pot: A term used as the translation of a number of Hebrew and Greek words whose fundamental meaning seems to describe them as intended for the most part to hold liquid or semi-liquid substances, but the pots ofEx 27:3are intended to hold ashes.
(1) cir, the most common word for "pot." It designates most frequently some household utensil, probably a pot or kettle for boiling. So2Ki 4:38ff;Ex 16:3;Jer 1:13the King James Version;Eze 11:3,7,11, "caldron"; 24:3,6 the King James Version;Mic 3:3;Zec 14:21, etc. It is also used as the name of some vessel of the sanctuary. SoEx 27:3, where the context shows it was intended to hold ashes;1Ki 7:45;2Ch 4:16;2Ki 25:14. InPs 60:8;108:9, it is a pot for washing.
(2) parur (Nu 11:8;1Sa 2:14), a vessel for boiling; inJud 6:19, a vessel for holding broth.
(3) dudh, rendered "pot" inPs 81:6in the King James Version, "basket" in the Revised Version (British and American); "pot" both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) inJob 41:20.
(4) tsintseneth (Ex 16:33), the jar in which the manna was placed. This jar or pot is mentioned inHeb 9:4under the name stamnos.
(5) 'acon (2Ki 4:2), some kind of jar for holding oil.
(6) xestes (Mr 7:4), some kind of household utensil.
Mention may also be made of the word rendered "pot" inLe 6:28the King James Version, where the Revised Version (British and American) renders more correctly by the general term "vessel"; for the King James Version "pots" (Ps 68:13) the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "sheepfolds." The root is uncertain. Those who render "sheepfolds" connect with the related root inGe 49:14;Jud 5:16. Others render "fireplaces" or "ash heaps." See also "range for pots," inLe 11:35; "pots,"Jer 35:5the King James Version, correctly "bowls" the Revised Version (British and American); "refining pots" inPr 17:3;27:21.
See alsoFOOD.
Walter R. Betteridge