or קַשְׂוָה; from an unused root meaning to be round; a jug (from its shape); cover, cup.
Transliteration:qâsâh
Pronunciation:kaw-saw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H7184 (קָשָׂה, *qâsâh*, or קַשְׂוָה, *qashvâh*) originates from an unused root that conveys the sense "to be round." This etymological foundation directly informs its primary semantic range, which refers to objects characterized by their circular or spherical form. Specifically, H7184 denotes a "jug" or "cup," emphasizing its function as a container for liquids. The extended definition also includes "cover," which might imply a rounded lid for such a vessel or, more broadly, an object that encloses. However, within the biblical corpus, the dominant usage points to its meaning as a vessel, particularly a bowl or dish employed in cultic contexts. The inherent emphasis on its roundness suggests a common, perhaps archetypal, shape for such containers in the ancient Near East.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H7184 appears in the Hebrew Bible in contexts exclusively related to the sacred vessels of the Tabernacle and Temple, underscoring its specific application within Israelite worship.
1. **[[Exodus 25:29]]**: Here, H7184 is used in the detailed instructions for the Table of Showbread within the Tabernacle: "You shall make its plates and its dishes, its bowls and its pitchers for pouring, with which to pour drink offerings." The word appears as "dishes" or "bowls" (קְשָׂוֹתֶיהָ, *qesâvôthehā*). These particular vessels were meticulously designed to hold the showbread and to facilitate the pouring of drink offerings, thereby emphasizing their integral role in the regular cultic service and the sustenance offered before the Lord. The Septuagint renders this term as σπονδεῖον (spondeion), a libation bowl, which further confirms its specialized function in ritual pouring.
2. **[[1 Chronicles 28:17]]**: In this passage, King David provides Solomon with comprehensive instructions and materials for the construction of the Temple. Among the various gold and silver vessels designated for the Temple service, H7184 (קְשָׂוֹת, *qesâvôt*) is listed alongside "bowls" (מִזְרָקוֹת, `{{H4283}}`) and "jars" (כַּדִּים, `{{H3653}}`). The context here is an inventory of sacred utensils, again highlighting its use as a specific type of vessel within the consecrated space of worship. Its inclusion among items like basins for blood and pitchers for liquids reinforces its function as a container for precise cultic purposes.
In both biblical occurrences, H7184 refers to a vessel crafted from precious metal (gold in Exodus, gold and silver in 1 Chronicles), signifying its high value, purity, and sacred status within the divine economy of worship. The precise nature of these "bowls" or "dishes" is intrinsically linked to offerings and ritual service.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H7184 intersects with several other Hebrew terms for vessels and containers, though H7184 uniquely emphasizes the "round" shape as its defining characteristic.
* **`{{H3627}}` (כְּלִי, *keli*)**: This is the most general Hebrew term for "vessel," "utensil," or "instrument." While H7184 denotes a specific type of *keli*, *keli* itself encompasses a vast array of objects.
* **`{{H5592}}` (סַף, *saph*)**: Refers to a "basin" or "bowl," often associated with the collection of blood offerings or other liquids.
* **`{{H4283}}` (מִזְרָק, *mizraq*)**: Specifically a "basin" or "bowl" used for sprinkling blood, particularly in sacrificial contexts.
* **`{{H3653}}` (כַּד, *kadd*)**: A "jar" or "pitcher," typically used for carrying water or other liquids.
The underlying root "to be round" connects H7184 to the fundamental physical characteristics of many ancient vessels, which were commonly designed with spherical or cylindrical forms. This shared characteristic underscores the practical and aesthetic design principles prevalent in the ancient world.
### Theological Significance
Though H7184 itself is relatively rare in the biblical text, its specific usage within the Tabernacle and Temple contexts imbues it with profound theological significance. The "dishes" or "bowls" it describes were not merely utilitarian objects but consecrated instruments essential for divine service.
1. **Holiness and Consecration**: The vessels described by H7184 were made of gold (Exodus) or other precious metals (1 Chronicles), signifying their inherent purity, preciousness, and absolute separation for sacred use. They were an intrinsic part of the meticulous divine blueprint for worship, emphasizing God's unwavering demand for holiness in all facets of His service.
2. **Divine Provision and Worship**: In [[Exodus 25:29]], these vessels are designated for the showbread and drink offerings. The showbread symbolized God's continual and faithful provision for His people, while drink offerings were solemn acts of worship and dedication. Thus, these H7184 vessels facilitated the tangible expression of the covenant relationship—God's unwavering faithfulness and Israel's devoted response.
3. **Order and Meticulousness**: The detailed divine instructions for the Tabernacle and Temple vessels, including the H7184 items, highlight God's meticulousness and His profound desire for order and precision in worship. Every minute detail, from the specific shape to the material of a "bowl," was divinely ordained, underscoring the gravity and sacredness of approaching a holy God.
4. **Symbolic Representation**: As containers, these vessels symbolically held and presented elements central to Israelite worship. They served as conduits through which the profound acts of offering, communion, and dedication were performed, thereby pointing to the larger theological truths of atonement, sustenance, and intimate fellowship with the divine.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H7184 (קָשָׂה, *qâsâh*, or קַשְׂוָה, *qashvâh*) primarily refers to a "jug," "cup," or "bowl," deriving its core meaning from an unused root signifying "to be round." Its limited occurrences in the biblical text are exclusively found in descriptions of the sacred vessels within the Tabernacle and Temple. In [[Exodus 25:29]], it denotes the "dishes" or "bowls" specifically designed for the showbread and drink offerings, and in [[1 Chronicles 28:17]], it appears among the gold and silver vessels designated for the Temple service. The precise use of H7184 highlights the specific, rounded vessels employed in the most sacred cultic worship. Theologically, these vessels underscore the paramount holiness, divine meticulousness, and precise order required in the service of God, symbolizing His unwavering provision and the people's devoted response within the consecrated space of the Tabernacle and Temple.
TRV