CRUSE

kroos: A small earthen vessel or flask, usually for holding liquids: tsappachath; as water, 1 Samuel 26:11-12,16; 1 Kings 19:6; it being porous, the liquid is kept cool; also for holding oil, as in 1 Ki l1 Kings 7:12,14,16.

In 1 Ki 14:3 ("a cruse of honey") the word baqbuq, would be better rendered "bottle," doubtless deriving its name from the gurgling sound of issuing liquids. In 2 Ki 2:20 tselochith, is not a jar or flask, but a dish, or platter, for salt or other substances.

In the New Testament a small jar or vial, alabastron, "alabaster cruse" or flask, for holding ointment; not "box" as in the King James Version (Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3; Luke 7:37; compare 1 Samuel 10:1; 2 Kings 9:1,3, where "box" in the King James Version is used for "vial" the Revised Version (British and American)).

Edward Bagby Pollard

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.