מלכים א, פרק ז׳, פסוק ל״ח

Following the construction of the intricate copper bases for the Temple, ten large copper basins were crafted to sit atop them. The primary function of these basins was to wash the parts of the animal sacrifices [רש״י, רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The water used for this cleaning process was drawn directly from the massive copper Sea that King Solomon had built [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Additionally, there is an opinion that these basins served a second purpose, providing water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before performing their duties, much like the original basin used in the Tabernacle [רלב״ג].

Each of the ten basins was positioned individually on one of the ten bases, resting securely on a specific pedestal extending from the top of the base [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These vessels were massive, with each holding a capacity of forty bat, a measurement equal to one hundred and twenty seah [מלבי״ם, רלב״ג, אברבנאל]. To put this into perspective, this volume contains enough water to fill three standard ritual baths [מלבי״ם], comprising an internal space of nine cubic cubits [רלב״ג, אברבנאל].

The recorded measurement of four cubits for each basin leads to differing views regarding their exact shape. One approach suggests that four cubits refers to the width or diameter of the basin's circular top. According to this view, the height was not strictly defined but was simply built to whatever depth was necessary to hold the required volume of water [רלב״ג, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, another perspective argues that four cubits was actually the height of the basin [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם], while its length and width measured one and three-quarter cubits [מלבי״ם].