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 .
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
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