Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "platter" refers to a large, flat dish or serving vessel used for presenting food. The concept of a platter is mentioned in various contexts within the Bible, often symbolizing abundance, hospitality, and sometimes, spiritual lessons.
Old Testament ContextWhile the specific term "platter" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the concept of serving dishes is present in the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel. Feasts and offerings often involved the use of large dishes or platters to present food, as seen in the detailed descriptions of sacrificial meals and communal feasts. These vessels were typically made from materials such as clay, bronze, or silver, depending on the wealth and status of the host.
New Testament ReferencesThe New Testament provides more direct references to platters, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the imagery of a platter to convey a moral lesson about inner purity versus outward appearance. In
Matthew 23:25-26 , Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and scribes, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well."
This passage highlights the importance of inner righteousness over mere external compliance with religious rituals. The "dish" or "platter" serves as a metaphor for the human heart, emphasizing that true cleanliness and holiness begin from within.
Cultural and Symbolic SignificanceIn the cultural context of the Bible, sharing a meal was a significant act of fellowship and community. Platters, as central elements of a shared meal, symbolized hospitality and the provision of sustenance. The act of serving food on a platter was not only a practical necessity but also a gesture of welcome and generosity.
The symbolic use of platters in Jesus' teachings underscores the broader biblical theme of integrity and authenticity in one's spiritual life. Just as a platter should be clean both inside and out, so should a person's life reflect genuine faith and purity.
ConclusionThe concept of a platter in the Bible, while seemingly mundane, carries rich symbolic meaning. It serves as a reminder of the importance of inner purity and the call to live a life of genuine faith and righteousness. Through the imagery of a platter, the Bible communicates timeless truths about the nature of true holiness and the essence of Christian living.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One who plats or braids.
2. (n.) A large plate or shallow dish on which meat or other food is brought to the table.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PLATTERplat'-er:
(1) qe`arah, "a deep dish" (Numbers 7:13, 84, 85). In the King James Version and the English Revised Version "charger," the American Standard Revised Version "platter" (compareExodus 25:29;Exodus 37:16); the Septuagint trublion, and in the New Testament rendered "dish" (Matthew 26:23Mark 14:20). InEzra 1:9, the American Standard Revised Version agharTal, rendered "platter," the King James Version and the English Revised Version "chargers"; probably a deep dish or basin used in sacrificial slaughter.
(2) paropsis, originally a side dish, for relishes, entrees, but of dishes for food, in general, especially meats, fish, etc., used with poterion, "cup" or "drinking vessel" (Matthew 23:25 f); also pinax, originally a large wooden dish or plate (Luke 11:39); rendered "charger" inMatthew 14:8, 11 the King James Version, andMark 6:25, 28 the King James Version and the English Revised Version.
Edward Bagby Pollard
Greek
4094. pinax -- a board, dish... a board, dish. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: pinax Phonetic Spelling:
(pin'-ax) Short Definition: a plate,
platter Definition: a plate
...3953. paropsis -- a side dish of delicacies
... of delicacies. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paropsis Phonetic
Spelling: (par-op-sis') Short Definition: a bowl, dish,platter Definition: prop...
5165. trublion -- a bowl, dish
... a bowl, dish. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: trublion Phonetic Spelling:
(troob'-lee-on) Short Definition: aplatter Definition: a deep dish...
Strong's Hebrew
7086. qearah -- a dish,platter... 7085, 7086. qearah. 7087 . a dish,
platter. Transliteration: qearah Phonetic
Spelling: (keh-aw-raw') Short Definition: dish. Word
...6745. tselachah -- a pot (for cooking)
... pan. From tsalach; something protracted or flattened out, ie Aplatter -- pan. see
HEBREW tsalach. 6744, 6745. tselachah. 6746 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xi. 39, "Now do Ye Pharisees...
... Sermon LVI. On the words of the Gospel, Luke xi. 39, "Now do ye Pharisees cleanse
the outside of the cup and theplatter," etc. [CVI. Ben.]...
Matt. xxiii. 14
... what? "Ye make clean," He saith, "the outside of the cup and theplatter,
but within they are full of extortion, and injustice....
But Now, what it is Necessary for Me to Say on the Subject of The....
... Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of
theplatter, but within they are full of uncleanness. Or...
Discourse of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees.
... "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of
the cup and of theplatter, but within they are full from extortion and excess....
The Death of John the Baptist.
... And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, "I will
that thou forthwith give me on aplatter the head of John the Baptist."....
Outward and Inward Purity.
... However, to the hypocrites he said, Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,
for ye make clean the outside of the cup and theplatter, but the inside is...
Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... They set tofore him aplatter full of coals burning, and aplatter full of cherries,
and bade him eat, and he took and put the hot coals in his mouth and...
Choosing the Tens
... From another tile-platter at hand she took several round slices of durra bread and
proceeded to toast them with much skill, tilting the hot tile and casting...
And when Jesus Entered the Temple, they Brought unto Him Blind And...
... hypocrites! because ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of theplatter,
while the inside of them is full of injustice and wrong....
The Social Test of Religion
... Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the
cup and of theplatter, but within they are full from extortion and excess....
Thesaurus
Platter (20 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
PLATTER. plat'-er: (1) qe`arah, "a deep dish"
(Numbers 7:13, 84, 85).
... Multi-Version Concordance
Platter (20 Occurrences).
...Shekel (37 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silverplatter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel...
Flour (69 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silverplatter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel...
Bowl (44 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silverplatter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel...
Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silverplatter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel...
Shekels (92 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silverplatter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel...
Charger (17 Occurrences)
... The "charger" in which the Baptist's head was presented was aplatter or
flat wooden trencher (Matthew 14:8, 11; Mark 6:25, 28)....
Meal-offering (120 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his oblation was one silverplatter, the weight whereof was a hundred
and thirty'shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel...
Cereal (124 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silverplatter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel...
Weight (143 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silverplatter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel...
Resources
Who was Herodias in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Herod Antipas? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was John the Baptist beheaded? | GotQuestions.orgPlatter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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