Sponge
a soft, porous marine substance. Sponges were for a long time supposed to be plants, but are now considered by the best naturalists to belong to the animal kingdom. Sponge is mentioned only in the New Testament.
(Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; John 19:29) The commercial value of the sponge was known from very early times; and although there appears to be no notice of it in the Old Testament, yet it is probable that it was used by the ancient Hebrews, who could readily have obtained it good from the Mediterranean, where it was principally found.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Sponge
Sponge spunj (spoggos): The word "sponge," the King James Version "spunge," occurs only in the accounts of our Lord's crucifixion in Mt 27:48; Mr 15:36; Joh 19:29. Sponges have been known from the earliest periods. They are mentioned by Homer, Aeschylus, Aristophanes and other ancient writers. The sponge fisheries of the Eastern Mediterranean are still among the most important in the world. Sponges are animals of a very simple organization, fixed to rocks or other objects in the sea or in fresh water. The marketable sponge consists of a mass of soft interlacing fibers which constituted the skeleton of the living animal. The sponge fishers of the Levant dive from boats, with or without diving apparatus, and tear the sponges from the rocks with their hands. The sponges are allowed to die and rot in the air and are then thoroughly washed until nothing but the skeleton remains. Sponges which have calcareous or silicious skeletons are unfit for use. ⇒See a list of verses on SPONGE in the Bible. Alfred Ely Day ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Sponge
The medium by which vinegar or sour wine was carried to the mouth of Jesus on the cross (Mt 27**, Mk 15", Jn 19^). This well-known substance is a porous, fibrous framework, composed of a material called keratode, invested by a fleshy covering and lining of amceboid bodies. Sponges grow only in sea water, near the coast, and mostly in the warmer seas of the globe, although some kinds are found even in the jiolar regions. Sponge fishin" is a considerable industry along the coasts of Syria, Asia Minor, and the iEgean Sea. The divers go out in row-boats or sailboats, a short distance from the shore ; they then strip, and holding in their hands, high above their heads, a heavy stone attached to a rope, fill their chests with air, and then plunge, stone downmost, and so rapidly reach the bottom. They often dive to a depth of 60 ft. or more. They then walk or creep quickly along the bottom, holding the stone to steady themselves, and tear the sponges oil tho stones to which they are attached, and put them into a netted bag hung around their neck. When they are exhausted they jerk the rope,…
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Sponge
Mat 27:48; Mar 15:36; Joh 19:29; Psa 69:21. Found on rocks in deep water in the Levant and the parts of the Mediterranean which wash the Grecian Isles.
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia