Dish
Dish
stands in the Auth. Vers. as the translation of the following terms in the original Scriptures: סֵפֶל (se'hel, something low, a "dish" of curdled milk, Jg 5:25; or "bowl" of water, Jg 6:38), probably a flat and not very deep or large vessel or pan for fluids; צִלָּחִת (tsallach'ath, something to pour into, a "dish" for eating from, 2Ki 21:13; incorrectly rendered "bosom" in Pr 19:24; Pr 26:15, in describing the slothful glutton), probably a platter, as the kindred terms (צֵלָח - ה, "pan," 2Ch 35:13; צלֹחִית, "cruse," 2Ki 2:20) signify in general; but the most usual term is קצָרָה (kedrah', something deep), spoken of the silver "dishes" of the Tabernacle (Ex 25:29; Ex 37:16; Nu 4:7; rendered a " charger" in Numbers 7), translated by the Sept. τρύβλιον, which is the term rendered "dish" in Mt 26:23; Mr 14:20. These last terms agree with the form of the Egyptian dish as found on the monuments. The dishes have covers, and the manner in which they are carried by the servants to the table on the reverted hand is the mode still used by Eastern servants. The other terms probably represent different forms of dishes such as are now in use among the Eastern nations. SEE SNUFF-DISH. The sites of such ancient towns as were built of sun- dried bricks are usually covered with broken potsherds, some of them large enough to indicate the form of the entire vessel. These are remarkably similar to those in modern use, and are for the most part made of a rather coarse earthenware, covered with a compact and strong glaze, with bright colors, mostly green, blue, or yellow. Dishes and other vessels of copper, coarsely but thickly tinned, are now much used in the East, but how far this may have been anciently the case we have not the means of knowing. SEE CUP; SEE BOWL; SEE BOTTLE; SEE CRUSE; SEE PAN; SEE PITCHER; SEE FLAGON, etc. Numerous bronze dishes have lately been discovered by Layard and others in the Assyrian. mounds, some entire and others in fragments, which show a high degree of elegance and skill (Layard, Nin. and Bab. page 155 sq.). In ancient Egypt, and also in Judaea, guests at the table handled their food with the fingers, but spoons were used for soup or other liquid food, when required (Wilkinson, Anc. Egypt. 1:181, 2d ed.). The same is the case in modern Egypt. Each person breaks off a small piece of bread, dips it in the dish, and then conveys it to his mouth, together with a small portion of the meat or other contents of the dish. To pick out a delicate morsel and hand it to a friend is esteemed a compliment, and to refuse such an offering is contrary to good manners. Judas dipping his hand in the same dish with our Lord was showing especial friendliness and intimacy (Lane, Mod. Egypt. 1:193; Chardin, Voy. 4:53, 54; Niebuhr, Descr. de l'Arab. Page 46). SEE BASIN; SEE CHARGER.
