In biblical times, the term "platter" refers to a large, flat dish or serving vessel used for presenting food. The concept of a platter is mentioned in various contexts within the Bible, often symbolizing abundance, hospitality, and sometimes, spiritual lessons.

Old Testament Context

While the specific term "platter" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the concept of serving dishes is present in the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel. Feasts and offerings often involved the use of large dishes or platters to present food, as seen in the detailed descriptions of sacrificial meals and communal feasts. These vessels were typically made from materials such as clay, bronze, or silver, depending on the wealth and status of the host.

New Testament References

The New Testament provides more direct references to platters, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the imagery of a platter to convey a moral lesson about inner purity versus outward appearance. In Matthew 23:25-26 , Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and scribes, saying, "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."

This passage highlights the importance of inner righteousness over mere external compliance with religious rituals. The "dish" or "platter" serves as a metaphor for the human heart, emphasizing that true cleanliness and holiness begin from within.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

In the cultural context of the Bible, sharing a meal was a significant act of fellowship and community. Platters, as central elements of a shared meal, symbolized hospitality and the provision of sustenance. The act of serving food on a platter was not only a practical necessity but also a gesture of welcome and generosity.

The symbolic use of platters in Jesus' teachings underscores the broader biblical theme of integrity and authenticity in one's spiritual life. Just as a platter should be clean both inside and out, so should a person's life reflect genuine faith and purity.

Conclusion

The concept of a platter in the Bible, while seemingly mundane, carries rich symbolic meaning. It serves as a reminder of the importance of inner purity and the call to live a life of genuine faith and righteousness. Through the imagery of a platter, the Bible communicates timeless truths about the nature of true holiness and the essence of Christian living.1. (n.) One who plats or braids.

2. (n.) A large plate or shallow dish on which meat or other food is brought to the table.

PLATTER

plat'-er:

(1) qe`arah, "a deep dish" (Numbers 7:13, 84, 85). In the King James Version and the English Revised Version "charger," the American Standard Revised Version "platter" (compare Exodus 25:29; Exodus 37:16); the Septuagint trublion, and in the New Testament rendered "dish" (Matthew 26:23 Mark 14:20). In Ezra 1:9, the American Standard Revised Version agharTal, rendered "platter," the King James Version and the English Revised Version "chargers"; probably a deep dish or basin used in sacrificial slaughter.

(2) paropsis, originally a side dish, for relishes, entrees, but of dishes for food, in general, especially meats, fish, etc., used with poterion, "cup" or "drinking vessel" (Matthew 23:25 f); also pinax, originally a large wooden dish or plate (Luke 11:39); rendered "charger" in Matthew 14:8, 11 the King James Version, and Mark 6:25, 28 the King James Version and the English Revised Version.

Edward Bagby Pollard

4094. pinax -- a board, dish
... a board, dish. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: pinax Phonetic Spelling:
(pin'-ax) Short Definition: a plate, platter Definition: a plate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4094.htm - 6k

3953. paropsis -- a side dish of delicacies
... of delicacies. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paropsis Phonetic
Spelling: (par-op-sis') Short Definition: a bowl, dish, platter Definition: prop ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3953.htm - 6k

5165. trublion -- a bowl, dish
... a bowl, dish. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: trublion Phonetic Spelling:
(troob'-lee-on) Short Definition: a platter Definition: a deep dish ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5165.htm - 6k

7086. qearah -- a dish, platter
... 7085, 7086. qearah. 7087 . a dish, platter. Transliteration: qearah Phonetic
Spelling: (keh-aw-raw') Short Definition: dish. Word ...
/hebrew/7086.htm - 6k

6745. tselachah -- a pot (for cooking)
... pan. From tsalach; something protracted or flattened out, ie A platter -- pan. see
HEBREW tsalach. 6744, 6745. tselachah. 6746 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6745.htm - 6k

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xi. 39, "Now do Ye Pharisees ...
... Sermon LVI. On the words of the Gospel, Luke xi. 39, "Now do ye Pharisees cleanse
the outside of the cup and the platter," etc. [CVI. Ben.] ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lvi on the words.htm

Matt. xxiii. 14
... what? "Ye make clean," He saith, "the outside of the cup and the platter,
but within they are full of extortion, and injustice. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxiii matt xxiii 14.htm

But Now, what it is Necessary for Me to Say on the Subject of The. ...
... Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of
the platter, but within they are full of uncleanness. Or ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/21 but now what it.htm

Discourse of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees.
... "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of
the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/discourse of jesus against the.htm

The Death of John the Baptist.
... And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, "I will
that thou forthwith give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the death of john the.htm

Outward and Inward Purity.
... However, to the hypocrites he said, Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites,
for ye make clean the outside of the cup and the platter, but the inside is ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xix outward and inward purity.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... They set tofore him a platter full of coals burning, and a platter full of cherries,
and bade him eat, and he took and put the hot coals in his mouth and ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm

Choosing the Tens
... From another tile-platter at hand she took several round slices of durra bread and
proceeded to toast them with much skill, tilting the hot tile and casting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter i choosing the tens.htm

And when Jesus Entered the Temple, they Brought unto Him Blind And ...
... hypocrites! because ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter,
while the inside of them is full of injustice and wrong. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xl and when jesus.htm

The Social Test of Religion
... Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the
cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess. ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter ix the social test.htm

Platter (20 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PLATTER. plat'-er: (1) qe`arah, "a deep dish"
(Numbers 7:13, 84, 85). ... Multi-Version Concordance Platter (20 Occurrences). ...
/p/platter.htm - 15k

Shekel (37 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel ...
/s/shekel.htm - 23k

Flour (69 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel ...
/f/flour.htm - 32k

Bowl (44 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel ...
/b/bowl.htm - 26k

Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel ...
/s/sprinkling.htm - 29k

Shekels (92 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel ...
/s/shekels.htm - 37k

Charger (17 Occurrences)
... The "charger" in which the Baptist's head was presented was a platter or
flat wooden trencher (Matthew 14:8, 11; Mark 6:25, 28). ...
/c/charger.htm - 14k

Meal-offering (120 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his oblation was one silver platter, the weight whereof was a hundred
and thirty'shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel ...
/m/meal-offering.htm - 40k

Cereal (124 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel ...
/c/cereal.htm - 36k

Weight (143 Occurrences)
... Numbers 7:13 and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one
hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel ...
/w/weight.htm - 43k

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