A water-vessel in biblical times was an essential item used for storing, carrying, and drawing water. These vessels were typically made from materials such as clay, stone, or metal, and varied in size and shape depending on their specific use. Water-vessels are mentioned throughout the Bible, serving both practical and symbolic purposes.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, water-vessels are often associated with daily life and religious rituals. For instance, in Genesis 24:14, Rebekah is described as carrying a water jar when she meets Abraham's servant at the well: "Now may it be that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who replies, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels too,’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac." This passage highlights the role of water-vessels in hospitality and divine providence.

Water-vessels were also integral to the tabernacle and temple services. In Exodus 30:18, God commands Moses to make a bronze basin for washing: "You are to make a bronze basin for washing, with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it." This basin, a type of water-vessel, was used by the priests for ceremonial purification, underscoring the importance of cleanliness and holiness in worship.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, water-vessels continue to play a significant role. At the wedding in Cana, Jesus performs His first miracle involving water-vessels. John 2:6-7 states, "Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, 'Fill the jars with water.' So they filled them to the brim." This miracle, where Jesus turns water into wine, signifies the transformation and abundance brought by Christ's ministry.

Additionally, water-vessels are mentioned in the context of daily life and teaching. In John 4:28, the Samaritan woman leaves her water jar to tell others about Jesus: "Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people." Her action symbolizes the leaving behind of old ways and embracing the living water offered by Christ.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Water-vessels in the Bible often symbolize purification, transformation, and the sustenance of life. They are vessels of both physical and spiritual nourishment. The use of water-vessels in purification rites points to the need for spiritual cleansing and preparation for encountering God. In the New Testament, the transformation of water into wine at Cana prefigures the new covenant and the joy and fulfillment found in Christ.

The imagery of water-vessels also reflects the believer's role as a vessel for God's purposes. Just as water-vessels were filled and used for specific tasks, Christians are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to serve according to God's will. As 2 Timothy 2:21 states, "If a man cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work."

In summary, water-vessels in the Bible are more than mere containers; they are rich in symbolism and integral to the narrative of God's interaction with His people. They remind believers of the necessity of spiritual cleansing, the transformative power of Christ, and the call to be vessels of honor in service to the Lord.

What do we Count them Worth?
... J. Hudson Taylor, China. SHE picked up her water-vessel, and stood surveying us
somewhat curiously. The ways of Picture-catching Missie Ammals were beyond her. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxix what do we.htm

Missed Ends
... They are here!" And, even as they spoke, in streamed the men, each with his brass
water-vessel poised on his head, and they saw us standing there. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter vi missed ends.htm

The Cry of "Snakes! Snakes!"
... As the wife of the priest came along carrying a Kalasha, a particular kind of water
vessel, which for the time, with its contents, was held to be pure and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter six the cry of.htm

Illustrations
... SHEPHERD-CASTE HOUSE 151 VELLALA CHILD 161 "UGLY DUCKLING" 178 DESIGNS IN CHALK
194 HANDMARKS ON THE DOOR 202 A "HOLY BRAHMAN" 221 WOMAN AND WATER-VESSEL 262. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wilson-carmichael/things as they are/illustrations.htm

The Manich??an System.
... teaches Mani, Primordial Man sends a Light-God in the form of a guiding Wise One,
and with him three gods, and along with these the water-vessel, clothing, head ...
/.../chapter iii name manichaean system.htm

The Elizabethan Reaction
... They tore the English Bible and Prayer-book to pieces: set up the ancient altar,
replaced the holy water vessel, and then, as the historian relates, "amidst ...
/.../studies in the book of common prayer/chapter iii the elizabethan reaction.htm

Water-vessel (14 Occurrences)
Water-vessel. Water-town, Water-vessel. Water-vessels . Multi-Version
Concordance Water-vessel (14 Occurrences). Genesis ...
/w/water-vessel.htm - 10k

Wheeled (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 16:17 And King Ahaz took off the sides of the wheeled bases, and took down
the great water-vessel from off the brass oxen which were under it and put ...
/w/wheeled.htm - 8k

Metal (69 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 7:23 And he made a great metal water-vessel ten cubits across from
edge to edge, five cubits high and thirty cubits round. (BBE NAS NIV). ...
/m/metal.htm - 30k

Facing (79 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:39 And he put the bases by the house, five on the right side and five
on the left; and he put the great water-vessel on the right side of the house ...
/f/facing.htm - 31k

Liquid (15 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 4:3 And under it was a design of flowers all round it, ten to a cubit,
circling the water-vessel in two lines; they were made from liquid metal at ...
/l/liquid.htm - 11k

Lines (42 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 4:3 And under it was a design of flowers all round it, ten to a cubit,
circling the water-vessel in two lines; they were made from liquid metal at ...
/l/lines.htm - 19k

Flowers (42 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 4:3 And under it was a design of flowers all round it, ten to a cubit,
circling the water-vessel in two lines; they were made from liquid metal at ...
/f/flowers.htm - 22k

Chaldaeans (65 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:13 And the brass pillars in the house of the Lord, and the wheeled bases,
and the great brass water-vessel in the house of the Lord, were broken up ...
/c/chaldaeans.htm - 28k

Design (84 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 4:3 And under it was a design of flowers all round it, ten to a cubit,
circling the water-vessel in two lines; they were made from liquid metal at ...
/d/design.htm - 33k

Water-town (2 Occurrences)
Water-town. Watertight, Water-town. Water-vessel . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Watertight, Water-town. Water-vessel . Reference Bible.
/w/water-town.htm - 6k

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