Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5445 potters and pottery

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.

Potters in Scripture

Examples of potters

Jeremiah 18:2 See also 1 Chronicles 4:23; Jeremiah 19:1; Zechariah 11:13 Potters may have been associated with the temple, possibly because of the continuing need for new vessels to be used in religious ceremonies; Matthew 27:7

Description of the potter's work

Proverbs 26:23; Jeremiah 18:3-4

God depicted as a potter

God's authority over what he has made

Jeremiah 18:6 See also Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 45:9-10; Romans 9:20-21

God's concern for what he has made

Isaiah 64:8-9 See also Genesis 2:7-8 “Formed” commonly describes the action of the potter. God “formed” both individuals and the nation; Job 10:8-9; Psalm 103:14; Psalm 119:73; Isaiah 43:1

Broken pottery

Contaminated pottery to be broken

Leviticus 11:33-35; Leviticus 15:12

Broken pottery as a symbol of judgment

Jeremiah 19:10-11 See also Psalm 2:9; Revelation 2:27; Isaiah 30:14; Jeremiah 25:34; Jeremiah 48:12

Broken pottery as a symbol of worthlessness

Psalm 31:12 See also Jeremiah 22:28; Jeremiah 19:2 The Potsherd Gate was so called because it overlooked the dump for broken pottery.

Pottery of little value

Lamentations 4:2 See also Psalm 60:8 pp Psalm 108:9 2 Corinthians 4:7 Valuables were often concealed in apparently worthless clay jars which did not attract attention.

Examples of items of pottery

See also

2 Samuel 17:28; 2 Timothy 2:20

Cooking pots

Judges 6:19; 1 Samuel 2:14; 2 Kings 4:38-41; Job 41:20; Micah 3:3

Pitchers to carry water

Genesis 24:17-20; Judges 7:16; Mark 14:13 pp Luke 22:10; John 4:28

Water jugs

1 Samuel 26:11-12; 1 Kings 17:10; Kings 19:6

Drinking vessels

Judges 5:25; Jeremiah 35:5; Matthew 26:27-28 pp Mark 14:23-24 pp Luke 22:20 pp 1 Corinthians 11:25

Other pottery containers

1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 4:3-4; Kings 21:13; Jeremiah 32:14 Documents could be kept intact in clay jars for many years; Matthew 26:23; John 13:5

Household lamps

2 Kings 4:10; Matthew 5:15

Pottery used in religious rituals

Basins to hold the blood of sacrifices

Exodus 12:21-22 See also Exodus 24:6; Leviticus 14:5,50

Utensils to cook or bake offerings

Leviticus 6:28 The sin offering was cooked in a pot which was then broken. See also Leviticus 2:5 The grain offering might be baked on a clay griddle; Leviticus 6:21; Leviticus 7:9

Clay water jars

Numbers 5:17; Numbers 19:17

Lamps

Exodus 25:37 A clay lamp was held on each of the golden lampstand's seven branches. See also Exodus 27:21; Exodus 30:8; Leviticus 24:3-4; 1 Samuel 3:3; 1 Kings 7:49

See also

1130  God, sovereignty
4315  clay
5222  baking
5226  basin
5234  bottle
5268  cooking
5283  cup
5373  lamp & lampstand
5621  wheel
5959  submission
7478  washing
9210  judgment, God's