He made the basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, out of the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 8. Mirrors. Formerly all sorts of metal, silver, copper, tin, and so forth were used for mirrors, till the Europeans began to make them of glass. The best were made of a mixture of copper and tin. Plin. xxxiii. 9.—Watched. Hebrew, served like soldiers: fasting and praying, according to the Septuagint and Chal. These devout women came thither with great alacrity, to shew their affection towards God, and to consecrate to his service what had hitherto served to nourish vanity. Such were the virgins, mentioned 2 Machabees 3:19, and those who were abused by the sons of Heli. 1 Kennicott. 2:22. Ann, the prophetess, and our blessed Lady, were thus also employed in the temple. Luke 2:37. Women kept watch, singing and dancing before the palace of the Persian kings. Calmet.—When the tabernacle was fixed at Silo, small apartments were probably built for the convenience of these pious women. Tirinus.