Bible Dictionaries
Jug

Holman Bible Dictionary

A large, deep, earthenware or glass container with a narrow mouth and handle. Neither KJV nor RSV use the term. NIV uses jug in three passages: a water jug (1Samuel 26:11-12,1 Samuel 26:16; KJV, bottle; NRSV, jar); an oil jug (1Kings 17:12,1Kings 17:14,1 Kings 17:16; KJV, RSV, cruse; NRSV, jug); and an unspecified container (Jeremiah 48:12; KJV, bottle; RSV, jar). The NAS uses jug in seven passages. At 1 Samuel 1:24; 1 Samuel 10:3; 1 Samuel 16:20; 1 Samuel 25:18; 2 Samuel 16:1 the translation “skins” is preferable (NIV, NRSV). At Jeremiah 13:12 the RSV translation “jar” is preferred (NIV, skin). The KJV generally rendered the underlying Hebrew terms as bottle. See Pottery in Bible Times; Vessels and Utensils .