Flagon
What is a Flagon in the Bible?
The term "flagon" appears in several English Bible translations, most notably the King James Version (KJV), but it represents three distinct Hebrew words and objects. Modern translations often clarify these as a raisin cake, a wineskin, or a sacred golden pitcher. This variety highlights the importance of context in biblical interpretation and the evolution of translation practices.
The Sacred Golden Pitcher
The primary and most theologically significant use of "flagon" is in the context of the Tabernacle furnishings. In Exodus 25:29 and Exodus 37:16, the KJV translates the Hebrew word qeshawoth as "flagons." These were not the large, handled jugs the English word suggests, but rather small, ornate golden pitchers or jars. Their sole purpose was to hold the wine for the drink offerings that accompanied the sacrificial system (Numbers 4:7, where the same word is translated "cups"). These vessels were part of the sacred equipment on the Table of Showbread, symbolizing the continual offering and dedication of the people's sustenance to God.
Raisin Cakes and Wineskins
In other passages, the KJV's use of "flagon" is now understood differently. In 2 Samuel 6:19 and Song of Solomon 2:5, the Hebrew 'ashishah is translated as "flagon" but refers to a pressed cake of raisins. These were a sweet, nutritious food often associated with celebration and sustenance (1 Chronicles 16:3; Hosea 3:1). Modern versions like the ESV and NIV correctly render this as "cake of raisins."
Furthermore, in Isaiah 22:24, the KJV translates nebhalim as "flagons." This word almost universally refers to containers made from whole animal skins—essentially leather bottles or wineskins for storing and transporting liquids like water, wine, or milk (1 Samuel 1:24; 10:3). These were essential everyday items in a nomadic and agricultural society.
Historical and Cultural Context
Archaeology and ancient Near Eastern texts confirm the use of all three objects. Fine pottery and metal juglets, analogous to the golden qeshawoth, have been found in cultic settings. Raisin cakes are attested as common foodstuffs and even as offerings in some pagan rituals, which may inform the prophetic critique in Hosea 3:1. Animal-skin bottles were ubiquitous across the ancient world for their durability; they appear in Egyptian art and are mentioned in other contemporary writings. The confusion in older English translations arose from the 17th-century meaning of "flagon" as a general term for a vessel, which has since become more specific.
Significance for Readers Today
Examining the "flagon" demonstrates the precision of Israel's worship. The dedicated golden pitchers show that every element of ritual, down to the specific vessel, was ordained to honor God's holiness. The raisin cakes and wineskins ground the biblical narrative in tangible, everyday life—from David's public celebration to a lover's gift in the Song of Songs. This study also serves as a practical lesson in hermeneutics, showing why consulting multiple translations and understanding historical context is crucial for accurate biblical understanding. The true meaning is found not in the English word, but in the original Hebrew object and its purpose in the text.
Biblical Context
The term appears in three main contexts: 1) As sacred vessels (qeshawoth) in the descriptions of the Tabernacle's furnishings in Exodus and Numbers. 2) As a food item ('ashishah), a raisin cake, distributed during celebrations like David's bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:19, 1 Chronicles 16:3) and used metaphorically in poetry (Song of Solomon 2:5; Hosea 3:1). 3) Once in Isaiah 22:24, translating nebhalim (typically "skins" or "bottles") in a prophecy against Shebna.
Theological Significance
The golden flagons (pitchers) highlight the theology of offering and God's provision. They were used for drink offerings, which symbolized the pouring out of one's life or gratitude to God (Philippians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6). Their presence on the holy Table of Showbread alongside the bread of the Presence showed that both solid and liquid sustenance, representing life's necessities, were consecrated to God. This points forward to the ultimate drink offering of Christ's blood and the Christian call to offer themselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
Historical Background
Extra-biblical evidence supports this understanding. Ancient inventories from temples in the Near East list specific vessels for libations. Raisin cakes are frequently mentioned in Mesopotamian and Ugaritic texts as common food and cultic items. Animal-skin containers are well-documented across ancient cultures. The translation "flagon" reflects the 17th-century English usage for a vessel, often for wine, which has since become archaic and misleading for modern readers.