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 Ex 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 2Ki 4:38 ff; Exod 16:3, Jer 1:13 the King James Version; Ezek 11:3, Ezek 11:7, Ezek 11:11, "caldron"; 24:3,6 the King James Version; Mic 3:3, Zech 14:21, etc. It is also used as the name of some vessel of the sanctuary. So Ex 27:3, where the context shows it was intended to hold ashes; 1Kgs 7:45, 2Chr 4:16, 2Ki 25:14. In Ps 60:8, Ps 108:9, it is a pot for washing.

(2) parur (Num 11:8, 1Sam 2:14), a vessel for boiling; in Jud 6:19, a vessel for holding broth.

(3) dudh, rendered "pot" in Ps 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 (Ex 16:33), the jar in which the manna was placed. This jar or pot is mentioned in Heb 9:4 under the name stamnos.

(5) 'acon (2Ki 4:2), some kind of jar for holding oil.

(6) xestes (Mr 7:4), some kind of household utensil.

Mention may also be made of the word rendered "pot" in Le 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" (Ps 68:13) the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "sheepfolds." The root is uncertain. Those who render "sheepfolds" connect with the related root in Gen 49:14, Judg 5:16. Others render "fireplaces" or "ash heaps." See also "range for pots," in Le 11:35; "pots," Jer 35:5 the King James Version, correctly "bowls" the Revised Version (British and American); "refining pots" in Prov 17:3, Prov 27:21.

See also FOOD.

Walter R. Betteridge