Pot

POT 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 2 Kings 4:38; Exodus 16:3; Jeremiah 1:13 the King James Version; Ezekiel 11:3,7,11, "caldron"; 24:3,6 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; 1 Kings 7:45; 2 Chronicles 4:16; 2 Kings 25:14. In

Psalms 60:8; 108:9, it is a pot for washing.

(2) parur (Numbers 11:8; 1 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 (2 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; 27:21.

See also FOOD.

Walter R. Betteridge

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Bibliography Information

Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'POT'".  "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".  1915.