from an unused root meaning to expand; a saucer (as flat); cruse.
Transliteration:tsappachath
Pronunciation:tsap-pakh'-ath
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H6835 (צַפַּחַת, *tsappachath*) derives from an unused root, often posited to mean "to expand" or "to spread out." This etymological hint suggests a shape or function related to breadth or capacity. The primary definitions provided are "saucer" (implying flatness or a wide, shallow vessel) and "cruse" (a small flask or jar, typically for liquids).
While the "saucer" aspect might suggest a flat, open dish, the consistent biblical usage strongly favors the meaning of a "cruse" or "flask"—a portable container designed to hold liquids such as water or oil. The underlying concept of "expansion" could refer to the vessel's capacity to contain, or perhaps a relatively wide opening that allows for easy access to its contents. In practice, tsappachath denotes a modest-sized vessel, suitable for personal use or carrying on a journey.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word tsappachath appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are highly significant, consistently referring to a small, personal vessel for liquids.
1. **1 Samuel 26:11-16**: This passage recounts David's opportunity to kill King Saul while he slept. David refrains, taking only Saul's spear and the tsappachath of water that was at Saul's head.
* [[1 Samuel 26:11]]: "But David would not stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed. And he said, 'Now take the spear that is at his head and the cruse of water, and let us go.'"
* [[1 Samuel 26:12]]: "So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s head, and they went their way; and no man saw it or knew it or awoke, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them."
* [[1 Samuel 26:16]]: "This thing that you have done is not good. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not guarded your lord, the Lord’s anointed. Now see where the king’s spear is and the cruse of water that was at his head."
In this context, the tsappachath is a personal water container, essential for Saul's rest and journey, highlighting his vulnerability and David's restraint. It signifies a basic necessity for life on the move.
2. **1 Kings 17:12-16**: This narrative describes the prophet Elijah's encounter with the widow of Zarephath during a severe famine. Her last remaining provisions are a handful of flour and a little oil in a tsappachath.
* [[1 Kings 17:12]]: "And she said, 'As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a cruse; and behold, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.'"
* [[1 Kings 17:14]]: "For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the cruse of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’"
* [[1 Kings 17:16]]: "The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the cruse of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah."
Here, the tsappachath of oil is a symbol of extreme scarcity, yet it becomes the miraculous conduit for divine sustenance. It represents a humble, seemingly insignificant vessel that God uses to demonstrate His abundant provision.
3. **1 Kings 19:6**: Following his victory over the prophets of Baal and subsequent flight, Elijah is ministered to by an angel in the wilderness.
* [[1 Kings 19:6]]: "Then he looked, and behold, there was a cake baked on coals, and a cruse of water by his head; and he ate and drank, and lay down again."
Similar to the account in 1 Samuel, the tsappachath here holds water, providing essential refreshment for Elijah's arduous journey, underscoring God's direct care for His weary servant.
Across all occurrences, tsappachath consistently refers to a small, portable vessel containing a vital liquid (water or oil), often associated with personal sustenance, travel, or a dire situation. The "saucer" aspect of the definition is not evident in these contexts, which clearly depict a contained vessel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of a tsappachath as a small, personal cruse can be understood in relation to other Hebrew terms for containers and vessels:
* `{{H3627}}` (*keli*): This is a very broad term meaning "vessel," "utensil," "implement," or "article." While tsappachath is a type of *keli*, it specifies a particular kind of small liquid container.
* `{{H5035}}` (*nevel*): Often translated as "skin bottle" or "jar," typically larger than a tsappachath, used for wine or water. A *nevel* could be a large earthenware jar or a goatskin.
* `{{H3707}}` (*kad*): A "jar" or "pitcher," often of earthenware, used for carrying water (as by Rebekah in [[Genesis 24:14]]) or storing flour. These are generally larger than a tsappachath.
* `{{H2579}}` (*chemet*): A "flask" or "bottle," similar in function to tsappachath but perhaps more specifically a leather skin for wine, as seen in [[Genesis 21:14]] (Hagar's "bottle" of water).
The tsappachath distinguishes itself by its consistent portrayal as a small, personal, and often humble vessel. It is not a large storage jar or a general implement, but rather a specific container for immediate, personal need, whether for drink during sleep or for a meager, yet miraculously sustained, supply of oil. Its size and portability are key characteristics, setting it apart from larger or more generic vessels.
### Theological Significance
Though a seemingly mundane object, the tsappachath takes on profound theological significance through its association with divine action and human faith in the biblical narratives.
1. **Divine Protection and Sovereignty (1 Samuel):** In the account of David and Saul, the tsappachath of water, along with Saul's spear, represents the king's very life and vulnerability. David's refusal to harm Saul, instead taking only these personal items, underscores his respect for God's anointed and his trust in divine justice rather than personal vengeance. The presence of the cruse at Saul's head signifies God's providential hand in delivering Saul into David's power, yet simultaneously restraining David.
2. **Miraculous Provision and Sustenance (1 Kings 17):** The most striking theological use of tsappachath is in the story of the widow of Zarephath. Her "cruse of oil" is the focal point of God's miraculous provision during a severe famine. This humble, nearly empty vessel becomes a conduit for God's unfailing supply, demonstrating His power to sustain life in desperate circumstances. The tsappachath here symbolizes:
* **God's Faithfulness:** He keeps His word through Elijah, ensuring the oil does not run dry.
* **Faith in Action:** The widow's obedience to Elijah's seemingly irrational request (to feed him first) is rewarded by the continuous miracle.
* **Abundance from Scarcity:** A tiny cruse becomes a source of continuous sustenance, illustrating God's ability to provide more than enough from very little.
* **Intimate Care:** God's provision is not abstract but tangible, directly addressing the immediate, personal need of a vulnerable family.
3. **Divine Comfort and Strength (1 Kings 19):** For Elijah, the tsappachath of water provided by the angel in the wilderness is a symbol of God's compassionate care for His weary and despondent servant. It is a source of physical refreshment that enables him to undertake a forty-day journey, highlighting God's intimate knowledge of human weakness and His unfailing provision to empower His chosen ones for their tasks.
In sum, the tsappachath transcends its simple material form to become a powerful emblem of God's personal, timely, and often miraculous provision, protection, and sustenance for His people, particularly in moments of vulnerability, scarcity, or despair. It is a testament to God's ability to use humble vessels to manifest His extraordinary power and faithfulness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6835 (צַפַּחַת, *tsappachath*) refers to a small, portable "cruse" or "flask," primarily used for liquids like water or oil. While its root suggests an idea of "expansion" or "flatness," its consistent biblical usage points to a contained vessel, not a flat saucer. Occurring in pivotal narratives in 1 Samuel and 1 Kings, the tsappachath is always depicted as a personal item, essential for sustenance or travel. In the story of David and Saul, it underscores God's providential control and David's reverence for the Lord's anointed. Most significantly, in the accounts of Elijah, the tsappachath of water and oil becomes a potent symbol of God's miraculous provision, sustaining life in times of famine and providing strength in moments of weakness. Thus, the tsappachath, a humble object, serves as a powerful reminder of God's intimate care, unfailing faithfulness, and ability to manifest His abundant grace through seemingly meager means.