apparently but a form for צַלַּחַת; a kettle; caldron.
Transliteration:qallachath
Pronunciation:kal-lakh'-ath
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term קַלַּחַת (qallachath, `{{H7037}}`) denotes a large cooking vessel, specifically a 'kettle' or 'caldron.' Lexicographers often suggest it is an alternative form or a close cognate of צַלַּחַת (tsallachath, `{{H6747}}`), which encompasses a broader range of dishes, bowls, and cooking pots. The base definition emphasizes its function as a container for boiling or cooking, implying a substantial capacity suitable for preparing food for multiple individuals or for specific ritual purposes. Its semantic range is thus confined to this particular type of culinary equipment, suggesting a vessel that could hold a significant volume and withstand the heat of a fire.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term qallachath appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance offering distinct contextual insights into its usage and symbolic potential.
1. **[[1 Samuel 2:14]]**: "And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the hook brought up the priest took for himself."
In this passage, qallachath refers to one of the vessels used in the Tabernacle for cooking the meat of the peace offerings. The context describes the corrupt practices of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who would send a servant with a three-pronged fork to take the best portions of the sacrificial meat directly from the boiling pot before it was properly offered to the Lord. Here, the qallachath is a literal object, a large pot, central to the desecration of the sacred ritual. Its presence highlights the material aspect of the priests' greed and their abuse of the sacrificial system.
2. **[[Micah 1:15]]**: "I will again bring a conqueror upon you, O inhabitants of Mareshah; the glory of Israel shall come to Adullam. A caldron will come to the house of your enemies."
In Micah's prophetic oracle, the qallachath takes on a metaphorical and ominous role. It is not a literal cooking pot but a symbol of impending divine judgment and destruction. The image of a "caldron coming to the house of your enemies" evokes a sense of intense heat, boiling wrath, and complete consumption or devastation. It suggests an overwhelming force that will "cook" or "devour" the inhabitants of the land, bringing about their ruin. This metaphorical usage elevates the mundane object to a powerful symbol of God's just recompense against the unfaithful.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is צַלַּחַת (tsallachath, `{{H6747}}`), which is often considered the root or a closely related form. While qallachath specifically denotes a 'kettle' or 'caldron,' tsallachath has a broader meaning, encompassing 'bowls,' 'dishes,' and 'pots.' This suggests a shared semantic field of culinary or serving vessels.
Other related concepts include:
* **Cooking Vessels:** Other Hebrew words for pots, pans, and bowls, such as סִיר (sir, `{{H5518}}`, 'pot' or 'kettle') or פָּרוּר (parur, `{{H6517}}`, 'pot' or 'pan'), which belong to the general category of kitchenware.
* **Sacrifice and Cultic Practice:** The use of qallachath in [[1 Samuel 2:14]] directly links it to the sacrificial system of ancient Israel, highlighting the proper (or improper) handling of offerings.
* **Divine Judgment:** The metaphorical use in [[Micah 1:15]] connects qallachath to the broader biblical theme of God's wrath and judgment against sin, often depicted with imagery of fire, consumption, or overwhelming force.
* **Corruption and Injustice:** In the context of 1 Samuel, the qallachath becomes a tangible prop in the narrative of priestly corruption, illustrating the abuse of sacred duties for personal gain.
### Theological Significance
While qallachath refers to a common household or cultic item, its biblical appearances imbue it with significant theological weight.
In the account of Eli's sons, the qallachath serves as a tangible symbol of their egregious corruption and contempt for the Lord's offerings. The very vessel meant to prepare food for sacred consumption becomes a witness to their sacrilege. This misuse of a cultic object underscores a profound spiritual decay, where human greed overrides divine command. It highlights the principle that even the most mundane elements within a sacred context can become indicators of spiritual health or disease, and that God holds His servants accountable for their stewardship of His holy things. The qallachath here represents the physical locus of a spiritual transgression that ultimately leads to divine judgment upon Eli's house.
In Micah's prophecy, the qallachath metaphorically portrays the imminent and devastating judgment of God. The image of a "caldron coming" speaks to an overwhelming and consuming wrath, suggesting that the divine judgment will be thorough, intense, and inescapable, like food being completely cooked or consumed in a boiling pot. This imagery conveys God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice, even when it involves severe punishment for His disobedient people. It serves as a stark warning, illustrating that God's patience has limits and that His justice will ultimately "boil over" against sin.
Thus, the qallachath, though a simple object, functions in Scripture both as a literal prop in a narrative of human failure and as a potent symbol of divine judgment, revealing aspects of human sinfulness and God's righteous character.
### Summary
The Hebrew word קַלַּחַת (qallachath, `{{H7037}}`) denotes a 'kettle' or 'caldron,' a large cooking vessel often considered a variant of צַלַּחַת (tsallachath, `{{H6747}}`). Its limited biblical occurrences offer profound insights. In [[1 Samuel 2:14]], the qallachath is a literal vessel used by corrupt priests to desecrate sacrificial offerings, serving as a material witness to their sacrilege and abuse of sacred duty. In stark contrast, [[Micah 1:15]] employs qallachath metaphorically, depicting it as a symbol of overwhelming divine judgment, where God's wrath "boils over" to consume the wicked. Therefore, this seemingly ordinary object transcends its mundane function, becoming a powerful biblical symbol of both human corruption and the fierce, consuming justice of God.
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