Potsherd
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Potsherd in the Bible?
A piece of earthenware mentioned in several biblical passages, including Job 2:8, Psalms 22:15, and Isaiah 45:9.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying potsherds in biblical texts clarifies the material culture of the ancient Near East, illustrating the ubiquity of ceramic vessels in daily life and their symbolic use to depict fragility, poverty, or divine judgment.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Potsherd were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Potsherd in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Potsherd clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Job 2:8Psalms 22:15Isaiah 45:9
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Potsherd." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/potsherd/