Lexical Summary keramikos: Made of clay, earthenware Original Word: κεραμικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of a potter, of clayFrom keramos; made of clay, i.e. Earthen -- of a potter. see GREEK keramos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom keramos Definition earthen NASB Translation potter (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2764: κεραμικόςκεραμικός, κεραμικη, κεραμικον (κέραμος); 1. in classical Greek of or belonging to a potter: hence, κεραμικη γῆ, such as a potter uses, Hippocrates; τέχνη, Plato, polit., p. 288 a. 2. in the Bible made of clay, earthen: Revelation 2:27 (Daniel 2:41), for which the Greeks use κεραμεοῦς, κεραμεα, κεραμεουν, and κεραμιος (others κεραμειος), cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 147; (Winer's Grammar, 99 (94)). The single New Testament appearance of κεραμικὰ (Strong’s 2764) places the reader in the world of clay pottery—common, fragile, and easily shattered. From Genesis onward, clay imagery highlights humanity’s humble origin (Genesis 2:7) and the Creator’s sovereign artistry. Pottery provides a vivid metaphor for both divine nurture and decisive judgment. Occurrence in Revelation 2:27 “To the one who overcomes … ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery’ ” (Revelation 2:26-27). Here clay vessels symbolize rebellious nations that will not stand against the Messiah’s authority. The overcomer shares Christ’s delegated right to “shatter” resistance, echoing Psalm 2:9. The adjective κεραμικὰ underscores how effortlessly an iron rod splinters earthenware—an image of total, irreversible judgment. Old Testament Background 1. Psalm 2:9 forms the foundation: “You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery”. Symbolism of Clay and Pottery Fragility: Clay vessels crack under minimal force, depicting human frailty (Job 10:9). Commonness: Everyday pots stress the ordinary setting of God’s dealings (Lamentations 4:2). Purity and Disposal: Once contaminated, earthenware was broken, pointing to the seriousness of sin (Leviticus 6:28). Divine Sovereignty: The potter-clay motif proclaims God’s right to form destinies (Romans 9:21). Christological Implications Revelation 2:27 certifies that Jesus inherits Psalm 2’s royal prerogative. His authority is both protective and punitive—protective toward the faithful who become “co-rulers,” punitive toward obstinate opposition. The image validates the final victory of Christ’s kingdom and anticipates His millennial and eternal reign. Ecclesial and Ethical Lessons 1. Assurance of Vindication: Persecuted believers in Thyatira, and by extension all saints, receive confidence that evil structures will crumble. Applications for Ministry • Preaching: Use the pottery motif to contrast worldly permanence with divine supremacy. Related Scriptures for Further Study Genesis 2:7; Psalm 2:9; Isaiah 29:16; Jeremiah 18:1-10; Lamentations 4:2; Romans 9:20-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Revelation 2:26-27; Revelation 19:15. Summary Strong’s 2764 directs attention to the clay vessel, a timeless emblem of human frailty and divine mastery. In Revelation 2:27 it dramatizes the certainty of Christ’s triumph and the believer’s share in His rule, urging humble perseverance until the Potter brings every vessel into its appointed destiny. |
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