In biblical times, platters were common household items used for serving and presenting food. They are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, often symbolizing hospitality, abundance, and sometimes, spiritual lessons.

Old Testament References

Platters, as part of the dining customs in ancient Israel, were typically made of materials such as clay, wood, or metal. While the Old Testament does not frequently mention platters explicitly, the concept of serving dishes is implied in the descriptions of feasts and offerings. For example, during the construction of the Tabernacle, various utensils, including dishes, were crafted for use in the service of the Lord (Exodus 25:29). These items were integral to the rituals and daily life of the Israelites.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, platters are mentioned more directly, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 23:25-26 , Jesus uses the imagery of a cup and platter to criticize the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy: "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." Here, the platter serves as a metaphor for the outward appearance of righteousness that conceals inner corruption.

Similarly, in Luke 11:39 , Jesus addresses the Pharisees: "Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness." This teaching emphasizes the importance of inner purity over mere external observance of religious rituals.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

Platters in biblical times were not only functional but also held cultural significance. They were often used in communal meals, which were central to social and religious life. Sharing a meal from a common platter symbolized fellowship and unity among participants. In the context of the Passover meal, for instance, the use of shared dishes underscored the collective identity and shared history of the Israelites.

The symbolic use of platters in Jesus' teachings highlights the broader biblical theme of inner transformation and sincerity in one's relationship with God. The emphasis on cleaning the inside of the platter serves as a call to genuine repentance and moral integrity, aligning one's inner life with outward actions.

Conclusion

In summary, platters in the Bible are more than mere household items; they are imbued with cultural, religious, and symbolic meanings. They serve as a powerful metaphor in Jesus' teachings, challenging believers to pursue true righteousness that emanates from a pure heart.

Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the Self ...
... They have one single fire in public"on the altars; no water even in their platters.
There is, I believe, a Ninevitan suspension of business! ...
/.../chapter xvi instances from scripture of.htm

That Evening Vergilius Went to Feast with the Young Herodian ...
... On platters of silver and gold one might have seen tunny fishes from Chalcedon,
murcenas from the Straits of Gades, peacocks from Samos, grouse from Phrygia ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 4 that evening vergilius.htm

Discourse Pronounced at a Feast against the Hypocrisy of the ...
... The two members are more complete in Matthew: "Ye make clean the outside of the
cups and platters, but inwardly they are full of extortion and wickedness," ie ...
/.../section 166 discourse pronounced at.htm

Petilianus Said: "Imitate Indeed the Prophets, who Feared to have ...
... washed with the sacrament of baptism, except so far as the Pharisees almost every
moment bathed themselves, and their couches and cups and platters, with the ...
/.../chapter 103 234 petilianus.htm

History and Doctrines of Heresies.
... of the soul; and the Hemerobaptists, who every day, unless they wash, do not
eat,"nay, and unless they cleanse their beds and tables, or platters and cups ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii history and doctrines of.htm

A Solemn Warning for all Churches
... Go and whitewash, for the life is gone. Garnish the outside of your cups
and platters; but ye have lost the pure word of God. Ye ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/a solemn warning for all.htm

The First Miracle in Cana --The Water Made Wine
... And when the world's platters are empty, and the world's cups are all drained dry,
He will feed and satisfy the immortal hunger and the blessed thirst of every ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first miracle in canathe.htm

The Commandments
... of dead men's bones. They are like platters and cups outwardly clean, but
containing unclean things of every kind. They are like ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part secondthe commandments.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... vipers, and blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel, or sepulchres
foul within, in spite of our external comeliness, or platters outwardly clean ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Platters (2 Occurrences)
...Platters (2 Occurrences). ... Ezra 1:9 This is the number of them: thirty platters of
gold, one thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives, (WEB ASV). ...
/p/platters.htm - 7k

Pans (19 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:84 This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed,
by the princes of Israel: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls ...
/p/pans.htm - 12k

29 (2 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ezra 1:9 This is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, one
thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives, (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/29.htm - 6k

30 (5 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ezra 1:9 This is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, one
thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives, (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/30.htm - 7k

1000 (7 Occurrences)
... Ezra 1:9 This is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, one thousand
platters of silver, twenty-nine knives, (See NAS). Ezra ...
/num/1000.htm - 8k

Knives (12 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Ezra 1:9 This is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, one thousand
platters of silver, twenty-nine knives, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT). ...
/k/knives.htm - 10k

Twenty-nine (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). Ezra 1:9 This is the number of them: thirty platters
of gold, one thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives, (WEB BBE RSV). ...
/t/twenty-nine.htm - 8k

Duplicates (1 Occurrence)
... Duplicates (1 Occurrence). Ezra 1:9 This is the number of them: thirty platters
of gold, one thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives, (See NAS). ...
/d/duplicates.htm - 6k

Nine (55 Occurrences)
... Ezra 1:9 This is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, one thousand platters
of silver, twenty-nine knives, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/n/nine.htm - 22k

Platter (20 Occurrences)

/p/platter.htm - 15k

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