In biblical terminology, the term "vial" is often associated with containers used for holding liquids, particularly in the context of divine judgment and ritual practices. The word "vial" is most prominently featured in the Book of Revelation, where it is used to describe the containers of God's wrath.

Revelation and the Seven Vials

The Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, provides the most significant references to vials. In Revelation 16, the Apostle John describes a vision in which seven angels are given seven vials, or bowls, filled with the wrath of God. These vials are poured out upon the earth as part of the apocalyptic judgments:

1. First Vial: "So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and loathsome, malignant sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image." (Revelation 16:2)

2. Second Vial: "And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died." (Revelation 16:3)

3. Third Vial: "And the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they turned to blood." (Revelation 16:4)

4. Fourth Vial: "And the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given power to scorch the people with fire." (Revelation 16:8)

5. Fifth Vial: "And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish." (Revelation 16:10)

6. Sixth Vial: "And the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the east." (Revelation 16:12)

7. Seventh Vial: "And the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came from the throne in the temple, saying, 'It is done!'" (Revelation 16:17)

These vials symbolize the complete and final judgments of God upon a sinful world, marking the culmination of divine retribution before the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

Symbolism and Interpretation

In the context of Revelation, vials are symbolic of God's righteous anger and the execution of His justice. The imagery of pouring out vials suggests the thorough and inevitable nature of divine judgment. Each vial represents a specific aspect of God's wrath, affecting different parts of creation and humanity.

The use of vials in Revelation is often interpreted as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Day of the Lord, a time of judgment and restoration. The plagues associated with the vials echo the plagues of Egypt, drawing a parallel between the deliverance of Israel from bondage and the ultimate deliverance of God's people from sin and evil.

Old Testament References

While the specific term "vial" is not used in the Old Testament, the concept of containers for sacred or significant liquids is present. For example, in 1 Samuel 10:1, Samuel uses a vial of oil to anoint Saul as king: "Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, 'Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?'" . This anointing signifies the consecration and setting apart of individuals for God's purposes.

Conclusion

The concept of vials in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Revelation, serves as a powerful symbol of God's ultimate authority and the certainty of His judgment. Through the imagery of vials, Scripture communicates the seriousness of sin and the hope of redemption for those who remain faithful to God.1. (n.) A small bottle, usually of glass; a little glass vessel with a narrow aperture intended to be closed with a stopper; as, a vial of medicine.

2. (v. t.) To put in a vial or vials.

VIAL

vi'-al: In modern English means "a tiny flask." The word appears in English Versions of the Bible 1 Samuel 10:1 and the Revised Version (British and American) 2 Kings 9:1, 3 (the King James Version "box") for pakh, a word found nowhere else and from a root meaning "to pour." The shape and size of the pakh are quite uncertain. In 1 Esdras 2:13; and the King James Version Revelation 5:8, etc., "vial" translates phiale. The phiale was a flat, shallow bowl (Latin, patera), shaped much like a saucer. Hence, the Revised Version's change to "bowl" in Revelation, a change that should have been made in 1 Esdras also.

5357. phiale -- a (shallow) bowl
... cup, bowl, vial. Of uncertain affinity; a broad shallow cup ("phial") -- vial.
(phialas) -- 5 Occurrences. (phialen) -- 7 Occurrences. 5356, 5357. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5357.htm - 6k

211. alabastron -- a box of alabaster
... alabaster. Word Origin of foreign origin Definition a box of alabaster NASB
Word Usage alabaster vial (3), vial (1). alabaster box. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/211.htm - 6k

6378. pak -- a vial, flask
... 6377, 6378. pak. 6379 . a vial, flask. Transliteration: pak Phonetic
Spelling: (pak) Short Definition: flask. Word ... box, vial. From ...
/hebrew/6378.htm - 6k

6803. tsintseneth -- a jar
... pot. From the same as tsen; a vase (probably a vial tapering at the top) -- pot.
see HEBREW tsen. 6802, 6803. tsintseneth. 6804 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6803.htm - 6k

6746. tselochith -- a jar
... cruse. From tsalach; something prolonged or tall, ie A vial or salt-cellar -- cruse.
see HEBREW tsalach. 6745, 6746. tselochith. 6747 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6746.htm - 6k

The Second vial.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. The Second Vial. "And the second angel poured
out his bowl on the sea; and it became like the blood ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the second vial.htm

The First vial.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. The First Vial. ... The effect of the vial is "a noisome
and grievous sore;" and the only things analogous, are mental maladies. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the first vial.htm

The Seventh vial.
... The Seventh Vial. ... Consequently the effect of the vial poured out on the air, would
be universal, and not local like the effects of the previous vials. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seventh vial.htm

The Fourth vial.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. The Fourth Vial. "And the fourth angel poured out
his vial on the sun; and it was given him to burn men with fire. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the fourth vial.htm

The Sixth vial.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. The Sixth Vial. "And the sixth poured out
his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the sixth vial.htm

The Fifth vial.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. The Fifth Vial. "And the fifth angel poured
out his bowl on the throne of the wild beast; and his ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the fifth vial.htm

The Third vial.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. The Third Vial. "And the third poured out his bowl
on the rivers and on the fountains of waters; and they became blood. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the third vial.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... Consisting of the Seven Vials. xvi.1, 2. Vial I. (The Third WOE). On the earth.
Sores on Worshippers of Beast. xvi.3. Vial II. On the Sea. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse
... The Victors on the Sea of Glass. The Angels with the Seven Vials. The First Vial.
The Second Vial. The Third Vial. The Fourth Vial. The Fifth Vial. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/

The Sixth vision "In Heaven"
... H^6, Chap. xv. The Seven Vial Angels. ... The structure of the Vision is as follows:".
H^6, xv.1-8. The Sixth Vision "in Heaven." The Seven Vial Angels. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision in heaven.htm

Vial (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A small bottle, usually of glass; a little glass vessel with a narrow aperture
intended to be closed with a stopper; as, a vial of medicine. ...VIAL. ...
/v/vial.htm - 11k

Flask (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed
him, and said, "Isn't it that Yahweh has anointed you to be prince over ...
/f/flask.htm - 11k

Box (13 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew word (pak) used for it is more appropriately rendered "vial" in 1 Samuel
10:1, and should also be so rendered in 2 Kings 9:1, where alone else it ...
/b/box.htm - 13k

Cruse (11 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament a small jar or vial, alabastron, "alabaster cruse" or flask,
for holding ointment; not "box" as in the King James Version (Matthew 26:7 ...
/c/cruse.htm - 12k

Poured (155 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed
him, and said, "Isn't it that Yahweh has anointed you to be prince over ...
/p/poured.htm - 37k

Vials (5 Occurrences)

/v/vials.htm - 8k

Vexing (2 Occurrences)

/v/vexing.htm - 7k

Kissed (26 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took the vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed
him, and said, "Isn't it that Yahweh has anointed you to be prince over ...
/k/kissed.htm - 14k

Kisseth (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 10:1 And Samuel taketh the vial of the oil, and poureth on his head, and
kisseth him, and saith, 'Is it not because Jehovah hath appointed thee over ...
/k/kisseth.htm - 10k

Noisome (7 Occurrences)
... Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and
there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the ...
/n/noisome.htm - 9k

What are the seven bowls/vials of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

What is an alabaster box? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seven seals of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

Vial: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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