Bible Dictionary
Cruse
A cruse was a small flask, jar, or dish used to hold water, oil, honey, or ointment. Depending on the passage, the word may refer to an earthen vessel, bottle, platter, or alabaster flask.
Definition
A cruse is a small vessel, flask, bottle, dish, or vial used to hold liquids or other substances. Depending on the passage, it may contain water, oil, honey, salt, or ointment, and may be made of earthenware or alabaster.
Biblical Usage
Saul’s cruse held water, and Elijah’s held oil. A cruse in one passage is more properly a bottle containing honey, while another refers to a dish or platter. In the New Testament an alabaster cruse was a small flask for ointment.
Historical Background
An earthen vessel could keep its contents cool because of its porous nature. The word translated “cruse” represents several different Hebrew terms for bottles, dishes, and flasks.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A utensil; a flask or cup for holding water (1 Sam. 26:11, 12, 16; 1 Kings 19:6) or oil (1 Kings 17:12, 14, 16). In 1 Kings 14:3 the word there so rendered means properly a bottle, as in Jer. 19:1, 10, or pitcher. In 2 Kings 2:20, a platter or flat metal saucer is intended. The Hebrew word here used is translated “dish” in 21:13; “pans,” in 2 Chr. 35:13; and “bosom,” in Prov. 19:24; 26:15 (R.V., “dish”).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
a small vessel for holding water, such as was carried by Saul when on his night expedition after David, (1 Samuel 26:11,12,16) and by Elijah. (1 Kings 19:6)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kroos: A small earthen vessel or flask, usually for holding liquids: tsappachath; as water, 1Sa 26:11,12,16; 1Ki 19:6; it being porous, the liquid is kept cool; also for holding oil, as in 1Ki l7:12,14,16.</p><p>In 1Ki 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 2Ki 2:20 tselochith, is not a jar or flask, but a dish, or platter, for salt or other substances.</p><p>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 (Mt 26:7; Mr 14:3; Lu 7:37; compare 1Sa 10:1; 2Ki 9:1,3, where "box" in the King James Version is used for "vial" the Revised Version (British and American)).</p><p>Edward Bagby Pollard</p>