Vessels Earthen
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [1]
ûrth ´' n , (חרשׂ , ḥeres , יצר , yecer ; ὀστράκινος , ostrákinos ): These vessels were heat-resisting and were used for cooking and for boiling clothes ( Leviticus 6:28; Leviticus 11:33; Leviticus 14:5 , Leviticus 14:50 ). They were probably non-porous and took the place of the ḳidri or ma'ajin used in Syria today. A traveler in the interior of Palestine may still meet with the hospitality showed to David ( 2 Samuel 17:28 ). The generous natives brought not only gifts of food but the necessary vessels in which to cook it. An earthen vessel was used to preserve a land deed ( Jeremiah 32:14 ).
Figurative: In Jeremiah 19:1 breaking of an earthen vessel was symbolical of the destruction of Jerusalem. These vessels were also used to symbolize the commonness ( Lamentations 4:2 ) and frailness of our bodies ( 2 Corinthians 4:7 ). See Pottery .
