χαλκίον (chalkion)
chalkion
kettle
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun chalkion refers to a small copper or bronze vessel, specifically a kettle or pot used for holding liquids. It appears as a diminutive form derived from the word for bronze (chalkos), indicating an object that is smaller or more delicate than heavy metal cookware. In the New Testament, this term occurs only once, in Mark 7:4.
Mark uses it to describe the cultural practices of Jewish purification rituals. The text notes that people did not eat unless they washed their hands, and they also observed various customs such as washing cups, pitchers, and kettles (chalkia). This single usage highlights how daily household items were central to religious observance in first-century Judea.
While the word itself is simple, its context reveals a significant point about purity laws. The inclusion of everyday vessels like kettles alongside hands suggests that ritual cleanliness extended beyond personal hygiene to include the tools used for eating and drinking. This reflects a broader concern with maintaining ceremonial purity in all aspects of life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chalkion points to a small copper kettle or pot, a humble item found in many first-century homes. In Mark’s Gospel, it appears alongside cups and pitchers as part of the daily washing routines that Jewish families observed. These vessels were not merely kitchen tools; they were central to maintaining ritual purity before meals.
For us today, this detail invites reflection on how we approach spiritual cleanliness. While we do not follow ceremonial washings, the passage highlights a heart posture: taking seriously the ways we prepare ourselves to encounter God and others. It reminds us that faithfulness often lives in the ordinary details of life, not just in grand gestures.
When you read this scene, consider how your own daily habits reflect your inner state. Are there small, consistent practices that help you stay focused on what matters most? This word encourages a gentle awareness of the routine moments where we can choose integrity and reverence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- utensils1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- χαλκίων1×
Key Verses
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Mark 7:4
They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.)
This verse lists chalkion among other household vessels to show that ritual purity extended to every object used for eating, not just personal hygiene.