John Gill Commentary John 2:6

"Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews` manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece." — John 2:6 (ASV)

And there were set six water pots of stone To distinguish them from other vessels made of different matter: for the Jews had vessels made of dust, and the dung of beasts, (Mynba ylk) , "vessels of stone", vessels of earth, vessels made of shells, vessels of nitre, vessels made of the bones and skins of fishes ^F20 .

And as these vessels were very likely for washing of hands, such were used for that purpose: their rule is ^F21 , ``they may put water for the hands in all sorts of vessels; in vessels of dung, in stone vessels, and in vessels of earth.''

At a wedding were set vessels of various sizes to wash hands and feet in; there was one vessel called (alkyvm) , which the gloss says was a large pitcher, or basin, out of which the whole company washed their hands and their feet; and there was another called (atlkyvm) , which was a lesser and beautiful basin, which was set alone for the more honourable persons, as for the bride, and for any gentlewoman {w}; and such might be these six stone jars, or pots:

after the manner of the purifying of the Jews ; or "for the purifying either Jews", as the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions render it; that is, for the washing of them, their hands and feet, and their vessels, pots, and cups, according to the traditions of the elders; see (Mark 7:2Mark 7:3Mark 7:4) ;

containing two or three firkins apiece . The Ethiopic version reads, "some held two measures, and some three"; how large the "metreta", or "measure" was, which we render a "firkin", is not certain; it is most likely it answered to the "Hebrew bath", which was a common measure of liquids with the Jews, and held four gallons and a half, or more; (See Gill on Luke 16:6); so that such of these vessels, that held two of these measures, contained nine gallons, and such as held three of them, thirteen gallons and a half; and six of these contained a large quantity of wine, one with another: and which makes the following miracle the greater; and shows the liberality of Christ the more, in providing for the following days of the feast, for a marriage was kept seven days ^F24 ; and for the family, some time after it was over.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F20: Misn. Celim, c. 10. sect. 1. & Maimon. & Bartenora in ib.
• F21: Misn. Yadaim, c. 1. sect. 2.
• F23: Gloss in T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 77. 2.
• F24: Maimon. Hilchot Ishot, c. 10. sect. 12, 13.