In biblical times, the jug was a common household item used for storing and pouring liquids such as water, oil, and wine. The jug, often made of clay or pottery, played a significant role in daily life and various religious practices. Its presence in Scripture provides insight into the domestic and ceremonial customs of ancient Israel.

Old Testament References

The jug is mentioned in several Old Testament passages, often in the context of hospitality and provision. In 1 Kings 17:12, during the time of drought, the widow of Zarephath tells Elijah, "As surely as the LORD your God lives, I do not have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug." Here, the jug symbolizes God's provision, as the oil miraculously does not run out during the famine.

In Genesis 24:14, Rebekah's act of drawing water from a well with a jug for Abraham's servant and his camels is a pivotal moment that leads to her becoming Isaac's wife. This scene highlights the jug's role in hospitality and divine orchestration in the lives of the patriarchs.

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not frequently mention jugs, the concept of vessels for holding liquids is present. In John 2:6, during the wedding at Cana, Jesus performs His first miracle by turning water into wine. The stone water jars used in this miracle, though not explicitly called jugs, serve a similar purpose in containing and pouring liquids.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

The jug, as a vessel, often symbolizes containment and preservation. In biblical symbolism, it can represent the human body as a vessel for the Holy Spirit, as seen in 2 Corinthians 4:7, where Paul writes, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us." Although the term "jug" is not used here, the imagery of clay vessels is akin to that of jugs.

In the cultural context of the Bible, jugs were essential for daily life, used in cooking, cleaning, and religious rituals. They were crafted with care, often decorated, and varied in size and shape depending on their intended use. The durability and functionality of jugs made them indispensable in ancient households.

Archaeological Insights

Archaeological discoveries have unearthed numerous examples of ancient jugs, providing valuable insights into the daily life and trade practices of biblical times. These artifacts reveal the craftsmanship and trade networks of ancient Israel and its neighbors, as jugs were often traded and transported across regions.

In summary, the jug in biblical times was more than a mere household item; it was a symbol of sustenance, hospitality, and divine provision. Its presence in Scripture and archaeological findings underscores its importance in the cultural and religious life of ancient Israel.1. (n.) A vessel, usually of coarse earthenware, with a swelling belly and narrow mouth, and having a handle on one side.

2. (n.) A pitcher; a ewer.

3. (n.) A prison; a jail; a lockup.

4. (v. t.) To seethe or stew, as in a jug or jar placed in boiling water; as, to jug a hare.

5. (v. t.) To commit to jail; to imprison.

6. (v. i.) To utter a sound resembling this word, as certain birds do, especially the nightingale.

7. (v. i.) To nestle or collect together in a covey; -- said of quails and partridges.

3582. xestes -- a sextarius (about a pint), a pitcher (of wood or ...
... Word Origin of Latin origin Definition a sextarius (about a pint), a pitcher
(of wood or stone) NASB Word Usage pitchers (1). a pitcher, jug. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3582.htm - 6k7184. qasah -- jug, jar
qasah or qasvah. 7183b, 7184. qasah or qasvah. 7185 . jug, jar. Transliteration:
qasah or qasvah Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-saw') Short Definition: jars. ...
/hebrew/7184.htm - 6k

6835. tsappachath -- a jar, jug
... 6834, 6835. tsappachath. 6836 . a jar, jug. Transliteration: tsappachath
Phonetic Spelling: (tsap-pakh'-ath) Short Definition: jar. ...
/hebrew/6835.htm - 5k

5035a. nebel -- a skin bottle, skin, jar, pitcher
... 5035, 5035a. nebel. 5035b . a skin bottle, skin, jar, pitcher. Transliteration:
nebel Short Definition: jug. Word Origin of uncertain ...
/hebrew/5035a.htm - 5k

4997. nod -- a skin bottle, skin
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a skin bottle, skin NASB Word
Usage bottle (2), jug (1), wineskin (1), wineskins (2). bottle. ...
/hebrew/4997.htm - 6k

New Shoes
... "I wonder if there can be a pair of shoes in it!" Little Tim sat on the ground close
beside a very ugly dark-colored stone jug. ... "Who broke my jug?" he asked. ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/new shoes.htm

A Tale About Words
... poorest food to eat. One day she gave her a heavy jug and sent her into
the forest to bring water for her sister. When the girl ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/a tale about words.htm

Elijah and the Widow's Son
... of bread with you." She replied, "As surely as Jehovah your God lives, I have nothing
baked, and only one handful of meal in the jar and a little oil in the jug ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/elijah and the widows son.htm

A Soldier who Spared his Enemy
... But now take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let us go."
So David took the spear and the jug of water from Saul's head, and they ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a soldier who spared his.htm

To the Rev. Andrew Brandram
... He listened, or seemed to listen, patiently, taking occasional copious draughts
from an immense jug of whitish wine which stood between his knees. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev andrew brandram 2.htm

Cleansing.
... hears his call. There is a jug standing beside her on the table; it is
her own, for she purchased it only last week. She picks it ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter xi cleansing.htm

An Appeal to the History of Creation True Meaning of the Term ...
... On the other hand, [6321] if we were to make such a statement as this, for example,
"In the beginning the potter made a basin or a water-jug," the word ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xix an appeal to the.htm

Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph
... I also remember that I saw Mary, who was parched with thirst as she prayed, going
down with a little jug to draw water from a fountain or cistern, and that she ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/vii marriage of the blessed.htm

Jerusalem
... Abai saith, You may learn this from hence, That it is a custom, that a man leave
his earthen jug, and also the skin of his sacrifices, to his host. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 21 jerusalem.htm

Barren Fig-Tree. Temple Cleansed.
... to use it as a thoroughfare, or short-cut from one part of the city to another,
but Jesus did not permit them to carry any sack, bag, jug, pail, basket, parcel ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cvi barren fig-tree temple cleansed.htm

Jug (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A prison; a jail; a lockup. 4. (vt) To seethe or stew, as in a jug or jar
placed in boiling water; as, to jug a hare. ...Jug (11 Occurrences). ...
/j/jug.htm - 10k

Water-jug (1 Occurrence)
Water-jug. Watering-troughs, Water-jug. Water-jugs . Multi-Version
Concordance Water-jug (1 Occurrence). John 4:28 The ...
/w/water-jug.htm - 6k

Jugglery
...jug'-ler-i goetia: The word occurs once in 2 Maccabees 12:24 the Revised Version
margin (the King James Version "craft," the Revised Version (British and ...
/j/jugglery.htm - 6k

Juel

/j/juel.htm - 6k

Large (235 Occurrences)
... constituent units; big; great; capacious; extensive; -- opposed to small; as, a
large horse; a large house or room; a large lake or pool; a large jug or spoon ...
/l/large.htm - 34k

Water-jugs (2 Occurrences)
Water-jugs. Water-jug, Water-jugs. Waterless . Multi-Version Concordance
Water-jugs (2 Occurrences). ... Water-jug, Water-jugs. Waterless . Reference Bible
/w/water-jugs.htm - 6k

Watering-troughs (2 Occurrences)
Watering-troughs. Watering-places, Watering-troughs. Water-jug . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (See JPS). Watering-places, Watering-troughs. Water-jug . ...
/w/watering-troughs.htm - 7k

Flagon (4 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version (British and American) has "flagons" in Exodus 25:29 and
37:16 as translation of qeshawoth, a golden jug or jar used in the tabernacle from ...
/f/flagon.htm - 10k

Pitcher (16 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A wide-mouthed, deep vessel for holding liquids, with a spout or protruding
lip and a handle; a water jug or jar with a large ear or handle. ...
/p/pitcher.htm - 13k

Bason (3 Occurrences)
... (2) So it is likely that the nipter was a jug, or ewer, with a dish, saucer, or
basin placed under it and combined with it to catch the dripping water. ...
/b/bason.htm - 13k

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Jug: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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