ves´el : Is used freely in English Versions of the Bible to translate כּלי , kelı̄ , the Aramaic מאן , mā'n , and σκεῦος , skeúos , words all meaning "an implement or utensil" of any kind, when the context shows that a hollow utensil is meant. In 1 Samuel 21:5 , however, the translation of the plural of kelı̄ by "vessels" is dubious. English Versions of the Bible evidently intended something in the nature of provision wallets, and the "holiness" of such objects finds partial parallels in Numbers 19:15; Leviticus 11:32-34 , etc. But in 1 Samuel 21:8 , in the immediate context of the verse above, kelı̄ certainly means "weapons," and this translation is quite intelligible in 1 Samuel 21:5 also. For war among the Hebrews was a holy function, calling for extreme ceremonial purity ( Deuteronomy 23:9-14 ). See the commentaries. and especially RS2, 455-56. In addition, "vessel" appears in Isaiah 30:14 for נבל , nebhel , "jar"; in Matthew 13:48 for ἄγγος , ággos , "vessels"; and in Sirach 21:14; Matthew 25:4 for ἀγγεῖον , aggeı́on , a diminutive form of aggos . A different use is that of The Wisdom of Solomon 14:1, where "vessel" represents πλοῖον , ploı́on , "a boat," while The Wisdom of Solomon 14:5, 6 the King James Version has "weak vessel" for σχεδία , schedı́a , "raft" (so the Revised Version (British and American)). Vessels of all sorts and kinds and for all sorts of uses were so familiar as to make them natural illustrations for different sorts of human beings (Hosea 8:8; Isaiah 22:24; Jeremiah 22:28 , etc.; see POTTER ), and through Acts 9:15 the word "vessel" has passed into Christian theology as signifying simply a human being. But the figure of such "vessels" as (passively) filled with different contents is not Biblical. In 1 Thessalonians 4:4 "vessel" may be taken as a figure for either the man's own body or for his wife. Between these possibilities the commentaries are almost equally divided.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
Read More