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Bible Encyclopedias
CHARGER.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or The silver vessels offered by the heads of the tribes for the service of the Tabernacle (Numbers 8) are thus termed in our translation, being in the original קְעָרָה (keä rah´, literally a deep dish), a bowl, elsewhere rendered "dish" (Exodus 25:29; Exodus 36:16; Numbers 4:7). These are said to have been of silver, and to have weighed each 130 shekels, or 65 oz. (Hussey, Anc. Weights, chap. 9, p. 190). The "charger" upon which the Baptist's head was presented to Herodias (comp. Homer, Il. 1:141) must have been a large platter (πίναξ, strictly a broad tablet [comp. πινακίδιον a writing-tablet, Luke 1:63], hence a wooden trencher, Matthew 14:8; Matthew 14:11; Mark 6:25; Mark 6:28; rendered "platter" in Luke 11:39). The "chargers" of gold and silver, in Ezra 1:9 (אֲגִרְטָל, agartal'), were probably, as interpreted by the Sept., Vulg., and Syriac, basins for containing the blood of sacrifices; although others make them to have been baskets for first-fruit offerings. (See BASIN); (See DISH).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'CHARGER.'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/c/charger.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
