Mirrors, Sex, and Purity Exodus 38:8

Hous was asking some questions concerning Exodus 38:8 on his facebook wall, so I just had to run with it. Its a fascinating piece of scripture, and also one that really seems way out of place with the rest of the chapter. Alas, it is in there, and just like Psalm 137:9 there likely must be some deeper meaning surrounding it.

The text of issue: Exodus 38:8 Moreover, he made the laver of bronze with its base of bronze, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.

It seems odd that only the women at the temple entrance were singled out as a group in contrast to the 600,000 + others in the building of the tabernacle. Rabbi’s, such as Rashi seem to tie in the bit about Miriams song of the red sea, and military victory as concerning this text. Likewise Rashi presents some additional background. Mirrors were used by women to seduce their enslaved and exhausted husbands in the field for purposes of childbearing. Such was exceedingly important, as Rashi interprets Pharaohs actions in keeping the enslaved husbands exhausted, and likewise away from their families at night, as methods to foster the demise of the Jewish people in future generations.

Like Rashi, I tend to think the mirror business is sexually connected. Unlike Rashi, I’m thinking the women at the temple entrance were using mirrors and such for prostitution. The use of mirrors in the field certainly makes sense considering the Jewish focus on purity and the focus on continuation of their people for future generations.. but it seems a major stretch of the text to fit a position. Ie, these women were not at the field, they were at entrance to the tent of the meeting. In addition, if we consider the following in combination with the historical context of temple prostitution.

1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Granted, some could likewise say such is a bit of a stretch… scripture is not explicitly clear that the women were prostitutes, and likewise, history can vary from place to place. Thus the nearly 180 degree difference in my interpretation in contrast with Rashi. Continuing on…

If we then consider that Moses originally rejected the inclusion of mirrors, it seems a bit off. Ie, the symbolism of the propagation of future generations would seemingly be a righteous thing as recognition of God’s covenant with Abraham. On the other hand, if the mirrors had been involved in prostitution, Moses would seemingly be making the right call to reject their use… yet Rashi indicates God commanded their inclusion.

This inclusion of the women’s mirrors in the construction of the basin and its base could point towards Christ’s ministry and His focus on matters of the heart rather than the purity codes. The putting aside of the old and becoming new, being washed clean. Ie in giving up their mirrors, such could be symbolism of leaving prostitution behind. Likewise, such could point to Christ’s focus on sacrifice from the heart rather than sacrificial ritual. Ie, rather than giving $320 each, like the 600,000+ did, they gave away the tools of their profession. Lastly, the aspect of not causing another to stumble. Ie, they didnt sell the mirrors to others, but in being part of the basin assembly, no one else could use the mirrors for prostitution.

Then again… there is a tendency for us to look backwards in time. Its quite likely Christ’s ministry focus was the original intent of God all along. Purity and ritual were a means to reach the heart, rather than the disguises of righteousness used by the Pharisees.