In the biblical context, the laver, or basin, holds significant symbolic meaning beyond its literal use in the tabernacle and temple. The laver was a large basin made of bronze, situated in the courtyard of the tabernacle and later the temple, used by the priests for ceremonial washing before they performed their duties (Exodus 30:18-21). This act of washing symbolized purification and readiness to serve in the presence of God.

Figuratively, the laver represents spiritual cleansing and renewal. In the New Testament, the concept of washing is often associated with the cleansing power of the Word of God and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:26 speaks of Christ sanctifying the church, "having cleansed her by the washing with water through the word." Here, the laver is symbolically linked to the transformative power of Scripture, which purifies and prepares believers for service and communion with God.

The laver also prefigures the sacrament of baptism, which signifies the believer's cleansing from sin and entry into the covenant community. In 1 Peter 3:21, baptism is described as "not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God." This reflects the laver's role in the Old Testament as a means of external purification, now fulfilled in the internal cleansing of the believer through faith in Christ.

Moreover, the laver can be seen as a symbol of the ongoing process of sanctification in the life of a Christian. Just as the priests needed to wash repeatedly, believers are called to continually seek spiritual renewal and cleansing. In John 13:10, Jesus tells Peter, "The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean." This illustrates the need for ongoing repentance and renewal, even after the initial cleansing of salvation.

In the book of Revelation, the imagery of a sea of glass before the throne of God (Revelation 4:6) can be seen as an allusion to the laver, representing the purity and holiness required to stand in God's presence. This reinforces the idea that the laver, in its figurative sense, points to the ultimate purification and sanctification of believers, enabling them to worship and serve God eternally.

Thus, the laver serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual cleansing, the sanctifying work of the Word and Spirit, and the believer's preparation for holy service, both in this life and in the life to come.Revelation 4:6
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like to crystal: and in the middle of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 15:2
And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Nave's Topical Index

Whether it was Fitting for Christ to be Baptized with John's ...
... grace, since Christ did not refuse the laver of penance.". Reply to Objection 2:
The Jewish baptism prescribed by the law was merely figurative, whereas John's ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was fitting for 3.htm

Christ's Connection with the Creator Shown Many Quotations Out of ...
... For of this number I find figurative hints up and down the Creator's dispensation
[3917] in ... in their faith, which the true Joshua took out of the laver of the ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xiii christs connection with the.htm

On Baptism.
... Bridegroom afterwards separates those who have come in to the figurative marriage. ...
Regard not the Laver as simple water, but rather regard the spiritual grace ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture iii on baptism.htm

Effects of Baptism and of Chrism.
... and the Wine the Blood of Christ [265] ." Regard not the Laver as simple ... anointed
him, and he was called anointed,' evidently from this figurative unction (tou ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/chapter vi effects of baptism and.htm

Commentaries and Standards on the Birth of Water and Spirit.
... all interpretations which treat the term water as here simply figurative and
descriptive ... properly it is used of that baptism which is the laver of regeneration ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/commentaries and standards on the.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... that the Lord ordered (Ex.30:18, seqq.) the making of a brazen laver with its foot ...
were ordained to the worship of God for the time being, and figurative, in so ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

On the Baptism of Christ.
... stone, Christ, concealing in the deep and in mystery the laver of regeneration ... with
the clean and fair apparel; teaching us by the figurative illustration that ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the baptism of christ.htm

Aaron, his Office no Palliation of his Sin, 61.
... Incarnation, the, predicted, [202]205; reality of, how proved, [203]205; figurative
descriptions of in Holy Scripture ... Regeneration, laver of, [384]161, [385]162 ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/aaron his office no palliation.htm

Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It.
... 10:16.) There is no ground to object that the expression is figurative, and gives ...
say that out of the corruptible element is made the spiritual laver of the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 of the lords.htm

Matt. vi. 1
... sins may be forgiven them, it is clear that not even after the laver is the ... is correctly
rendered in the text, but the verb is used in a figurative sense.--R.]. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xix matt vi 1.htm

What was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.org

What was Herod's temple? | GotQuestions.org

Is Jesus in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Laver: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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