Dictionary of Bible Themes Pottery was in common use for both household and ceremonial utensils, though for sacred use precious metals were often preferred. Broken pottery symbolises worthlessness and judgment. The potter formed clay with his hands on a wheel which he turned with his feet. The descriptions of God as a potter and of his people as clay emphasise God's sovereignty and also his concern for what he has made. Jeremiah 18:2Potters in Scripture See also Examples of potters 1 Chronicles 4:23Jeremiah 19:1 Zechariah 11:13 Matthew 27:7 Potters may have been associated with the temple, possibly because of the continuing need for new vessels to be used in religious ceremonies Proverbs 26:23Jeremiah 18:3-4 Description of the potter's work Jeremiah 18:6God depicted as a potter See also God's authority over what he has made Isaiah 29:16; 45:9-10Romans 9:20-21 Isaiah 64:8-9 See also God's concern for what he has made Genesis 2:7-8Job 10:8-9 Psalms 103:14; 119:73 "Formed" commonly describes the action of the potter. God "formed" both individuals and the nation Isaiah 43:1Leviticus 11:33-35; 15:12 Broken pottery Contaminated pottery to be broken Jeremiah 19:10-11See also Broken pottery as a symbol of judgment Psalms 2:9Revelation 2:27 Isaiah 30:14 Jeremiah 25:34; 48:12 Psalms 31:12 See also Broken pottery as a symbol of worthlessness Jeremiah 22:28; 19:2The Potsherd Gate was so called because it overlooked the dump for broken pottery. Lamentations 4:2Pottery of little value See also Psalms 60:82 Corinthians 4:7 pp Ps 108:9 See also Valuables were often concealed in apparently worthless clay jars which did not attract attention. Examples of items of pottery 2 Samuel 17:282 Timothy 2:20 Judges 6:19 1 Samuel 2:14 Cooking pots 2 Kings 4:38-41Job 41:20 Micah 3:3 Genesis 24:17-20 Judges 7:16 Pitchers to carry water Mark 14:13John 4:28 pp Lk 22:10 1 Samuel 26:11-121 Kings 17:10; 19:6 Water jugs Judges 5:25Jeremiah 35:5 Drinking vessels Matthew 26:27-28pp Mk 14:23-24 pp Lk 22:20 1 Kings 14:3pp 1Co 11:25 2 Kings 4:3-4; 21:13Other pottery containers Jeremiah 32:14Matthew 26:23 John 13:5 Documents could be kept intact in clay jars for many years 2 Kings 4:10Matthew 5:15 Household lamps Exodus 12:21-22Pottery used in religious rituals See also Basins to hold the blood of sacrifices Exodus 24:6Leviticus 14:5,50 Leviticus 6:28 Utensils to cook or bake offerings See also Leviticus 2:5The sin offering was cooked in a pot which was then broken. Leviticus 6:21; 7:9The grain offering might be baked on a clay griddle Numbers 5:17; 19:17Clay water jars Exodus 25:37Lamps See also Exodus 27:21; 30:8A clay lamp was held on each of the golden lampstand's seven branches. Leviticus 24:3-41 Samuel 3:3 1 Kings 7:49 See also 1130 God, sovereignty4318 coal 5224 barn 5226 basin 5235 boundary 5269 cornerstone 5284 cupbearer 5374 languages 5622 witnesses 5959 submission 7478 washing 9210 judgment, God's |
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