, which is not often highlighted in other parts of the tabernacle narrative.
  • This detail connects the laver to the theme of purity and self-sacrifice, as the very objects used for self-reflection (mirrors) were transformed into a tool for spiritual cleansing.

Where else these words appear

“lookingglasses” Hebrew H4759 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 46:2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
  • Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
  • Ezekiel 43:3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.

“assembling” Hebrew H6633 · used in 12 verses

  • Numbers 4:23 From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • Numbers 31:42 And of the children of Israel's half, which Moses divided from the men that warred,
  • Isaiah 29:8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

“foot” Hebrew H3653 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 40:13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
  • Exodus 35:16 The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
  • 1 Kings 7:31 And the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was a cubit: but the mouth thereof was round after the work of the base, a cubit and an half: and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.

“laver” Hebrew H3595 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 30:18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
  • Exodus 40:11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
  • 1 Kings 7:40 And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD: