Bible Dictionaries
Dish

Holman Bible Dictionary

A utensil for holding or serving food. The Old Testament uses three terms for dish: a large, shallow metal dish (Judges 5:25; Judges 6:38 ), a platter (2 Kings 21:13 ), and a deep dish or bowl (Exodus 25:29; Exodus 37:16; Numbers 4:7; Numbers 7:13 ). Dishes were generally made of earthenware. Those made of wood were more highly prized (Leviticus 15:12 ). Dishes made of precious metal were used by the rich and in the Temple. In the Ancient Near East those gathered at a meal usually ate out of one central dish (Matthew 26:23; Mark 14:20 ). To offer a person a choice piece of food from the common dish was a special sign of hospitality.