### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word stámnos (`{{G4713}}`) denotes a vessel, specifically a jar or an earthen pot, designed to stand upright and contain substances. Its etymological root traces back to the base of the verb hístēmi (`{{G2476}}`), meaning "to stand" or "to set." This etymological connection underscores the primary characteristic of the stámnos as a stationary container, emphasizing its stability and capacity for holding contents securely over time. It implies a vessel intended for storage or preservation, rather than for transport or immediate pouring. While the base definition suggests a generic "pot," the nuance derived from its root points to a sturdy, often earthenware, receptacle suitable for important or lasting contents.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term stámnos (`{{G4713}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, specifically in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
* [[Hebrews 9:4]]: "having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant."
In this solitary occurrence, stámnos refers to the "golden jar" that contained the manna, placed within the Ark of the Covenant. The context is a detailed description of the furnishings of the earthly tabernacle, particularly those located within the Holy of Holies. The author of Hebrews meticulously lists the sacred items within the Ark, highlighting their significance as types and shadows of heavenly realities. The stámnos of manna, alongside Aaron's staff and the tablets of the covenant, served as a perpetual memorial of God's miraculous provision and covenant faithfulness to Israel during their wilderness wanderings. Its placement within the most sacred object of Israelite worship underscores the profound spiritual meaning attached to its contents.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of a container or vessel is common in biblical literature, often carrying symbolic weight. While stámnos specifically refers to a stationary jar, other Greek words convey similar ideas with different nuances:
* aggeíon (`{{G30}}`): A general term for a vessel or container, as seen in the parable of the ten virgins ([[Matthew 25:4]]).
* skeúos (`{{G4632}}`): Encompasses a broader range of "vessels," "implements," or "articles," often used metaphorically for individuals as instruments of God's purpose ([[Acts 9:15]], [[Romans 9:21]]).
* hydría (`{{G5207}}`): Specifically a water-jar or pitcher, as used by the Samaritan woman ([[John 4:28]]).
The stámnos is particularly associated with the manna, which itself is a profound biblical concept. The manna (mānn `{{H4478}}`) represents divine sustenance, God's faithful provision, and the miraculous feeding of His people in the wilderness ([[Exodus 16:31-35]]). The act of preserving the manna in the stámnos connects to themes of remembrance, testimony, and the enduring nature of God's covenant promises. The Ark of the Covenant, where the stámnos resided, is central to the concepts of God's presence, His covenant, and the very heart of Israelite worship.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of the stámnos is intrinsically linked to its contents and its sacred placement. As the container for the manna, it serves as a tangible reminder of God's unfailing provision for His people. The preservation of the manna within the Ark of the Covenant elevated it from mere food to a sacred memorial, testifying to God's miraculous power and His covenant fidelity. This act of preservation underscored that Israel's sustenance was not by human effort but by divine grace.
Furthermore, the manna, held within the stámnos, prefigures Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the bread of life" ([[John 6:35]]), drawing a direct parallel between the wilderness manna that sustained Israel physically and His own person as the spiritual bread that gives eternal life. The stámnos thus points to the temporary nature of the old covenant's provision and the enduring, ultimate provision found in Christ. While the earthly stámnos held a perishable substance, Christ is the imperishable sustenance for the soul, a true and lasting bread from heaven. The stámnos therefore symbolizes the sacred preservation of divine memory and the foreshadowing of ultimate spiritual nourishment.
### Summary
The Greek word stámnos (`{{G4713}}`) refers to a stationary jar or earthen pot, deriving its meaning from the concept of "standing" or stability. Its sole appearance in the New Testament is in [[Hebrews 9:4]], where it describes the "golden jar" containing the manna, placed within the Ark of the Covenant. This stámnos served as a perpetual memorial of God's miraculous provision for Israel in the wilderness, signifying His covenant faithfulness and the divine origin of their sustenance. Theologically, the stámnos with its manna points to the greater reality of Christ as the true "bread of life," the ultimate and eternal provision for humanity. It embodies the sacred preservation of divine acts and foreshadows the fulfillment of God's promises in the New Covenant.
TRV