Bowl

In biblical times, bowls were common household items used for various purposes, including eating, drinking, and ritualistic practices. The Hebrew word often translated as "bowl" is "mizraq," which refers to a vessel used in the context of temple worship and sacrifices. Bowls are mentioned throughout the Bible, symbolizing abundance, judgment, and divine wrath.

In the Old Testament, bowls were integral to the tabernacle and temple services. For instance, in Exodus 25:29, God instructs Moses to make bowls of pure gold for the table of showbread: "And you are to make its plates and dishes, as well as its pitchers and bowls, with which to pour out drink offerings; make them of pure gold" . These bowls were used to hold offerings and were part of the sacred utensils dedicated to the Lord.

The prophetic books often use bowls as symbols of God's judgment. In Zechariah 12:2, the Lord declares, "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem" . Here, the bowl or cup represents the intoxicating wrath that God will pour out on the nations.

In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation vividly depicts bowls as instruments of divine wrath. Revelation 16 describes the seven bowls of God's wrath poured out upon the earth, each bringing a specific plague or judgment. Revelation 16:1 states, "Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, 'Go, pour out on the earth the seven bowls of God’s wrath'" . These bowls signify the culmination of God's judgment against sin and rebellion.

Spouts

The term "spouts" is less frequently mentioned in the Bible, but it can be associated with the flow or pouring out of liquid, often in a symbolic or metaphorical sense. In biblical literature, the imagery of pouring or flowing is significant, representing abundance, blessing, or judgment.

In the context of blessings, the imagery of pouring is seen in Malachi 3:10, where God promises to "open the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need" . Although the term "spouts" is not directly used, the concept of pouring out blessings is akin to the function of a spout, directing the flow of God's favor upon His people.

Conversely, the imagery of pouring is also used to describe the outpouring of God's wrath or judgment. In Jeremiah 10:25, the prophet pleads, "Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the families that do not call on Your name" . Here, the act of pouring signifies the directed and deliberate nature of divine judgment.

In summary, while "spouts" as a specific term may not be prevalent in the biblical text, the concept of pouring, whether of blessings or judgment, is a recurring theme. It underscores the idea of God's active involvement in the world, either in providing for His people or in executing justice.