Explore the significance of the Brazen Laver in the Tabernacle of Moses.
Discover how the Brazen Laver, though last, plays a pivotal role.
The Copper Laver for Washing
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Make a laver of copper and a stand of copper for it, for washing; and place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar. Put water in it, and let Aaron and his sons wash their hands and feet [in water drawn] from it. When they enter the Tent of Meeting they shall wash with water, that they may not die’ or when they approach the altar to serve, to turn into smoke an offering by fire to the Lord, they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they may not die. It shall be a law for all time for them – for him and his offspring – throughout the ages. Exodus 30:17-21 The Contemporary Torah, JPS 2006
Least of the Holy Vessels
Of all the holy vessels associated with the Tabernacle of Moses, few details are given about the copper laver for washing commonly referred to as the brazen laver. It is the least of all the vessels. The shape and dimensions of the laver are omitted. We know it was made of copper.(1)
The parts of the laver are simple in design – a base and a bowl.
The purpose of the laver is to hold the water that the priests draw out.
The position of the laver does not appear to be significant. It is not positioned first in line as the brazen altar, and it is not exalted like the ark of the covenant with its chamber (Holy of Holies). It is stationed between the altar of burnt sacrifice and the Tabernacle (Mishkan – dwelling place)
Last to be Constructed
The copper laver for washing is mentioned last in the construction list of furnishings of the traveling sanctuary of the desert. Does this mean it was the least important vessel of the Tabernacle?
The Ark of the Covenant
Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9
The Table of Showbread (Bread of the Presence)
Exodus 25:23-30; 37:10-16
The Golden Lampstand (Menorah)
Exodus 25:31-40; 37:17-24
The Altar of Incense (Golden Altar)
Exodus 30:1-10; 37:25-29
The Bronze Altar (Altar of Burnt Offering)
Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7
The Bronze Laver (Copper Basin for Washing)
Exodus 30:17-21; 38:8
Controversial Origin of the Copper
Our biblical knowledge of the brazen laver is limited. We may not know the details regarding the shape or dimensions of the laver, but we know its position and purpose, and that it was made of copper.
Three metals were donated for the construction of the Tabernacle – gold, silver, and copper (Exodus 25:3). However, the copper for the laver was not derived from the general offerings of the people. The source of the copper laver was from the women “performing tasks” (serving or serving – הַצֹּ֣בְאֹ֔ת haṣ-ṣō-ḇə-’ōṯ) at the entrance to the Tabernacle.
He made the laver of copper and its stand of copper, from the mirrors of the women who performed tasks at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Exodus 38:8 JPS 2006
Although the women serving outside the Tabernacle were exempt from donating additional copper than the general population had already given, they insisted on contributing. This verse sparked various midrashic interpretations.
Rashi, one prominent medieval commentator elaborates on Exodus 38:8 and the women who donated their mirrors for the Tabernacle. In an attempt to explain this verse, the midrashic interpretation fills in the gaps. Initially, Moses refused the mirrors offered by the women because the mirrors were used in Egypt for questionable purposes. Moses felt such tools of vanity had no place in the construction of the holy Tent of Meeting.
God intervened and challenged Moses’ thinking, instructing him to accept the copper mirrors for humble laver that contained the water for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet (Exodus 30:19). God explained that the women used these mirrors when their families were enslaved in Egypt. The wives used the mirrors to beautify themselves to encourage their husbands to procreate, despite the harsh conditions of slavery, the people were able to survive. God told Moses the donation of copper mirrors was more precious than all the other donations. (2)
The Last Shall Be First
The copper laver was the last to be constructed but the first to be used in the service of the Tabernacle! The last vessel to be created was the most important as the priests began their daily service and departed their service that day.
Washing their feet and hands as they entered the sacred symbolically set apart or sanctified their service at the brazen altar and the Tent of Meeting. This washing marked time and space by separating the spiritual from physical pursuits outside the linen fence surrounding the Mishkan. They were no longer in the world of profane, they were standing on holy ground.
As they stood at the laver the sun would shine brightly from above, creating their reflection in the pool of waters of the laver. Just as the polished copper of the Egyptian mirrors created an intimacy between wife and husband, now the copper and water of the laver would create an intimacy between God and the priests preparing themselves for holy service.
The priests would wash their hands and feet as they prepared to leave the sanctity of holy ground and return to the world of the common. Now as they left the sacred, they were prepared to engage the world on a higher plane – the spiritual above the physical. Now prepared to serve him in the world of mundane.
Disappointed with Placement
There have been times in my life when I have questioned my station. I am not a rabbi, pastor, or minister. I have asked why God would have me spend years dreaming and building props only to store in the garage or sit in a backroom of the house. Year after year I would dream and build one prop after the other. My wife Kim was supportive and understood my struggles.
My first costume was the garments of the High Priest. The garments were simple in design and my skill set was pitiful. My son Aaron helped me build the first brazen laver on our driveway and the veil of the Holy of Holies. My neighbors thought I had lost my mind.
Prop Making for 20 Years
In the first twenty years (1984 – 2004) I had no opportunities to teach or speak on the Tabernacle. When I got my hopes up the calls were about “renting” my props but not for me to share what I learned by studying each vessel of the Tabernacle. It was disheartening, to say the least. I felt I was only “HaShem’s prop guy.”
I must be honest. I was often irritated as I listened to the misinformation and the far-fetched symbolism others offered as the “biblical mysteries” of the Tabernacle of Moses.
This is not an easy trait to conquer when you have a driven personality and like getting things done without depending upon others. I needed humbling. I needed to look in the self-reflecting waters of the brazen laver and prepare my soul to serve by teaching on the Tabernacle.
Humbled by the Waters of the Prop
When my first laver was complete, I placed it on the driveway and rushed to pour several gallons of water inside the bowl. It was not a bright day, but I saw my reflection in the cool water of the laver.
Do you know that copper cleanses or purifies water? Copper is known to leach into the water to destroy the bacteria. Similar to the ancient Hebrews. I had things in me that needed a spiritual cleansing. I had been delivered from Egypt, but there was still a whole lotta Egypt within me.
Gazing into the water it hit me. I was not spiritually prepared to illustrate the holy vessels, garments, offerings, and priest’s ministry within the Mishkan. My wife gave me feedback. Kim said, “Terry, people don’t want an analysis of the soil. They want to eat the corn.” I was so engulfed in the information about the physical details and construction of the Tabernacle, that I would often miss the spiritual aspects gleaned from my studies.
First Teaching Opportunity
The first time I spoke on the garments of the High Priest was in 2005. By then my first “pitiful” example of the garments was replaced by my first loom-woven garments masterfully crafted by Alisa Stern. I know what you are thinking. There’s no need for you to do an internet search for her. She stopped weaving years ago.
My first teaching opportunity on the garments of the High Priest came through the Jewish Federation of Northwest Indiana. Michael Steinberg, the Executive Director of the community center in Munster, Indiana asked if I would volunteer to bring the High Priest garments to meet with the lunchtime friendship group. It was the best decision I made.
Several attendees were Holocaust survivors who were also interested in the “analysis of the soil” regarding the weaving of my garments! For a guy like me, it was heaven on earth.
Do You Think He’s Jewish?
After the lecture, two older ladies approached me to inspect the garments closer. Both have worked in the garment industry during their lifetime. They were impressed that I knew the difference between the “warp and weft” of a woven garment. The best moment was not the teaching.
The best moment came when the two ladies examined the garments. They thought they were speaking softly but I could overhear the conversation. One asked the other lady, “Do you think he is Jewish?” She responded, “Of course he’s Jewish. He has to be. Who else in the world would think of making something like this!”
I was humbled by knowing these ladies had endured the hardships and trials of World War II. My discouragement as “Hashem’s prop guy” was nothing compared to what they lived through. Now all these years later they were still alive to be used by the Lord to speak encouragement into my life.
A new day began. I determined in my heart that if all the Lord had me do was make props and allow others to teach from them, then, I’d be the best biblical prop maker I could be! My prop-making went to a higher level.
Conclusion
You may feel like you have no value, no gift for ministry, and the Lord cannot use you. You may feel unimportant and even insignificant. You may think you do not shine like gold or silver. You maybe common and even tarnished like an old copper penny. But underneath that insignificant looking and worn cooper is a shinny penny.
Do not give up. That old piece of copper just needs a cleaning and buffing. Do not throw the towel in. Continue with your assignment.
I started teaching on the Tabernacle from a flannel graft. Today, the Lord has entrusted me with many props, a life-size tabernacle of Moses (2022), a historic building (2024) to repurpose as a biblical museum dedicated to teaching the Tabernacle of Moses, the garments of the High Priest, and the five Levitical sacrifices. God is good.
I leave you with this thought. Your position or placement in the Kingdom of God may be different. You may not be in the limelight according to this world’s standards of success and importance. You may even feel left out. Consider the difference between the ark of the covenant and the copper laver for washing.
The Ark of the Covenant was the first to be constructed but the last to be used and only approached one day a year. The Copper Laver was the last to be built but the first to be used. I wonder how this might apply to Jesus saying in Matthew 20:16, “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen” (KJV).
If this lesson was meaningful there is a way you can thank me.
Consider giving your time, talent, or treasure to your local church or synagogue.
Take your Rabbi or minister out to lunch.
Help the widow down the street.
Encourage your friend who is out of work.
Visit the sick and speak an encouraging word to someone today.
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References
(1) I am regularly challenged when I use the word copper instead of brass or bronze. I will defer to the explanation of “Copper” by Jeff A. Benner of the Ancient Hebrew Research Center. Hebrew Word Definition: Copper | AHRC Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
"The Hebrew word nehhoshet is translated as copper one time (Ezra 8:27) in the King James Version. Copper is a pure mineral meaning that it is not mixed with any other minerals. The King James Version translates this same word as brass one hundred and three times. Brass is an alloy (mixture) of copper and nickel (another pure mineral). Other translations translate nehhoshet as brass or bronze. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin (another pure mineral). It would appear that the translators are not certain of the meaning of the word nehhoshet as no consensus [in English] can be made on how to translate this word."
(2) Sefaria, Exodus 38:8 with Rashi Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
“The Israelitish women possessed mirrors of copper into which they used to look when they adorned themselves. Even these did they not hesitate to bring as a contribution towards the Tabernacle. Now Moses was about to reject them since they were made to pander to their vanity, but the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “Accept them; these are dearer to Me than all the other contributions, because through them the women reared those huge hosts in Egypt!” For when their husbands were tired through the crushing labour they used to bring them food and drink and induced them to eat. Then they would take the mirrors, and each gazed at herself in her mirror together with her husband, saying endearingly to him, “See, I am handsomer than you!” Thus they awakened their husbands’ affection and subsequently became the mothers of many children, at it is said, (Song 8:5) “I awakened thy love under the apple-tree”, (referring to the fields where the men worked). This is what it refers to when it states, מראות הצבאת “the mirrors of the women who reared the hosts (צבאות)” (Midrash Tanchuma, Pekudei 9).”
Beautiful article Dr Terry. This has spoken to me.