קַשְׂוָה (qa.sah)
qa.sah
jug
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qaswah refers to a specific type of jug or jar used in ancient Israel. It appears only four times in the Old Testament, primarily within the detailed instructions for the tabernacle and temple furnishings found in Exodus, Numbers, and 1 Chronicles.
As a utilitarian vessel, the word describes a container designed for holding liquids, likely water or wine, during religious ceremonies. Its limited usage suggests it was a standard item rather than a unique artifact, serving practical needs within the sacred spaces where Israelite worship took place.
The sources classify qaswah simply as a jug or jar without elaborating on its shape or material beyond its function. This straightforward definition highlights how everyday objects were integrated into the liturgical life of the community, emphasizing the tangible nature of ancient worship practices.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qaswah describes a simple jug or jar used in ancient Israelite worship. It appears only four times in Scripture, always alongside other vessels like dishes and spoons. These items were not decorative but functional, designed to hold liquids for offerings and rituals.
God cared about the practical details of how His people worshipped. By specifying these containers, He showed that ordinary objects could serve sacred purposes when set apart for Him. This reminds us that our daily tools and actions can also be used to honor God.
When we read about these jugs, we see a God who values order and intentionality in worship. It invites us to consider how we might use our everyday resources faithfully in our own lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ jugs1×
- and/ the/ jugs1×
- and/ jugs/ its1×
- [the] jugs of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קְשׂ֣וֹת1×
- וּ/קְשׂוֹתָי/ו֙1×
- וְ/הַ/קְּשָׂוֹ֖ת1×
- הַ/קְּשָׂוֹ֔ת1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 25:29
You shall make its dishes, its spoons, its ladles, and its bowls with which to pour out offerings. You shall make them of pure gold.
This verse lists the qaswah as part of the golden vessels made for the table of showbread, highlighting its role in sacred rituals.
-
Numbers 4:7
“On the table of show bread they shall spread a blue cloth, and put on it the dishes, the spoons, the bowls, and the cups with which to pour out; and the continual bread shall be on it.
Here, the qaswah is assigned to the Levites for transport, showing how even small items were integral to the tabernacle's service.