Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H2789: חֶרֶשׂ (cheres) • meaning "earthenware" or "potsherd," often used in the Old Testament to describe pottery or clay vessels.
• H6083: עָפָר (aphar) • meaning "dust" or "clay," used to denote the material from which humans were created, emphasizing human frailty and mortality.

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term ὀστράκινος, illustrating its theological significance in the New Testament and its connection to the broader biblical narrative of human fragility and divine power.

Usage: The term ὀστράκινος is used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe the human body or vessels as fragile and perishable, emphasizing the contrast between the weakness of human nature and the power of God.

Context: The Greek term ὀστράκινος appears in the New Testament in contexts that highlight the frailty and impermanence of human life. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, the Apostle Paul uses this term to describe "jars of clay" (ὀστράκινα σκεύη) to illustrate the paradox of the Christian life: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us" (BSB). Here, the "treasure" refers to the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ, which is entrusted to believers despite their human weakness. The imagery of clay jars underscores the idea that, although believers are fragile and mortal, they carry within them the powerful and eternal message of the Gospel. This metaphor serves to remind Christians of their dependence on God's strength and the transformative power of His presence within them.