I am trying to research historically the actual vessels of dishonor/ordinary use in the jewish household. I understand the interpretation of the verse in Romans 9. It's just that I am curious what these vessels were to the ancient Jew that Paul uses as an example. Does anyone have a reference or lead that I can follow up concerning this?
Thanks
Dealing directly with σκεῦος (vessel or vase) in Romans 9 there are a number of types of vessels that were used in the first century and before. Any vessel that can be carried, from sacred to non-sacred; from animal skins to ivory. Bear in mind that although vessel is primarily in view, σκεῦος means more than simply 'vessel'. The original sense of the word means to implement or an instrument. Bible words have histories. We find σκεῦος first in Genesis 25:43 in the LXX:
καὶ ἐξενέγκας ὁ παῖς σκεύη ἀργυρᾶ καὶ χρυσᾶ καὶ ἱματισμὸν ἔδωκεν Ρεβεκκα καὶ δῶρα ἔδωκεν τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτῆς καὶ τῇ μητρὶ αὐτῆς.
And when the servant had brought out articles of silver and gold and clothing, he gave them to Rebekka, and he gave gifts to her brother and mother. (Gen. 25:43 NETS)
The KJV translates 'articles' as 'jewels'. We have it again in Genesis 27:3:
νῦν οὖν λαβὲ τὸ σκεῦός σου, τήν τε φαρέτραν καὶ τὸ τόξον, καὶ ἔξελθε εἰς τὸ πεδίον καὶ θήρευσόν μοι θήραν
Now therefore take your equipment, both quiver and bow, and go out into the plain, and hunt game for me, (NETS)
The word here 'equipment' is translated in the KJV as 'weapons.' This is God building revelation into the concept so that by the time we reach Romans 9 there is quite a history to meditate on. Men are made both vessels in the one sense, that are instruments of His purposes in the broader sense. An instrument of wrath can be used to effect change in a vessel of honor, etc.
Serves me right. I was looking for an earthly response and got a heavenly answer. I was going one direction and you have given me something to ponder and meditate on that I was not expecting.
It was a great question worth exploring. Gave me some things to ponder as well.
I have wondered the same thing. The best explanation that I have been given is quite a simple one. The potter takes a mound of clay; out of it he fashions two pots. One of those pots willbe used for something very honorable, carrying the wine of king and his court; the other for dishonor, a pot for human waste. If this is the contextual meaning, if certainly highlights God's mercy on us, does it not?
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