Cruse
Summary
A small earthen vessel or flask used for holding liquids such as water, oil, or honey in ancient Israel.
☩Types of Cruses
Several Hebrew words are translated 'cruse' in Scripture, referring to different types of vessels. The tsappachath was a shallow cup or flask for holding water or oil, likely a globular vessel of blue porous clay about nine inches in diameter with a neck and small spout. The bakbuk (from the gurgling sound when emptying) was probably a bottle for liquids like honey. The tselochith was a flat metal saucer or dish rather than a flask.
☩Biblical Accounts
The cruse of water at Saul's head when David spared his life was likely the common water vessel that travelers carried. Elijah also had a cruse of water placed at his head by an angel. The widow of Zarephath's cruse of oil, which miraculously did not fail during the famine, was probably a similar globular vessel. In the New Testament, the 'alabaster cruse' (often translated 'box') that the woman used to anoint Jesus was a small vial or flask for precious ointment.
Related Verses9 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Cruse," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Cruse," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Cruse," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).