John Gill Bible Commentary

Then made he ten lavers of brass,.... There was but one in the tabernacle of Moses, and what became of that is not known: some Jewish writers (c) say it was placed in Solomon's temple, and these lavers, five on the right and five on the left of it; however, here were enough provided for the purpose for the priests to wash their burnt offerings in, Ch2 4:6 and were typical of the large provision made in the blood of Christ for the cleansing of his people; whose works, services, and sacrifices, as well as persons and garments, need continual washing in that blood; see Rom 12:1, one laver contained forty baths; and a bath, according to Bishop Cumberland (d) held seven wine gallons, and two quarts and half a pint: and every laver was four cubits: that is, square; this was the diameter of it: and upon every of the ten bases one laver; for which they were made, even to set the lavers on, and were exactly of the same measure. (c) Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi, in 2 Chron. iv. 6. (d) Scripture Weights and Measures, c. 3. p. 70, 71.