John Gill Commentary 1 Kings 7:38

"And he made ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths; and every laver was four cubits; and upon very one of the ten bases one laver." — 1 Kings 7:38 (ASV)

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 ^F3 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, (2 Chronicles 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 (Romans 12:1) (Revelation 7:13) ,

one laver contained forty baths ;
and a bath, according to Bishop Cumberland ^F4 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F3: Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi, in 2 Chron. iv. 6.
• F4: Scripture Weights and Measures, c. 3. p. 70, 71.