A caldron, also spelled cauldron, is a large metal pot used for cooking or boiling over an open flame. In biblical times, caldrons were essential household and temple items, used for preparing food and sacrificial offerings. The term appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, symbolizing both practical and spiritual elements of ancient life.

Old Testament References

The caldron is mentioned in several Old Testament passages, often in relation to the tabernacle and temple services. In 1 Samuel 2:14, the sons of Eli, the priest, are described as taking meat from the caldrons by force, illustrating their corruption and disregard for the sacrificial system: "And he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh."

In 2 Chronicles 35:13, during the observance of Passover under King Josiah, caldrons were used to prepare the sacrificial lambs: "They roasted the Passover lambs over the fire according to the regulation, and they boiled the holy offerings in pots, caldrons, and pans and served them quickly to all the people."

Symbolic Usage

The caldron also appears in prophetic and symbolic contexts. In Jeremiah 1:13, the prophet Jeremiah sees a vision of a boiling caldron, symbolizing impending judgment from the north: "Again the word of the LORD came to me, asking, 'What do you see?' 'I see a boiling pot,' I replied, 'and it is tilting away from the north.'"

This imagery of a boiling caldron is used to convey the intensity and inevitability of God's judgment, emphasizing the seriousness of Israel's disobedience and the certainty of divine retribution.

Cultural and Religious Significance

In the ancient Near Eastern culture, caldrons were not only practical tools but also held religious significance. They were integral to the preparation of offerings, which were central to the worship practices of the Israelites. The use of caldrons in sacrificial rituals underscores the importance of purity and obedience in worship, as well as the communal aspect of sharing meals in the presence of God.

The caldron, therefore, serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience and reverence are paramount. It also highlights the provision and sustenance that God offers, both physically and spiritually, to those who follow His commandments.

Conclusion

While the caldron may seem like a mundane object, its presence in the biblical narrative is rich with meaning, reflecting both the daily life and the spiritual journey of the Israelites. Through its practical use and symbolic representation, the caldron offers insight into the worship practices and theological themes of the Bible.(n.) A large kettle or boiler of copper, brass, or iron. [Written also cauldron.]CALDRON

kol'-drun (the rendering of qallachath, cir, dudh 'aghmon): Qallachath is found only in 1 Samuel 2:14 Micah 3:3. It is a pot for cooking, of undefined size and characteristics, in the former passage for sanctuary use, in the latter for domestic. Cir is translated caldron in Jeremiah 1:13 (Revised Versions); Jeremiah 52:18 f(the King James Version); Ezekiel 11:3, 7, 11. It was distinctly a large pot, employed both for domestic use and in the sanctuary. Dudh is translated caldron only in 2 Chronicles 35:13. It was also a pot for cooking. 'Aghmon is translated caldron by the King James Version in Job 41:20, but it is a mistranslation; the Revised Version (British and American) correctly has "rushes."

George Ricker Berry

7037. qallachath -- a caldron
... 7036, 7037. qallachath. 7038 . a caldron. Transliteration: qallachath
Phonetic Spelling: (kal-lakh'-ath) Short Definition: caldron. ...
/hebrew/7037.htm - 6k

5518. ciyr -- a pot
... 5517, 5518. ciyr. 5518a . a pot. Transliteration: ciyr Phonetic Spelling:
(seer) Short Definition: caldron. caldron, fishhook, pan, washpot, thorn ...
/hebrew/5518.htm - 5k

1731. dud -- a pot, jar
... 1), kettles (1), pot (1). basket, caldron, kettle, seething pot. From the
same as dowd; a pot (for boiling); also (by resemblance ...
/hebrew/1731.htm - 6k

100. agmon -- a rush, bulrush
... Word Origin from the same as agam Definition a rush, bulrush NASB Word Usage bulrush
(2), reed (1), rope (1), rushes (1). bulrush, caldron, hook, rush. ...
/hebrew/100.htm - 6k

3595. kiyyor -- pot, basin
... Or kiyor {kee-yore'}; from the same as kuwr; properly, something round (as excavated
or bored), ie A chafing-dish for coals or a caldron for cooking; hence ...
/hebrew/3595.htm - 6k

The Oracles.
... tripod."The oracle of Dodona."The two black doves."The priestesses of Dodona."Manner
of obtaining responses."The great brazen caldron."The Oasis of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vi the oracles.htm

Patmos
... John was cast into a caldron of boiling oil; but the Lord preserved the life of
His faithful servant, even as He preserved the three Hebrews in the fiery ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 56 patmos.htm

The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ...
... Explore not then too curiously the shrines of impiety, or the mouths of caverns
full of monstrosity, or the Thesprotian caldron, or the Cirrh??an tripod, or ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ii the absurdity and impiety.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... art thou seeing? And I said, A caldron boiling and its face is from (?)
the North.(130) And the Lord said unto me:". Out of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... suffer a sinner to do what he wills, and to give his lusts unbridled headway, and
you have secured him boundless misery; only allow the seething caldron of his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Book Three the Story of his Student Days in Carthage, his ...
... and to God. CHAPTER I. 1. I came to Carthage, where a caldron of unholy
loves was seething and bubbling all around me. I was not ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book three the story of.htm

The Release of Hope. (xxiv, xxix. )
... of bad figs, which the Lord, he says, caused me to see: a vision which I take to
be as physical and actual as those of the almond-rod and the caldron upon his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 the release of hope.htm

Parables. (xiii, xviii-xx, xxxv. )
... A word from the Lord flashed through his eyes upon his mind, just as in his
first visions of the almond-blossom and the caldron.(349). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 parables xiii xviii-xx xxxv.htm

God.
... the branch of an almond tree ... a caldron boiling. That was characteristic
of his encounters and intercourse with the Deity throughout. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 god.htm

The Primitive Church.
... John, and caused him to be put into a caldron of boiling oil; but the martyr in
will, though not in deed, felt no hurt, and was thereupon banished to the ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxiv the primitive church.htm

Caldron (11 Occurrences)
...CALDRON. ... Cir is translated caldron in Jeremiah 1:13 (Revised Versions); Jeremiah
52:18 f(the King James Version); Ezekiel 11:3, 7, 11. ...
/c/caldron.htm - 10k

Kettle (2 Occurrences)
... The same Hebrew word (dud, "boiling") is rendered also "pot" (Psalm 81:6), "caldron"
(2 Chronicles 35:13), "basket" (Jeremiah 24:2). It was used for preparing ...
/k/kettle.htm - 8k

Pot (46 Occurrences)
... So 2 Kings 4:38;; Exodus 16:3 Jeremiah 1:13 the King James Version; Ezekiel 11:3,
7, 11, "caldron"; 24:3, 6 the King James Version; Micah 3:3 Zechariah 14:21 ...
/p/pot.htm - 25k

Rust (7 Occurrences)
... The copper of the caldron oxidizes and scales off in black or brownish scales, or
rust. ios, was used in Greek to denote the corroding of metals. ...
/r/rust.htm - 11k

Scum (4 Occurrences)
... word is only found in Ezekiel 24:6, 11, 12, where the Revised Version (British and
American) translates it "rust." The fact, however, that the caldron is of ...
/s/scum.htm - 8k

Pan (26 Occurrences)
... (Root in KJV WBS YLT). 1 Samuel 2:14 and he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or
caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest took therewith. ...
/p/pan.htm - 20k

Quarter (33 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The fourth of a ton in weight, or eight bushels of grain; as, a quarter
of wheat; also, the fourth part of a caldron of coal. ...
/q/quarter.htm - 21k

Vigorously (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 24:5 Take the choice of the flock, and also a pile of wood for the bones
under the caldron; make it boil well; yes, let its bones be boiled in its midst ...
/v/vigorously.htm - 7k

Logs (12 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 24:5 Take the choice of the flock, and also a pile of wood for the bones
under the caldron; make it boil well; yes, let its bones be boiled in its midst ...
/l/logs.htm - 9k

Caldron: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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