Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the kettle was a common household item used for cooking and boiling. While the term "kettle" as we understand it today does not appear explicitly in most English translations of the Bible, the concept of a vessel for boiling or cooking is present in the ancient Near Eastern context. The Hebrew word often associated with such vessels is "dud" (דּוּד), which can be translated as pot, cauldron, or kettle, depending on the context.
Biblical References and Context1.
1 Samuel 2:14 : "And he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot, and everything the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh." This passage describes the practice of the priests during the time of Eli, where a fork was used to take portions of the sacrificial meat from the cooking vessels, including kettles.
2.
Job 41:20 : "Smoke billows from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over burning reeds." Here, the imagery of a boiling pot, which can be likened to a kettle, is used to describe the fierce and untamable nature of the Leviathan, a creature mentioned in the poetic discourse of Job.
3.
Micah 3:3 : "They eat the flesh of my people, strip off their skin, and break their bones; they chop them up like meat for the pan, like flesh for the pot." This verse uses the imagery of cooking in pots and kettles to depict the exploitation and oppression of the people by their leaders.
Cultural and Historical SignificanceIn ancient Israel, kettles and similar cooking vessels were essential for daily life. They were typically made of clay or metal and used for preparing meals, especially in the context of communal and religious gatherings. The process of boiling meat in kettles was a common method of food preparation, particularly for sacrificial offerings, as seen in the practices described in the books of Samuel.
The use of kettles in sacrificial contexts underscores the importance of communal meals in Israelite worship and social life. These meals often followed sacrifices and were a means of fellowship and covenant renewal among the people of God.
Symbolism and Theological InsightsThe kettle, as a vessel for cooking, can symbolize the process of transformation and purification. Just as raw ingredients are transformed into a nourishing meal through the application of heat, so too are believers refined and purified through trials and the work of the Holy Spirit. The imagery of boiling and cooking in Scripture often conveys themes of judgment, purification, and the refining process necessary for spiritual growth.
In summary, while the term "kettle" may not be directly mentioned in the Bible, the concept is present through various references to cooking vessels. These references provide insight into the daily life, religious practices, and spiritual symbolism of ancient Israel.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Kettlea vessel for culinary or sacrificial purposes. (1 Samuel 2:14) The Hebrew word is also rendered "basket" in (Jeremiah 24:2) "caldron" in (2 Chronicles 35:13) and "pot" in (Job 41:20)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A large pot for cooking. The same Hebrew word (dud, "boiling") is rendered also "pot" (
Psalm 81:6), "caldron" (
2 Chronicles 35:13), "basket" (
Jeremiah 24:2). It was used for preparing the peace-offerings (
1 Samuel 2:13, 14).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) A metallic vessel, with a wide mouth, often without a cover, used for heating and boiling water or other liquids.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
KETTLEket'-'l: In English Versions of the Bible only in1 Samuel 2:14 for dudh, "a vessel for cooking." The same word in2 Chronicles 35:13 is rendered "caldrons," and inJob 41:20 (Hebrew 12), "pot."Psalm 81:6 (Hebrew 7) (the King James Version "pots") belongs rather to another signification of the word (the Revised Version (British and American) "basket," for carrying clay or bricks).
Greek
5178. tumpanizo -- to beat a drum, to torture by beating... BF Westcott at Heb 11:35). Word Origin from tumpanon (a
kettle drum) Definition
to beat a drum, to torture by beating NASB Word Usage tortured (1). torture.
...Strong's Hebrew
1731. dud -- a pot, jar... Word Origin from the same as dod Definition a pot, jar NASB Word Usage
basket (3), baskets (2),
kettle (1), kettles (1), pot (1).
...7037. qallachath -- a caldron
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a caldron NASB Word Usage caldron (1),
kettle (1). caldron. Apparently but a form for tsallachath; akettle -- caldron....
100. agmon -- a rush, bulrush
... From the same as 'agam; a marshy pool (others from a different root, akettle);
by implication a rush (as growing there); collectively a rope of rushes...
4841. merqachah -- an ointment pot
... Feminine of merqach; abstractly, a seasoning (with spicery); concretely, an
unguent-kettle (for preparing spiced oil) -- pot of ointment, X well....
Library
On a Piece of Chalk. A Lecture to Working Men.
... Or, to take a more familiar example, the fur on the inside of a tea-kettle is carbonate
of lime; and, for anything chemistry tells us to the contrary, the...
A visit to the Base
... roomy railway compartments, the slow, steady movement of the broad gauge train,
enabling one to read and write with comfort; the rush with a tinkettle for hot...
God Justified, Though Man Believes Not
... He said, "There was a dog on the hearthrug, and there was akettle of
boiling water on the fire. As thekettle kept puffing out...
The Right to My Own Time
... tea" that could be called so only by courtesy; since, having no tea leaves, they
had instead just put a few slices of raw sweet potato into thekettle when it...
It was Late in the Afternoon when Diamond and his Mother and the...
... fire burning in the room, which their neighbour with the drunken husband had attended
to for them; and the tea-things were put out, and thekettle was boiling...
Choice of Company
... than thyself. What fellowship shall the earthen pot have with thekettle?
this shall smite, and that shall be dashed in pieces. The...
Jeremiah's Call to do a Hard Task
... Again this message came from Jehovah, "What do you see?" I answered, "A greatkettle
brewing hot, and it faces from the north." Then Jehovah said to me: "From...
Ephesians iv. 17
... him? For if the fire be god, let him feed upon thy body. Put not thy god
under the bottom of thykettle, or thy cauldron. [309] Bring...
The Psalmist's Remonstrance with his Soul
... ebullition. It would be like pouring cold water into akettle on the fire.
It would end its bubbling. Everything has two handles....
The American Experiments, 1734-1762.
... As he lay in his tent he could hear fiendish yells rend the air; he went out with
akettle, to get some water for Cammerhof, and the savages knocked thekettle...
Thesaurus
Kettle (2 Occurrences)... other liquids. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
KETTLE. ket'-'l
... or bricks).
Multi-Version Concordance
Kettle (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel
...Caldron (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A largekettle or boiler of copper, brass, or iron.
[Written also cauldron.]. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CALDRON....
Pot (46 Occurrences)
... (1) cir, the most common word for "pot." It designates most frequently some
household utensil, probably a pot orkettle for boiling....
Pan (26 Occurrences)
... 7:30, etc.). As it held water and was used for boiling meat and the like,
it must have been a kind of pot orkettle. (3) masreth...
Vessel (118 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A hollow or concave utensil for holding anything; a hollow receptacle of
any kind, as a hogshead, a barrel, a firkin, a bottle, akettle, a cup, a bowl...
Ketab
Kettles (2 Occurrences)
Ladle (11 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To take up and convey in a ladle; to dip with, or as with, a ladle; as,
to ladle out soup; to ladle oatmeal into akettle. Multi-Version Concordance...
Fork (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 2:14 and he struck it into the pan, orkettle, or caldron, or pot;
all that the fork brought up the priest took therewith....
Fleshhook (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 2:14 And he struck it into the pan, orkettle, or caldron, or pot;
all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself....
Resources
What are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.orgKettle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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