Original Word: אָסוֹךְ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: acuwk
Pronunciation: ah-SOOK
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-sook')
KJV: pot
NASB: jar
Word Origin: [from H5480 (סוּך - To anoint)]

1. anointed
2. an oil-flask

pot

From cuwk; anointed, i.e. An oil-flask -- pot.

see HEBREW cuwk

Word Origin
from suk
Definition
a flask
NASB Translation
jar (1).

אָסוךְ noun [masculine] flask (for pouring, anointing); — apparently construct שֶׁמֶן ׳אָ 2 Kings 4:2, compare Kö^{ii. 1, 139, 401, 494}; yet form unusual and text dubious; Gr מֶסֶךְ or מִסְכָּה; Klo מַּךְ.

Biblical Context

The single appearance of אָסוֹךְ is in 2 Kings 4:2. Here a recently widowed woman, burdened by debt and threatened with the loss of her sons to slavery, tells the prophet Elisha, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a flask of oil”. That solitary container becomes the point of divine intervention: through Elisha, the oil is multiplied until every borrowed vessel is full and the debt erased. The narrative sets the tone for understanding the term not merely as a household article but as a vehicle of God’s compassionate provision.

Cultural and Historical Background

In the Iron Age homes of Israel, olive oil was indispensable—for cooking, light, hygiene, medicine, and ritual. Families stored it in a range of pottery, from large amphorae to diminutive juglets. The אָסוֹךְ denotes one of the smallest containers, likely a hand-held juglet with a narrow neck and stoppered mouth, designed to preserve valuable oil from evaporation or contamination. Archaeological digs across Judah and the northern kingdom have uncovered such flasks, often only a few inches tall, confirming their ubiquity in daily life.

Symbolic and Theological Significance

1. Scarcity and Surplus: The narrator emphasizes the widow’s destitution—“nothing … but a flask”—to frame the miracle. Scripture repeatedly showcases God turning minimal human resources into abundance (Exodus 16:13-18; John 6:9-13).
2. Oil as Anointing: Throughout the Old Testament, oil signifies consecration and empowerment (Exodus 29:7; 1 Samuel 16:13). Though unstated, the same substance that anointed kings now rescues the oppressed, foreshadowing the Spirit’s ministry to “bind up the brokenhearted” (Isaiah 61:1).
3. Earthen Vessel Typology: A fragile flask holding priceless oil anticipates Paul’s description of believers as “treasures in jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7), highlighting God’s power amid human weakness.

Intertextual Parallels

• 1 Kings 17:12-16 – Elijah and the widow’s dwindling oil and flour.
• Psalm 23:5 – “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
• Matthew 25:1-13 – Ten virgins carry oil flasks, underscoring readiness for the Bridegroom.
• Mark 14:3 – A woman breaks an alabaster flask of costly nard, another example of a small vessel releasing great value.

Applications for Faith and Ministry

• Trust in Divine Provision: Even when resources appear insignificant, God invites faith-filled obedience, turning scarcity into sufficiency.
• Stewardship of Small Things: Ministry often begins with what is “in the house.” Recognizing and surrendering small gifts allows the Lord to multiply impact.
• Compassion for the Vulnerable: Elisha’s response models pastoral care—listening, affirming dignity, and involving the community (borrowing vessels) in the solution.

Archaeological and Material Culture Notes

Typical Iron Age juglets—wheel-made, burnished, and sometimes decorated—held between 30 and 100 milliliters. Residue analysis frequently confirms olive oil content. Such findings align with the biblical testimony, lending historical credibility to the narrative details.

Summary

אָסוֹךְ, though occurring only once, encapsulates a profound theme: God meets dire need through what little is offered to Him. The humble oil flask thus stands as a witness to divine generosity, the efficacy of prophetic ministry, and the enduring truth that “the LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

אָס֥וּךְ אסוך ’ā·sūḵ ’āsūḵ aSuchInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts