Pitcher
Pitcher
in the A.V. represents the following words in the original:
1. , kad; Sept. ; Vulg. hydria, lagena; akin to Sanscrit kut and ; rendered barrel (1Ki 17:12; 1Ki 18:33).
2. and , nebel; Sept. ; Vulg. vas; A.V. bottle, only once a pitcher (Lam 4:2); where it is joined with , an earthen vessel (Gesen. Thesaur. p. 522).
3. In the N.T. , twice only (Mar 14:13; Luk 22:10). It denotes the water-jars or pitchers with one or two handles, used chiefly by women for carrying water, as in the story of Rebecca (Gen 24:15-20; but see Mar 14:13; Luk 22:10). This practice has been and is still usual both in the East and elsewhere. The vessels used for the purpose are generally carried on the head or on the shoulder. The Bedawin women commonly use skin-bottles. Such was the bottle carried by Hagar (Gen 21:14; Harmer, Obs. 4:246; Layard, Nin. and Bab. p. 578; Roberts, Sketches, pl. 164; Arvieux, Trav. p. 203; Burckhardt, Notes on Bed. 1, 351; Thomson, Lend and Book, 2, 379). The same word kad is used of the pitchers employed by Gideon’s 300 men (Jdg 7:16), where the use made of them marks the material. Also the vessel (A.V. barrel) in which the meal of the Sareptan widow was contained (1 Kings 17:12), and the barrels of water used by Elijah at Mount Carmel (1Ki 18:33). It is also used figuratively of the life of man (Ecc 12:6). It is thus probable that earthen vessels were used by the Jews as they were by the Egyptians for containing both liquids and dry provisions (Birch, Anc. Pottery, 1, 43). At the Fountain of Nazareth may be seen men and women with pitchers which scarcely differ from those in use in Egypt and Nubia (Roberts, Sketches, pi. 29, 164). The water-pot of the woman of Samaria was probably one of this kind, to be distinguished from the much larger amphorae of the marriage-feast at Cana. SEE BOTTLE; SEE CRUSE; SEE EWER; SEE FLAGON; SEE POT.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Pitcher
a vessel for containing liquids. In the East pitchers were usually carried on the head or shoulders (Gen. 24:15-20; Judg. 7:16, 19; Mark 14:13).
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Pitcher
Women’s water jars with one or two handles, carried on the shoulder (Gen 24:15-20).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Pitcher
PITCHER ().An earthenware jar with one or two handles, used chiefly by women for carrying water (Gen 24:15, Jdg 7:16, ; Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 and Authorized Version pitcher). The only occurrence of the word in the Gospels is in Mar 14:13 || Luk 22:10, in the directions given by our Lord for securing a room for the Paschal meal. It has been alleged (Speak. Com. Luk 22:10 note) that the sign of the pitcher was not so accidental as it appears. According to Jewish usage, on the evening of the 13th [of the month Nisan], before the stars appeared in heaven, every father of a family was to go to the well to draw pure water, with which the unleavened bread was kneaded. It was a real rite which they performed. But apart altogether from the chronological inaccuracy,the disciples must have entered Jerusalem early in the day (Mar 14:17, Mat 26:20),this statement is not confirmed by Mar 14:14 and Luk 22:11, from which it may be inferred that the head of the house, who has been identified in turn with John Mark, Joseph of Arimathaea, and Nicodemus, is not the bearer of the pitcher.
There is, however, presumptive evidence that the pitcher was being used in the preparation of the unleavened bread, the making of which, together with the putting away of leaven from the houses, was part of the work in which many hundreds in Jerusalem (Josephus BJ vi. ix. 3) must have been employed on that day; but the demand for water for ordinary purposes alone will suggest the inference that in a city whose population was so enormously increased, the pitcher borne by this slave could pot be distinctive.
Whatever the probability of recognizing or of not recognizing the sign, the most important feature of the whole incident remains unaffected. For all time the pitcher will be a sign not of the need for secrecy and sealed orders, nor even of the prescience of Christ, though that is abundantly proved, but rather of the faith of the two disciples. Here also is presented a beautiful illustration of the co-operation of the human will with the Divine, the overruling of common events for Divine ends, a demonstration of the power that is laid under service to faith. Blessing in the ordinary affairs of life, as in the greatest crises of the soul, is attainable only by implicit and unquestioning confidence in the Master mind.
Literature.Art. Pitcher in Hasting’s Dictionary of the Bible ; S. Cox, Expositions, iv. 321; the Commentaries on the Gospels, ad locc.; the various Lives of Christ.
Alex. A. Duncan.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Pitcher
PITCHER.The earthenware jar (cf. Lam 4:2 earthen pitchers) in which in all ages the women and maidens of Palestine have drawn and carried the water from the village well (Gen 24:14 ff.). In wealthy households this task was performed by a slave or other menial (Mar 14:13, Luk 22:10). For illustrations of water-jars found in ancient cisterns, see Macalister, Bible Sidelights, etc., fig. 22, and the works cited under House, 9.
A. R. S. Kennedy.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Pitcher
picher (, kadh; , keramion): The word is found chiefly in the Old Testament in the story of Rebekah in Gen 24:13 ff; but Gideon’s men also had their lamps in pitchers (Jdg 7:16, Jdg 7:19). Ecclesiastes speaks of the pitcher broken at the fountain (Ecc 12:6). The single use in the New Testament is in Mar 14:13 parallel Luk 22:10. The pitcher was an earthenware vessel (compare Lam 4:2, nebhel), with one or two handles, used for carrying water, and commonly borne upon the head or shoulder (compare Gen 24).
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Pitcher
Earthen
Lam 4:2
Used by Gideon in his battle with the Midianites
Jdg 7:10-20
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Pitcher
Pitcher. This word is used in the Authorized Version to denote the earthen water-jars or pitchers with one or two handles, used chiefly by women for carrying water, as in the story of Rebekah. Gen 24:15-20, but see Mar 14:13; Luk 22:10.
This mode of carrying has been, and still is, customary the East and elsewhere. The vessels used for the purpose are generally borne on the head or the shoulder. The Bedouin women commonly use skin bottles. Such was the “bottle,” carried by Hagar. Gen 21:14. The same word is used of the pitchers employed by Gideon’s three hundred men. Jdg 7:16.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Pitcher
“an earthen vessel” (keramos, “potter’s clay”), “a jar” or “jug,” occurs in Mar 14:13; Luk 22:10.
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Pitcher
Jdg 7:16 (c) Probably this represents the personal plans and purposes of a human soul. These must be laid aside or broken in order that the light of GOD may shine out freely to those around. Selfishness, self-seeking and greed effectually hide the light of GOD from others.
Ecc 12:6 (c) It may be that this is a symbol of the heart of an aged person which at one time beat strong and firm but now fails in its task.
Lam 4:2 (b) Israel should have been a golden viol full of the precious promises of GOD, and rich in the experiences of GOD’s grace. Instead of that they are compared to clay, which has little value, is easily broken, and contains nothing of value.