8. laver of brass . . . of the looking glasses of the
women--The word mirrors should have been used, as those
implements, usually round, inserted into a handle of wood, stone, or
metal, were made of brass, silver, or bronze, highly polished [WILKINSON]. It was customary for the Egyptian women to
carry mirrors with them to the temples; and whether by taking the
looking glasses of the Hebrew women Moses designed to put it out of
their power to follow a similar practice at the tabernacle, or whether
the supply of brass from other sources in the camp was exhausted, it is
interesting to learn how zealously and to a vast extent they
surrendered those valued accompaniments of the female toilet.
of the women assembling . . . at the door--not
priestesses but women of pious character and influence, who frequented
the courts of the sacred building
(Lu 2:37),
and whose parting with their mirrors, like the cutting the hair of the
Nazarites, was their renouncing the world for a season [HENGSTENBERG].
JFB.
Outline
The brazen altar and laver. (1-8)
The court. (9-20)
The offerings of the people. (21-31)
Important Topics for Bible Study
Quick Reference Map
Map of the Possible Route of the
Exodus
(Click to Enlarge)
Ancient Customs
Ancient People
Geography
the wilderness
the mount of God
Quick Reference Maps
Map of the Red Sea and Egypt
(Click to Enlarge)
The Old Testament
Exodus Resources
Moses
and the Exodus
The Giving of the Law
The
Tabernacle
The Wilderness Wanderings