The Hebrew word dûwd, represented by H1731, refers to a pot for boiling or, by a resemblance of shape, a basket. It appears 7 times across 6 unique verses in the Bible, carrying a dual meaning that shifts based on its context. Its root is shared with the word for "beloved" or "uncle," though its usage here is strictly for objects.
In biblical usage, H1731 functions in both literal and symbolic ways. It is a vessel for preparing sacred food, as seen when the priests at Shiloh would take their portion from the kettle 1 Samuel 2:14 and when holy offerings were cooked in caldrons for the Passover 2 Chronicles 35:13. It also serves as a container, gruesomely used to hold the heads of the king's sons 2 Kings 10:7 and, in a prophetic vision, to represent the fate of Judah through two baskets of figs Jeremiah 24:2. Figuratively, it describes the immense power of Leviathan, whose nostrils emit smoke like a "seething pot" Job 41:20.
Several other Hebrew words for pots and containers appear alongside or in similar contexts to dûwd:
- H3595 kîyôwr (pan, laver): This word for a round object appears with H1731 in the list of priestly vessels at Shiloh 1 Samuel 2:14. It is also famously used for the bronze laver in the tabernacle court Exodus 30:18.
- H5518 çîyr (pot): A more common term for a cooking pot, it is listed with H1731 in the preparations for the Passover 2 Chronicles 35:13. Elisha commands his servant to "Set on the great pot" to make pottage for the prophets 2 Kings 4:38.
- H6517 pârûwr (pot, pan): This term appears in 1 Samuel 2:14 with kettle H1731. Gideon used a pot of this kind to carry broth for the angel of the LORD Judges 6:19.
- H100 'agmôwn (caldron, rush): This word is paired directly with H1731 in the description of Leviathan, whose breath is like a "seething pot or caldron" Job 41:20. Elsewhere, it is used to mean a bulrush Isaiah 58:5.
The significance of H1731 lies in its versatile application as a symbol in the biblical narrative.
- Vessel of Prophetic Truth: In Jeremiah's vision, the two baskets of figs are not mere containers but powerful symbols representing the two fates awaiting the exiles of Judah, making the object a vehicle for divine communication Jeremiah 24:2.
- Instrument of Sacred Ritual: Its use in cooking holy offerings for the Passover and for priestly portions underscores its role in the sacred economy of worship and sacrifice (2 Chronicles 35:13, 1 Samuel 2:14).
- Metaphor for Burden and Liberation: Deliverance from the pots is used as a metaphor for Israel's liberation from the burdens of labor, signifying freedom granted by God Psalms 81:6.
In summary, H1731 dûwd demonstrates how a simple object can hold significant weight. While not frequently used, its appearances are memorable, shifting from a common pot or basket to a symbol of prophecy, sacred duty, brutal political acts, and divine deliverance. It captures a range of experiences, from the mundane tasks of cooking to the profound theological concepts of judgment and freedom.
TRV