Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, jars were essential household items used for a variety of purposes, including storage, cooking, and ritual practices. The Hebrew word often translated as "jar" is "kad," which refers to a vessel typically made of clay or pottery. Jars are mentioned throughout the Bible, serving both practical and symbolic roles in the narrative of God's people.Old Testament References Jars are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, highlighting their importance in daily life. In Genesis 24:14, Rebekah is described as carrying a jar on her shoulder when she meets Abraham's servant at the well: "Now may it be that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels water too’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac." This passage illustrates the jar's role in hospitality and provision. In 1 Kings 17:14, during a time of drought, the prophet Elijah assures the widow of Zarephath that her jar of flour will not be exhausted: "For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’" Here, the jar becomes a symbol of God's miraculous provision and faithfulness. New Testament References In the New Testament, jars continue to play significant roles. At the wedding in Cana, Jesus performs His first miracle by turning water into wine, using six stone water jars (John 2:6-7): "Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, 'Fill the jars with water.' So they filled them to the brim." This miracle signifies the transformation and abundance that Jesus brings. Another notable mention is in Mark 14:3, where a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume from an alabaster jar: "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head." This act of devotion and worship foreshadows Jesus' impending death and burial. Symbolism and Significance Jars in the Bible often symbolize God's provision, abundance, and the vessels through which His blessings are poured out. They also represent the human condition, as seen in 2 Corinthians 4:7: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us." Here, the apostle Paul uses the metaphor of jars of clay to illustrate human frailty and the divine power that resides within believers. In summary, jars in the biblical context are more than mere containers; they are instruments through which God's presence, provision, and power are manifested. They serve as reminders of the everyday life of ancient peoples and the extraordinary ways in which God interacts with His creation. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A turn. [Only in phrase.]2. (n.) A deep, broad-mouthed vessel of earthenware or glass, for holding fruit, preserves, etc., or for ornamental purposes; as, a jar of honey; a rose jar. 3. (n.) The measure of what is contained in a jar; as, a jar of oil; a jar of preserves. 4. (v. i.) To give forth a rudely quivering or tremulous sound; to sound harshly or discordantly; as, the notes jarred on my ears. 5. (v. i.) To act in opposition or disagreement; to clash; to interfere; to quarrel; to dispute. 6. (v. t.) To cause a short, tremulous motion of, to cause to tremble, as by a sudden shock or blow; to shake; to shock; as, to jar the earth; to jar one's faith. 7. (v. t.) To tick; to beat; to mark or tell off. 8. (n.) A rattling, tremulous vibration or shock; a shake; a harsh sound; a discord; as, the jar of a train; the jar of harsh sounds. 9. (n.) Clash of interest or opinions; collision; discord; debate; slight disagreement. 10. (n.) A regular vibration, as of a pendulum. 11. (n.) In deep well boring, a device resembling two long chain links, for connecting a percussion drill to the rod or rope which works it, so that the drill is driven down by impact and is jerked loose when jammed. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia JARjar. Greek 4713. stamnos -- an earthen jar (for racking off wine) ... an earthen jar (for racking off wine). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: stamnos Phonetic Spelling: (stam'-nos) Short Definition: a jar or vase ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4713.htm - 6k 5201. hudria -- a water pot, a pot or jar 2765. keramion -- an earthen vessel 4632. skeuos -- a vessel, implement, pl. goods Strong's Hebrew 3537. kad -- a jar... 3536, 3537. kad. 3538 . a jar. Transliteration: kad Phonetic Spelling: (kad) Short Definition: jar. Word Origin from an unused word ... /hebrew/3537.htm - 6k 6803. tsintseneth -- a jar 6835. tsappachath -- a jar, jug 6746. tselochith -- a jar 5035a. nebel -- a skin bottle, skin, jar, pitcher 1731. dud -- a pot, jar 7184. qasah -- jug, jar 5035. nebel -- a skin bottle, skin, jar, pitcher 6089b. etseb -- a vessel 1228. baqbuq -- a flask Library "The Following is a Small Matter which I Learned Lately from the ... How Rebekah Became the Wife of Isaac Illusive Appearance of the Moon. The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour (Nt Apocrypha) Jesus Praises a Woman who Gave Her Best Elijah and the Widow's Son Book vii. On the Useful or the Ordinary The Evolution of Language Revelation of John. A Talk About the Water of Life. Thesaurus Jar (45 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) A deep, broad-mouthed vessel of earthenware or glass, for holding fruit, preserves, etc., or for ornamental purposes; as, a jar of honey; a rose jar. ... /j/jar.htm - 21k Me-jar'kon (1 Occurrence) Jug (11 Occurrences) Ointment (29 Occurrences) Exhausted (26 Occurrences) Alabaster (6 Occurrences) Bread (433 Occurrences) Expensive (6 Occurrences) Pot (46 Occurrences) Poured (155 Occurrences) Resources What is the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spikenard in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about brokenness? | GotQuestions.org Jar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Jar (45 Occurrences)Matthew 26:7 Mark 14:3 Mark 14:13 Luke 7:37 Luke 8:16 Luke 22:10 John 4:28 John 19:29 Hebrews 9:4 Genesis 24:14 Genesis 24:15 Genesis 24:16 Genesis 24:17 Genesis 24:18 Genesis 24:20 Genesis 24:43 Genesis 24:45 Genesis 24:46 Exodus 16:33 Numbers 5:17 Numbers 19:17 1 Samuel 26:11 1 Samuel 26:12 1 Samuel 26:16 1 Kings 14:3 1 Kings 17:10 1 Kings 17:12 1 Kings 17:14 1 Kings 17:16 1 Kings 19:6 2 Kings 2:20 2 Kings 4:2 2 Kings 4:6 Job 41:31 Isaiah 30:14 Jeremiah 13:12 Jeremiah 19:1 Jeremiah 19:10 Jeremiah 19:11 Jeremiah 22:28 Jeremiah 32:14 Jeremiah 48:11 Jeremiah 48:38 Jeremiah 51:34 Ezekiel 4:9 Subtopics Related Terms |