The meaning of Pot in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
pot: A term used as the translation of a number of Hebrew and Greek words whose fundamental meaning seems to describe them as intended for the most part to hold liquid or semi-liquid substances, but the pots of Exodus 27:3 are intended to hold ashes. (1) cir, the most common word for "pot." It designates most frequently some household utensil, probably a pot or kettle for boiling. So II Kings 4:38 ff.; Exodus 16:3; Jeremiah 1:13 the King James Version; Ezekiel 11:3, Ezekiel 11:7, Ezekiel 11:11, "caldron"; Ezekiel 24:3, Ezekiel 24:6 the King James Version; Micah 3:3; Zechariah 14:21, etc. It is also used as the name of some vessel of the sanctuary. So Exodus 27:3, where the context shows it was intended to hold ashes; I Kings 7:45; II Chronicles 4:16; II Kings 25:14. In Psalms 60:8; Psalms 108:9, it is a pot for washing. (2) parur (Numbers 11:8; I Samuel 2:14), a vessel for boiling; in Judges 6:19, a vessel for holding broth. (3) dudh, rendered "pot" in Psalms 81:6 in the King James Version, "basket" in the Revised Version (British and American); "pot" both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) in Job 41:20. (4) tsintseneth (Exodus 16:33), the jar in which the manna was placed. This jar or pot is mentioned in Hebrews 9:4 under the name stamnos. (5) 'acon (II Kings 4:2), some kind of jar for holding oil. (6) xestes (Mark 7:4), some kind of household utensil. Mention may also be made of the word rendered "pot" in Leviticus 6:28 the King James Version, where the Revised Version (British and American) renders more correctly by the general term "vessel"; for the King James Version "pots" (Psalms 68:13) the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "sheepfolds." The root is uncertain. Those who render "sheepfolds" connect with the related root in Genesis 49:14; Judges 5:16. Others render "fireplaces" or "ash heaps." See also "range for pots," in Leviticus 11:35; "pots," Jeremiah 35:5 the King James Version, correctly "bowls" the Revised Version (British and American); "refining pots" in Proverbs 17:3; Proverbs 27:21.
See also FOOD.
Walter R. Betteridge
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