Description and usage
The libation in the Tabernacle and Temple was the pouring out of wine as an offering to God. Two vessels were involved in this operation. From the first vessel the wine was poured into the second one. Both vessels were placed on the table for consecrated bread (see Table for consecrated bread) and are only mentioned in connection with that table. The first container was a kind of jar or pitcher (qaswah in Hebrew), and the second one was a small bowl (mnaqith in Hebrew). Both objects were made of gold.
Translation
EXO 25:29; EXO 37:16; NUM 4:7: In these passages the Hebrew words mnaqith and qaswah occur together with a verb that normally carries the meaning of “pouring out as a drink offering.” According to Jewish tradition, an alternate rendering of this word would define the two objects as part of a frame for covering and protecting the bread of God’s presence. In EXO 25:29 b such a rendering would be something like “the rods and the side frames with which to cover them,” where RSV has “its flagons and bowls with which to pour libations.” However, no translation consulted (not even NJPSV) reflects this.