CRUSE

kroos: A small earthen vessel or flask, usually for holding liquids: tsappachath; as water, 1 Samuel 26:11, 12, 16 1 Kings 19:6; it being porous, the liquid is kept cool; also for holding oil, as in 1 Kings l7:12, 14, 16.

In 1 Kings 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 2 Kings 2:20 tselochith, is not a jar or flask, but a dish, or platter, for salt or other substances.

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 (Matthew 26:7 Mark 14:3 Luke 7:37; compare 1 Samuel 10:1 2 Kings 9:1, 3, where "box" in the King James Version is used for "vial" the Revised Version (British and American)).

Edward Bagby Pollard