Greek word · G2765

κεράμιον

keramion

clay jar

An earthenware vessel, a clay jar or jug. It is related to keramos (potter's clay, tile) and kerameus (potter). The word was used for jars holding wine, water or oil, typically containers for carrying or storing rather than table vessels.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κεράμιον, -ου, τό

(κέραμος), [in LXX: Jeremiah 35:5 (גְּבִיעַ), etc. ;]

an earthen vessel, a jar or jug: ὕδατος, Mark 14:13, Luke 22:10.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Mark 14:13

Range of meaning

An earthenware vessel, a clay jar or jug. It is related to keramos (potter's clay, tile) and kerameus (potter). The word was used for jars holding wine, water or oil, typically containers for carrying or storing rather than table vessels.

Against the English

KJV, WEB and YLT have "pitcher" and BSB has "jug." Today "pitcher" suggests a handled jug with a spout for pouring at the table. "Jar" (used by several modern versions) is closer to the heavy clay water-jar carried on the shoulder or head.

How it drifted

In older English, "pitcher" meant a large earthenware jar for carrying water (as in "the pitcher goes to the well"). The modern sense of a tableware jug came later.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint, Jeremiah 35:5 (42:5 in the Greek numbering) uses keramia for jars of wine set before the Rechabites. The word appears in papyri as a standard measure or container for wine. The only other New Testament occurrence is the parallel in Luke 22:10.

Similar words

Where it appears

Mark · 1

  1. Mark 14:13 κεράμιον a pitcher

    So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him,

    Here: A clay jar, the ordinary vessel for fetching and storing water. This is not a small table pitcher. It is the detail that lets the disciples pick him out of the crowd.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 22:10 κεράμιον a pitcher

    He answered, “When you enter the city, a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters,

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.