Cruse

Cruse (1Sa 26:11; 1Ki 14:3; 2Ki 2:20). This now obsolete English word denotes a small vessel for holding water or other liquids. Such are noticed under Bottle, Dish.

A small vessel for holding water and other liquids, 1Sa 26:11 . The above cut {see picture 1} represents various antique cups, travelling flasks, and cruses, like those still used in the East.\par

Cruse. A small vessel for holding water, such as was carried by Saul, when on his night expedition after David, 1Sa 26:11-12; 1Sa 26:16, and by Elijah. 1Ki 19:6.

tsappachath. Probably like the vessels still made at Gaza; a blue, clay, porous globular vessel, about nine inches wide, a neck three long, a handle below the neck, and a straight spout, with an opening the size of a straw (1Sa 26:11-12; 1Sa 26:16; 1Ki 19:6; 1Ki 17:12; 1Ki 17:14; 1Ki 17:16). The bakbok, from the gurgling noise in pouring (1Ki 14:3). Tsellachah, from a root to sprinkle; a flat saucer or dish (2Ki 2:20). In Pro 19:24, "a slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom" (tsallachath, the cruse or dish like cavity in the bosom, or else translated "in the dish".)

This now obsolete English word denotes a small vessel for holding water or other liquids. Three Hebrew words are thus translated in the A. V. SEE CUP.

1. צִפִּחִת, tsappach’ath (lit. something spread out), is applied to a utensil (usually considered a flask, but more probably a shallow cup) for holding water (1Sa 26:11-12; 1Sa 26:16 1Ki 19:6) or oil (1Ki 17:12; 1Ki 17:14; 1Ki 17:16). Some clew to the nature of this vessel is perhaps afforded by its mention as being full of water at the head of Saul when on his night expedition after David (1Sa 26:11-12; 1Sa 26:16), and also of Elijah (1Ki 19:6). In a similar case in the present day this would be a globular vessel of blue porous clay — the ordinary Gaza pottery — about nine inches diameter, with a neck of about three inches long, a small handle below the neck, and opposite the handle a straight spout, with an orifice about the size of a straw, through which the water is drunk or sucked. The form is common also in Spain, and will be familiar to many from pictures of Spanish life. A similar globular vessel probably contained the oil of the widow of Zarephath (1Ki 17:12; 1Ki 17:14; 1Ki 17:16). For the “box” or “horn” in which the consecrated oil was carried on special occasions, SEE OIL.

Some writers have supposed that the cruse of water mentioned in the first passage (when Saul’s life was spared by David) was a clepsydra, or one of those water-watch measures used by the ancients, by which timewas measured by the falling of water from one vessel into another, the undermost vessel containing a piece of cork, the different altitudes of which, as it gradually rose upon the rising water, marked the progress of time. But we can hardly suppose that such time measures were known at that early period. It is usual for persons in the East in the present day, when they travel, to take with them a flask for holding water, and also, when they sleep in the open air, to have a small vessel of water within their reach (Thomson, Land and Book, 2:21). These flasks are of various forms, and are sometimes covered with a wicker-case, SEE DISH.

2. בִּקְבּוּק, bakbuk’ (from the gurgling sound in emptying), perhaps a bottle (as it is translated in Jer 19:1; Jer 19:10) for holding any liquid, as honey (1Ki 14:3), but more probably a PITCHER SEE PITCHER (q.v.).

3. צְלֹחַית, tselochith’ (lit. that into which fluids are poured out), a platter (2Ki 2:20). This was probably a flat metal saucer of the form still common in the East. It occurs in 2Ki 2:20, “cruse;” 2Ki 21:13, “dish;” 2Ch 35:13, “pan’;” also Pro 19:24; Pro 26:15, where the figure is obscured by the choice of the word “bosom.” SEE PAN; SEE PLATTER, etc.

Cruse. This word appeals as the translation of three Hebrew words: one of these occurs in 1Sa 26:11-12; 1Sa 26:16; 1Ki 17:12; 1Ki 17:14; 1Ki 17:16; 1Ki 19:6, to denote a vessel used for water or oil. Again, we have a "cruse of honey." 1Ki 14:3. The same word is also rendered "bottle." Jer 19:1; Jer 19:10. This must have been of earthenware, and had its Hebrew name from the gurgling sound caused when any liquid was poured from it. The only other place in which our version has "cruse" is 2Ki 2:20. The original word is translated "dish" in 2Ki 21:13, "pans" in 2Ch 36:13, and "bosom" in Pro 19:24; Pro 26:15, A. V., but dish in the R. V. It was probably a metal platter or dish.

1. baqbuq, a bottle. 1Ki 14:3.

2. tselochith, dish or pan. 2Ki 2:20.

3. tsappachath, flask for water, etc. 1Sa 26:11-12; 1Sa 26:16; 1Ki 17:12; 1Ki 17:14; 1Ki 17:16; 1Ki 19:6.

CRUSE.—The word occurs frequently in the OT (generally as rendering of Heb. צַפִּחַח), where it means a ‘small earthen bottle or jar’ in common use among the Hebrews chiefly for holding liquids, such as water (1Sa 26:11) or oil (1Ki 17:12). ‘Cruse’ (marg. ‘flask’) is substituted by Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 for ‘box’ of Authorized Version in Mat 26:7 (|| Mar 14:3, Luk 7:37) as the designation of the ἀλάβαστρος used by the woman who anointed our Lord. See Alabaster and Anointing.

Dugald Clark.

CRUSE.—See House, § 9.

kroos: A small earthen vessel or flask, usually for holding liquids: צפחת, cappaḥath; as water, 1Sa 26:11, 1Sa 26:12, 1Sa 26:16; 1Ki 19:6; it being porous, the liquid is kept cool; also for holding oil, as in 1Ki 17:12, 1Ki 17:14, 1Ki 17:16.

In 1Ki 14:3 (“a cruse of honey”) the word בּקבּוּק, baḳbūḳ, would be better rendered “bottle,” doubtless deriving its name from the gurgling sound of issuing liquids. In 2Ki 2:20 צלחית, c^elōḥı̄th, is not a jar or flask, but a dish, or platter, for salt or other substances.

In the New Testament a small jar or vial, ἀλάβαστρον, alábastron, “alabaster cruse” or flask, for holding ointment; not “box” as in the King James Version (Mat 26:7; Mar 14:3; Luk 7:37; compare 1Sa 10:1; 2Ki 9:1, 2Ki 9:3, where “box” in the King James Version is used for “vial” the Revised Version (British and American)).