The term "earthen" in the Bible typically refers to objects made from clay or earth, emphasizing their fragility and impermanence. This concept is often used metaphorically to describe human beings and their mortal nature, as well as the vessels used for various purposes in biblical times.

Biblical References:

1. Creation and Humanity:
The concept of earthen is foundational in the creation narrative. In Genesis 2:7 , it is written, "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." This passage highlights the earthen origin of humanity, underscoring the idea that humans are formed from the dust of the earth, a theme that recurs throughout Scripture to remind us of our humble beginnings and dependence on God.

2. Earthen Vessels:
Earthen vessels are mentioned in various contexts in the Bible, often symbolizing the frailty and temporary nature of human life. In 2 Corinthians 4:7 , the Apostle Paul writes, "Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us." Here, the "jars of clay" or "earthen vessels" represent human bodies, which, though fragile, contain the treasure of the Gospel, demonstrating that the power and glory belong to God, not to human strength.

3. Purity and Ritual Use:
In the Old Testament, earthen vessels were used in various rituals and had specific laws regarding their use and purification. Leviticus 11:33 states, "If any of them falls into a clay pot, everything in it will be unclean, and you must break the pot." This regulation reflects the porous nature of earthenware, which could absorb impurities, thus requiring destruction if contaminated. Such laws underscore the importance of purity and holiness in the worship and daily life of the Israelites.

4. Symbol of Judgment:
Earthen vessels also serve as symbols of judgment and destruction. In Jeremiah 19:11 , God instructs the prophet to break a clay jar as a sign of the impending judgment on Jerusalem: "Then you are to shatter the jar in the presence of the men who accompany you." The breaking of the jar symbolizes the shattering of the city and its people due to their disobedience and idolatry, illustrating the consequences of turning away from God.

5. Restoration and Hope:
Despite the fragility associated with earthen objects, the Bible also offers a message of hope and restoration. In Isaiah 64:8 , the prophet declares, "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand." This imagery of God as the potter and His people as the clay conveys the idea of divine sovereignty and the potential for renewal and transformation under God's guidance.

Theological Implications:

The use of "earthen" in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of human frailty and the transient nature of earthly life. It calls believers to recognize their dependence on God, who is the source of life and strength. The metaphor of earthen vessels also emphasizes the contrast between human weakness and the divine power that works through believers, encouraging humility and reliance on God's grace. Through the imagery of the potter and the clay, Scripture assures believers of God's ongoing work in their lives, shaping and molding them according to His purpose.(a.) Made of earth; made of burnt or baked clay, or other like substances; as, an earthen vessel or pipe.EARTHEN VESSELS

urth'-'-n, (cheres, yetser; ostrakinos):

These vessels were heat-resisting and were used for cooking and for boiling clothes (Leviticus 6:28; Leviticus 11:33; Leviticus 14:5, 50). They were probably non-porous and took the place of the kidri or ma'ajin used in Syria today. A traveler in the interior of Palestine may still meet with the hospitality showed to David (2 Samuel 17:28). The generous natives brought not only gifts of food but the necessary vessels in which to cook it. An earthen vessel was used to preserve a land deed (Jeremiah 32:14).

Figurative: In Jeremiah 19:1 breaking of an earthen vessel was symbolical of the destruction of Jerusalem. These vessels were also used to symbolize the commonness (Lamentations 4:2) and frailness of our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:7).

See POTTERY.

James A. Patch

3749. ostrakinos -- earthen
... earthen. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ostrakinos Phonetic Spelling:
(os-tra'-kin-os) Short Definition: made of earth Definition: made of clay ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3749.htm - 7k

2765. keramion -- an earthen vessel
... an earthen vessel. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: keramion Phonetic
Spelling: (ker-am'-ee-on) Short Definition: a pitcher, earthen vessel ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2765.htm - 6k

2764. keramikos -- earthen
... earthen. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: keramikos Phonetic Spelling:
(ker-am-ik-os') Short Definition: of clay, made by a potter Definition: of clay ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2764.htm - 6k

4713. stamnos -- an earthen jar (for racking off wine)
... an earthen jar (for racking off wine). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
stamnos Phonetic Spelling: (stam'-nos) Short Definition: a jar or vase ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4713.htm - 6k

2823. klibanos -- an oven
... oven. Of uncertain derivation; an earthen pot used for baking in -- oven. (klibanon) --
2 Occurrences. 2822, 2823. klibanos. 2824 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2823.htm - 6k

2789. cheres -- earthenware, earthen vessel, sherd, potsherd
... 2788, 2789. cheres. 2790 . earthenware, earthen vessel, sherd, potsherd.
Transliteration: cheres Phonetic Spelling: (kheh'-res) Short Definition: earthenware ...
/hebrew/2789.htm - 6k

6089. etseb -- a hurt, pain, toil
... 6088, 6089. etseb. 6089a . a hurt, pain, toil. Transliteration: etseb Phonetic
Spelling: (eh'-tseb) Short Definition: idol. earthen vessel, idol, labor, sorrow ...
/hebrew/6089.htm - 5k

3335. yatsar -- to form, fashion
... potter (9), potter's (7), potters (1). earthen, fashion, form, frame, maker,
potter, purpose. Probably identical with yatsar (through ...
/hebrew/3335.htm - 6k

The Heavenly Treasure in Earthen Vessels
... Third Series Sermon 124 The Heavenly Treasure in Earthen Vessels. "We have
this treasure in earthen vessels." 2:Cor.4:7. 1. How long ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 124 the heavenly treasure.htm

2 Timothy ii. 20, 21
... our own choice? For otherwise the earthen could not become gold, nor could
the golden descend to the vileness of the other. But in ...
/.../homily vi 2 timothy ii.htm

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians the Creator the Father of ...
... Satan, the God of This World. The Treasure in Earthen Vessels Explained Against
Marcion. The Creator's Relation to These Vessels, Ie Our Bodies. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xi the second epistle to.htm

Adam not Innocent, but Holy.
... complete. Saying that an earthen vessel must be as whole and sound as a porcelain
vase does not mean that it must become like that vase. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/x adam not innocent but.htm

Instructions to Catechumens.
... For he does not say earthen vessels: but vessels of the potter. But, give
heed: For earthen vessels when crushed would not admit ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/instructions to catechumens.htm

The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
... Christ caused the earthen vessels to be filled with water, and then turned the water
into wine (John 2:9). So when the eye, that earthen vessel, has been ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/11 the comforts belonging to.htm

Epilogue
... or corner empty seems; Here stands the brazen laver burnished, And there the golden
goblet brightly gleams; Hard by some crock of clumsy earthen ware, Massive ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/epilogue.htm

The Dark Shadow
... the Lord Jesus Christ. We have been told in these simple words of the
great treasure poured into the earthen vessel. And now we ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter li the dark shadow.htm

Sundry Other Passages of St. Paul Explained in a Sentence ...
... give the light of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord in the person of Jesus
Christ," [7572] and says that "we have this treasure in earthen vessels," [7573 ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xliv sundry other passages of.htm

Light of a Stone Most Precious
... Fresh, as if but now begun. Earthen vessels, marred, unsightly,. But the treasure
as of old,. ... With those riches of His love. Thus, through earthen vessels only,. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/light of a stone most.htm

Earthen (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Made of earth; made of burnt or baked clay, or other
like substances; as, an earthen vessel or pipe. Int. ...EARTHEN VESSELS. ...
/e/earthen.htm - 13k

Earthenware (13 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 6:28 But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken; and
if it be sodden in a brazen vessel, it shall be scoured, and rinsed in water. ...
/e/earthenware.htm - 10k

Pot (46 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A metallic or earthen vessel, appropriated to any of a great variety of
uses, as for boiling meat or vegetables, for holding liquids, for plants, etc ...
/p/pot.htm - 25k

Clay (50 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Leviticus 11:33 Every earthen vessel, into which any of them falls, all
that is in it shall be unclean, and you shall break it. (See NIV). ...
/c/clay.htm - 25k

Pottery (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The vessels or ware made by potters; earthenware,
glazed and baked. 2. (n.) The place where earthen vessels are made. Int. ...
/p/pottery.htm - 27k

Potter (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One whose occupation is to make earthen
vessels. 2. (n.) One who hawks crockery or earthenware. ...
/p/potter.htm - 28k

Wooden (18 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels,
but also wooden and earthen; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. (DBY). ...
/w/wooden.htm - 12k

Rinsed (6 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 6:28 But the earthen vessel in which it is boiled shall be broken; and
if it is boiled in a bronze vessel, it shall be scoured, and rinsed in water. ...
/r/rinsed.htm - 8k

Potter's (16 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 19:1 Thus said Yahweh, Go, and buy a potter's earthen bottle, and take
of the elders of the people, and of the elders of the priests; (WEB KJV JPS ASV ...
/p/potter's.htm - 11k

Fresh (41 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV). Leviticus 14:5 The priest shall command them to kill one
of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. (See NIV). ...
/f/fresh.htm - 21k

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