Meaning
A container used for holding or carrying a liquid or other substance, traditionally made from materials such as leather, glass, or pottery.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses bottle for containers holding liquids such as water, wine, and milk. In the Old Testament, bottles could be made from animal skins and carried during travel.
The Bible also uses bottle figuratively. Psalm 56:8 speaks of putting tears into God’s bottle, while Job 32:19 compares new wine to bottles that are ready to burst.
Key References
- Genesis 21:14 — Hagar carries a bottle of water into the wilderness.
- Genesis 21:15 — The water in Hagar’s bottle is consumed.
- Joshua 9:4 — The Gibeonites take old bottles as part of their deception.
- Joshua 9:13 — Their bottles of wine are described as old and rent.
- 1 Kings 17:14 — The widow’s barrel of meal and cruse of oil are described.
- Psalm 56:8 — David uses the image of tears being kept in God’s bottle.
- Job 32:19 — New wine is compared to bottles ready to burst.
- Matthew 9:17 — Jesus uses wineskins in teaching about new wine.
Related Terms
- Cruse
- Vial
- Vessel
- Oil
- Wine