BASIN (סַפ֒, H6195, cup, bowl, מִזְרָק, H4670, basin for tossing or sprinkling a liquid, כְּפﯴר֒, H4094, silver or gold basin used in Temple, אַגָּן, H110, basin used in rituals, νιπτήρ, G3781, basin, vessel).

The Heb. word saf̱ is a generic word for various kinds and sizes of metal or ceramic containers that were used to hold or carry something about the home (2 Sam 17:28) or Temple (Jer 52:18, 19). For the more significant rituals in the Temple of sprinkling or pouring the blood of the sacrifices upon the altar, a large basin called a mizrāq was used. The root idea of this name is found in the Heb. word zāraq, meaning “to scatter extensively” or “to spread out abundantly” (BDB, 284). This was a vessel for pouring or scattering a considerable amount of liquid in one motion, and one can picture a broad shallow basin from which the blood of the sacrifice cascades upon the sides or top of the altar (Exod 29:16, 20; Lev 1:5f., 7:2; Num 4:14; 1 Kings 7:40; Jer 52:18, 19; Zech 9:15). The same type of vessel was used for purification rites (Ezek 36:25), for wine consumption (Amos 6:6), and for meal oil offerings by rulers (Num 7:13f.). In times of prosperity under Solomon these basins were fashioned of gold (1 Kings 7:49, 50; 2 Chron 4:8). These vessels made of gold or silver were also called kephor in David’s day (1 Chron 28:17) and after the Exile (Ezra 1:10, 8:27).

When Moses instituted the covenant and scattered the blood of the sacrifices before the people (Exod 24:6), he used a large basin called an ’āggan, the only usage of this word.

In the NT the only reference to a basin is the occasion when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. It has been suggested that the word nipter refers both to the pouring pitcher and the basin for catching the water (John 13:5).