Bible Dictionary
Pitcher
A pitcher was an earthen vessel used for carrying water or other liquids, usually on the head or shoulder. Rebekah, Gideon’s men, and the man whom Jesus’ disciples followed all carried such vessels.
Definition
A pitcher was an earthen vessel, usually with one or two handles, used chiefly for carrying water or other liquids. In the East it was commonly carried on the head or shoulder, though skin bottles were also used.
Biblical Usage
Rebekah carried a pitcher, Gideon’s men placed lamps in pitchers, and the disciples were directed to follow a man carrying a pitcher when preparing for the Passover.
Historical Background
Pitchers were ordinary water jars used especially by women. The supplied material describes both household use and their employment in military concealment by Gideon’s men.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A vessel for containing liquids. In the East pitchers were usually carried on the head or shoulders (Gen. 24:15-20; Judg. 7:16, 19; Mark 14:13).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
This word is used in the Authorized Version to denote the earthen water-jars or pitchers with one or two handles, used chiefly by women for carrying water, as in the story of Rebekah. (Genesis 24:15-20) but see Mark 14:13; Luke 22:10 This mode of carrying has been and still is customary the East and elsewhere. The vessels used for the purpose are generally borne on the head or the shoulder. The Bedouin women commonly use skin bottles. Such was the “bottle” carried by Hagar (Genesis 21:14) The same word is used of the pitchers employed by Gideon’s three hundred men. (Judges 7:16)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>pich'-er (kadh; keramion): The word is found chiefly in the Old Testament in the story of Rebekah in Ge 24:13 ff; but Gideon's men also had their lamps in pitchers (Jud 7:16,19). Ecclesiastes speaks of the pitcher broken at the fountain (12:6). The single use in the New Testament is in Mr 14:13 parallel Lu 22:10. The pitcher was an earthenware vessel (compare La 4:2, nebhel), with one or two handles, used for carrying water, and commonly borne upon the head or shoulder (compare Ge 24).</p>