mortar in the Bible

also known as: morter

Hebrew: homer), cement of lime and sand (Genesis 11:3; Exodus 1:14); also potter's clay (Isaiah 41:25; Nahum 3:14)

Also Hebrew: 'aphar, usually translated as “dust”

This word has 2 different meanings.

1. Mortar, meaning clay or mud used for cement between bricks or stone masonry in buildings and walls (Leviticus 14:42, 45)

   Lime was used to make cement mortar.

2. Mortar, a a cup-shaped receptacle of stone used for pulverizing grains or other substances by use of a pestle instead of a mill (Proverbs 27:22)

   The Israelites used mortars in the wilderness for pounding the manna (Numbers 11:8).

   Mortars were commonly used in Israel to pound wheat to make flours and breads.

More information

• CLAY in the Bible
• Building
• Stone
• Mason
• Milling
• WHEAT in the Bible
• Barley