Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, basins are vessels or containers used for various purposes, primarily in religious and ceremonial settings. These items are mentioned numerous times throughout the Scriptures, serving both practical and symbolic roles in the worship and daily life of the Israelites.
Old Testament UsageBasins are frequently referenced in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the Tabernacle and the Temple. They were used for holding water, blood, and other substances necessary for ritual purification and sacrifices. In
Exodus 30:18, God commands Moses to make a bronze basin for the Tabernacle: "You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it." This basin was used by the priests for washing their hands and feet before performing their duties, symbolizing the need for purity when approaching God.
In the construction of Solomon's Temple, basins played a significant role.
1 Kings 7:38-39 describes the creation of ten bronze basins: "He made ten bronze basins—each holding forty baths and measuring four cubits across—one basin for each of the ten stands. He set five stands on the south side of the temple and five on the north." These basins were used in conjunction with the larger "Sea," a massive basin for the priests' ceremonial washing.
Symbolic SignificanceBasins also carry symbolic meaning in the Scriptures. They often represent cleansing and purification, essential themes in the relationship between God and His people. The act of washing in a basin signifies the removal of impurity and sin, preparing individuals to enter into God's presence. This symbolism is evident in the rituals of the Tabernacle and Temple, where physical cleanliness mirrored spiritual purity.
New Testament ContextWhile the New Testament does not emphasize basins as prominently as the Old Testament, they still appear in significant moments. In
John 13:5, during the Last Supper, Jesus uses a basin to wash the disciples' feet: "After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel that was wrapped around Him." This act of humility and service underscores the importance of spiritual cleansing and servanthood in the Christian life.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, basins were common household items, used for washing, cooking, and religious rituals. The materials and craftsmanship of basins varied, with more elaborate designs reserved for sacred purposes. The use of bronze, as specified in the construction of the Tabernacle and Temple basins, indicates their importance and durability.
ConclusionBasins in the Bible serve as practical tools and powerful symbols of purification and service. Their presence in both the Old and New Testaments highlights the continuity of God's call for holiness and humility among His people. Through the use of basins, the Scriptures convey the necessity of cleansing—both physical and spiritual—as a prerequisite for approaching the divine.
Greek
2048. eremos -- solitary, desolate... Here and there, in clefts and
basins, and on the hillsides, grade on grade, you
observe a patch of corn, a clump of olives, a single palm' " (, 22).].
...Strong's Hebrew
101. aggan -- a bowl, basin... 100, 101. aggan. 102 . a bowl, basin. Transliteration: aggan Phonetic
Spelling: (ag-gawn') Short Definition:
basins. Word Origin
...3595. kiyyor -- pot, basin
... Word Origin from the same as kur Definition pot, basin NASB Word Usage basin
(6),basins (5), firepot (1), laver (9), pan (1), platform (1)....
4219. mizraq -- bowl, basin
... Word Origin from zaraq Definition bowl, basin NASB Word Usage basin (1),basins
(8), bowl (13), bowls (9), sacrificial bowls (1). bason, bowl....
5592a. saph -- a basin, goblet
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a basin, goblet NASB Word Usage basin
(2),basins (1), bowls (1), cup (1), cups (2). 5592, 5592a....
Library
Upon the Gathering Together of the Waters.
... But we must not therefore say, that if the water covered the face of the earth,
all thebasins which have since received the sea were originally full....
Continues the Same Subject, Explaining by a Comparison in what...
... experienced them. 3. To make the matter clearer, let us imagine we see two
fountains withbasins which fill with water. I can find...
King David's Little Boy.
... He refused to put on the fresh clothing they brought for him, or to wash in the
brassbasins of water held out to him, or to eat the food placed on the table...
High Priest
... They were to receive the blood of the burnt-offerings inbasins and sprinkle it
around about the altar, arrange the wood and the fire, and to burn the parts of...
At the Well
... the sky. Half-way between On and Pa-Ramesu was one of thesebasins, elliptical
in shape and walled with rough limestone. Moss grew...
The Peace and Harmony of the Universe.
... The vast unmeasurable sea, gathered together by His working into variousbasins,
[87] never passes beyond the bounds placed around it, but does as He has...
The Peace and Harmony of the Universe.
... The vast unmeasurable sea, gathered together by His working into variousbasins,
[4095] never passes beyond the bounds placed around it, but does as He has...
Of the Loving Recollection of the Soul in Contemplation.
... For as a new swarm of bees when it would take flight and change country, is recalled
by a sound softly made on metalbasins, by the smell of honied wine, or by...
The Sad Fate of a Guilty Nation
... took away. The fire-pans and thebasins of silver and of gold, the commander
of the body-guard also melted and took away. The commander...
But if Men Either Knew Themselves Thoroughly, or had the Slightest...
... as their own a divine and immortal nature; nor would they think themselves something
great because they have made for themselves gridirons,basins, and bowls...
Thesaurus
Basins (33 Occurrences)...Basins (33 Occurrences). Exodus 12:34 And the people took their bread-paste before
it was leavened, putting their
basins in their clothing on their backs. (BBE)
...Bread-basins (1 Occurrence)
Bread-basins. Bread-basin, Bread-basins. Bread-corn . Multi-Version
Concordance Bread-basins (1 Occurrence). Exodus...
Shovels (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 You shall make its pots to take away its ashes, its shovels, itsbasins,
its flesh hooks, and its fire pans: all its vessels you shall make of brass...
Pans (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 You shall make its pots to take away its ashes, its shovels, itsbasins,
its flesh hooks, and its fire pans: all its vessels you shall make of brass...
Fire-pans (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And thou shalt make its pots to take away its ashes, and its shovels,
and itsbasins, and its flesh-hooks, and its firepans: all the vessels...
Fire-trays (6 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades andbasins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE)....
Snuffers (8 Occurrences)
... In 4 of these passages, the English text reads, "the snuffers and thebasins"; the
5th is merely a summary of things taken to Babylon (2 Kings 25:14)....
Pots (30 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 You shall make its pots to take away its ashes, its shovels, itsbasins,
its flesh hooks, and its fire pans: all its vessels you shall make of brass...
Spades (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And make all its vessels, the baskets for taking away the dust of the
fire, the spades andbasins and meat-hooks and fire-trays, of brass. (BBE)....
Firepans (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels,
and hisbasins, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof...
Resources
What was the significance of the bronze laver? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Valley of Succoth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the importance of the Dead Sea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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