Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)/Basin

Basin : Or Bason. (1.) A trough or laver (Heb.@aggan') for washing (Ex. 24:6); rendered also "goblet" (Solomon, Song of|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.