In biblical times, a pouch was a small bag or sack used for carrying various items, often tied to a belt or slung over the shoulder. The term "pouch" is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, but similar items such as bags, sacks, and purses are referenced, serving similar purposes. These containers were essential for daily life, used for carrying money, provisions, or other personal belongings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, pouches or similar items were commonly used by travelers and shepherds. For instance, David, before his encounter with Goliath, took his shepherd's bag, which likely functioned as a pouch, to carry stones for his sling. "Then he took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:40). This passage illustrates the practical use of a pouch for carrying essential items needed for a specific task.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of a pouch is often associated with the carrying of money or provisions. Jesus instructed His disciples regarding their journey and reliance on God's provision: "Do not carry a money bag, a traveler’s bag, or sandals; and do not greet anyone along the road" (Luke 10:4). Here, the "traveler’s bag" can be understood as a type of pouch used for carrying necessities. This instruction emphasized the disciples' dependence on God and the hospitality of those they would encounter.

Symbolic and Spiritual Significance

The use of pouches in biblical narratives often carries symbolic meaning. For example, the act of carrying a pouch can represent preparedness and resourcefulness, as seen in the account of David. Conversely, Jesus' instruction to His disciples to travel without a pouch underscores a spiritual lesson in trust and reliance on divine provision rather than material possessions.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Near Eastern culture, pouches were typically made from leather or cloth and varied in size depending on their intended use. They were an essential part of daily attire, especially for those who traveled frequently or worked in fields and pastures. The design and material of a pouch could also indicate the social status or occupation of the owner.

Conclusion

While the specific term "pouch" may not be prevalent in biblical texts, the concept is integral to understanding the daily life and spiritual lessons conveyed in Scripture. Pouches, as practical items, serve as a backdrop for deeper theological teachings about trust, provision, and readiness in the service of God.1. (n.) A small bag; usually, a leathern bag; as, a pouch for money; a shot pouch; a mail pouch, etc.

2. (n.) That which is shaped like, or used as, a pouch

3. (n.) A protuberant belly; a paunch; -- so called in ridicule.

4. (n.) A sac or bag for carrying food or young; as, the cheek pouches of certain rodents, and the pouch of marsupials.

5. (n.) A cyst or sac containing fluid.

6. (n.) A silicle, or short pod, as of the shepherd's purse.

7. (n.) A bulkhead in the hold of a vessel, to prevent grain, etc., from shifting.

8. (v. t.) To put or take into a pouch.

9. (v. t.) To swallow; -- said of fowls.

10. (v. t.) To pout.

11. (v. t.) To pocket; to put up with.

4082. pera -- a leather pouch
... a leather pouch. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pera Phonetic Spelling:
(pay'-rah) Short Definition: a sack, wallet Definition: a sack, wallet ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4082.htm - 6k

905. ballantion -- a purse
... bag, purse. Probably remotely from ballo (as a depository); a pouch (for money) --
bag, purse. see GREEK ballo. (ballantia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/905.htm - 6k

6872a. tseror -- a bundle, parcel, pouch, bag
... 6872, 6872a. tseror. 6872b . a bundle, parcel, pouch, bag. Transliteration:
tseror Short Definition: bag. Word Origin from tsarar ...
/hebrew/6872a.htm - 5k

2833. choshen -- breastpiece, sacred pouch
... 2832, 2833. choshen. 2834 . breastpiece, sacred pouch. Transliteration: choshen
Phonetic Spelling: (kho'-shen) Short Definition: breastpiece. ...
/hebrew/2833.htm - 6k

6872. tsrowr -- a bundle, parcel, pouch, bag
... 6871, 6872. tsrowr. 6872a . a bundle, parcel, pouch, bag. Transliteration:
tsrowr Phonetic Spelling: (tser-ore') Short Definition: bag. ...
/hebrew/6872.htm - 5k

3219. yalqut -- receptacle, perhaps a wallet
... 3218, 3219. yalqut. 3220 . receptacle, perhaps a wallet. Transliteration: yalqut
Phonetic Spelling: (yal-koot') Short Definition: pouch. ... a travelling pouch. ...
/hebrew/3219.htm - 6k

The Fort Sumter Expedition
... came upon the platform. Sergeant Hart took from a mail-pouch the old flag
and fastened it to the halyards. Major Anderson, taking ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/the fort sumter expedition.htm

An Appreciation of John Wesley's Journal
... Oxford, where he supported himself by devices known to his tribe, and when he left
the university to be ordained he had clear in his pouch, after discharging ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/an appreciation of john wesleys.htm

The Northern Mountains
... part; but one had only to see them begin to move, long, lithe, and light as deer-
hounds, in their flannel shirts and trousers, with cutlass and pouch at their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

High Priest
... priest, the breast-plate (rationale); a gorget, ten inches square, made of the same
sort of cloth as the ephod, and doubled so as to form a kind of pouch or bag ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

The Purification of Mary
... Inside his robe he had a kind of pouch, in which he carried a quantity of
little thin shining yellow leaves rolled up in each other. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the purification of mary.htm

Mosaic Cosmogony.
... traces of birds appear, and somewhat later those of mammals, but of the lowest class
belonging to that division, namely, the marsupial or pouch-bearing animals ...
/.../temple/essays and reviews the education of the world/mosaic cosmogony.htm

The Blossoming Desert.
... distant port, Si-boo would be busy at work on his beads; but as soon as we reached
our destination, the beads and tools were thrust into his pouch, and with ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/vii the blossoming desert.htm

The Hardness of the Way.
... world, and all that is in the world, drops and slips, from his feet, from his hands,
carrying with it his body, his eyes, his ears, every pouch, every coffer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the hardness of the way.htm

A Discourse which was in the Presence of Antoninus C??sar
... [3558] Cureton: "sacks full." The first word is used of a leathern pouch or wallet,
as in Luke 10:4 (Peshito) for pera. [3559] Lit., "they became.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/i a discourse which was.htm

Monos
... in lordly flight, paused, gave a sudden half-turn, then fell into the water with
widespread wings, and after a splash, rose with another skipjack in their pouch ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vi monos.htm

Pouch (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A small bag; usually, a leathern bag; as, a pouch for money; a shot pouch;
a mail pouch, etc. 2. (n.) That which is shaped like, or used as, a pouch. ...
/p/pouch.htm - 7k

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)
... prest: The Hebrew word choshen, rendered in the King James Version "breastplate,"
means really a "pouch" or "bag." The references to it are found exclusively ...
/b/breastplate.htm - 24k

Priest (500 Occurrences)
... prest: The Hebrew word choshen, rendered in the King James Version "breastplate,"
means really a "pouch" or "bag." The references to it are found exclusively ...
/p/priest.htm - 88k

Pelican (5 Occurrences)
... known. They have an enormous bill, to the lower edge of which is attached
a pouch in which captured fishes are temporarily stored. ...
/p/pelican.htm - 11k

Pocket (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A bag or pouch; especially; a small bag inserted in a garment for carrying
small articles, particularly money; hence, figuratively, money; wealth. ...
/p/pocket.htm - 8k

Bag (52 Occurrences)
... 6; 13:29). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A sack or pouch, used for
holding anything; as, a bag of meal or of money. 2. (n.) A ...
/b/bag.htm - 29k

High (4559 Occurrences)
... prest: The Hebrew word choshen, rendered in the King James Version "breastplate,"
means really a "pouch" or "bag." The references to it are found exclusively ...
/h/high.htm - 60k

Pottery-gate (1 Occurrence)
Pottery-gate. Pottery, Pottery-gate. Pouch . Multi-Version Concordance
Pottery-gate (1 Occurrence). ... Pottery, Pottery-gate. Pouch . Reference Bible.
/p/pottery-gate.htm - 6k

Purse (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A small bag or pouch, the opening of which is made to draw together closely,
used to carry money in; by extension, any receptacle for money carried on ...
/p/purse.htm - 10k

Pelicans
... It receives its Hebrew name from its habit of storing in its pouch large
quantities of fish, which it disgorges when it feeds its young. ...
/p/pelicans.htm - 7k

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Pouch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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