עֲטִין

עֲטִין

a receptacle (for milk, i.e. pail; figuratively, breast)

Definition

The Hebrew noun עֲטִין (ʻăṭîyn) refers to a container or receptacle, specifically one used for holding milk. Its primary literal meaning is a pail or vessel for dairy products. Figuratively, it is used to denote the human breast as a container of milk, symbolizing nourishment and abundance. This dual sense is seen in its single biblical occurrence in Job 21:24, where it poetically describes a person's body being full of vitality and prosperity. The word captures both a concrete agricultural object and a metaphorical image of physical blessing.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 21:24. It is used in a poetic context within Job's speech, describing the prosperous wicked person whose 'pails' (or 'breasts') are full of milk, symbolizing physical health and abundance. The usage is metaphorical, employing an agricultural image (a milk pail) to depict human bodily fullness and vigor. It occurs in wisdom literature, reflecting a vivid, concrete metaphor for prosperity.

Etymology

Derived from an unused Hebrew root likely meaning 'to contain' or 'to hold'. The noun form suggests a container or receptacle. Cognates in other Semitic languages support the sense of a vessel or something that holds liquid. The development from a general 'container' to specifically a 'milk pail' and then figuratively to 'breast' illustrates a natural semantic shift based on function—both hold nourishing milk.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, עֲטִין contributes to the theology of blessing and retribution in the Book of Job. In Job 21:24, it illustrates the paradox of the wicked prospering with visible, tangible signs of God's blessing (like full nourishment), challenging simplistic views of divine justice. Understanding this Hebrew metaphor enriches reading by highlighting the concrete, physical terms in which ancient Israelites conceived of prosperity and well-being, deepening reflection on God's mysterious ways. In ancient Israelite culture, dairy products were vital, and milk pails were common agricultural tools. The metaphor of a full milk pail would immediately convey ideas of abundance, health, and agricultural success. The figurative leap to the human breast reflects a worldview that saw the body as a container of life forces, with milk symbolizing sustenance and vitality. This differs from modern abstract terms for prosperity, grounding blessing in tangible, everyday objects. חָלָב (chālāv, H2461) — 'milk'; the liquid contained, not the container. שָׁד (shad, H7699) — 'breast'; specifically the body part, often used metaphorically for nourishment (e.g., Genesis 49:25), without the container imagery. דְּלִי (dəlî, H1805) — 'bucket' or 'pail'; a general water vessel, not specifically for milk.

Word Details