A basin was a vessel used for washing, holding liquids, sprinkling, or receiving sacrificial blood. Basins served both ordinary household purposes and the worship of God in the tabernacle and temple.
Definition
A basin was a vessel or trough used for washing, holding liquids, receiving sacrificial blood, or sprinkling. Different biblical terms refer to hand-basins, goblets, temple vessels, bowls, and domestic containers, though their precise distinctions cannot now be established.
Biblical Usage
Basins were used in tabernacle and temple service, including the reception and sprinkling of sacrificial blood. They also served ordinary household purposes. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet in a basin that was probably larger and deeper than a hand-basin.
Historical Background
Tabernacle vessels were made of brass, while temple vessels were made of gold. The supplied material distinguishes several Hebrew terms but notes that English translations such as basin, bowl, charger, cup, and dish cannot be accurately separated in every passage.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Or Bason. (1.) A trough or laver (Heb. aggan’) for washing (Ex. 24:6); rendered also “goblet” (Cant. 7:2) and “cups” (Isa. 22:24). (2.) A covered dish or urn (Heb. k’for) among the vessels of the temple (1 Chr. 28:17; Ezra 1:10; 8:27). (3.) A vase (Heb. mizrak) from which to sprinkle anything. A metallic vessel; sometimes rendered “bowl” (Amos 6:6; Zech. 9:15). The vessels of the tabernacle were of brass (Ex. 27:3), while those of the temple were of gold (2 Chr. 4:8). (4.) A utensil (Heb. saph) for holding the blood of the victims (Ex. 12:22); also a basin for domestic purposes (2 Sam. 17:28). The various vessels spoken of by the names “basin, bowl, charger, cup, and dish,” cannot now be accurately distinguished. The basin in which our Lord washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:5) must have been larger and deeper than the hand-basin.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Among the smaller vessels for the tabernacle or temple service, many must have been required to receive from the sacrificial victims the blood to be sprinkled for purification. The “basin” from which our Lord washed the disciples’ feet was probably deeper and larger than the hand-basin for sprinkling.
