ὑδρία (G5201) — Greek Lexicon

ὑδρία

hydría

G5201 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A jar or vessel, typically made of clay or pottery, designed for carrying and storing water; in extended contexts, also any large container used for liquid storage, especially in a household setting. In the New Testament and broader Hellenistic usage, primarily refers to a household water jar.

Semantic Range

water jar, water pot, household vessel for water, container for liquid storage, vessel for ritual washing

Root / Etymology

From ὕδωρ (water) + the suffix -ία, indicating an object associated with the root; thus, 'water vessel.' Related to the root ὑδρ- (hydor), 'water.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ὑδρία is attested as a standard term for a jar or vessel intended to hold water, most often used in domestic settings for drawing, carrying, and storing water. Its earliest attestations are in classical Greek (e.g., Herodotus) as a general household item. In Greek literature, the typical ὑδρία is associated with women's work, as drawing and carrying water from a public well was a common domestic duty (cf. Gen 24:15 LXX). In the Septuagint, ὑδρία often translates Hebrew כַּד (kad, jar), and signifies a household water jar or pot. In the New Testament, notably at John 2:6-7 and 4:28, it designates substantial vessels used for storing water, integral to daily life and purification rituals. Standard English translations (e.g., "water jar," "water pot") render the basic sense but sometimes obscure the object’s size, material (often pottery), and its role in daily domestic and ritual practices. Compared to other vessel terms such as κεράμιον (small jar) or λέβης (cauldron, deep vessel), ὑδρία usually denotes a specifically designed jar for water, moderately large, sometimes with two handles and a wide mouth. It does not commonly refer to wine or oil containers and is more specific than generic terms for pottery, such as σκεῦος or ἄγγος.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ὕδωρ; a water-jar, i.e. receptacle for family supply:--water-pot.

Root Family

ὑδρία (hydría) — water, vessel, container

Root ὑδρ- water, vessel, to contain

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5201-03`	ὑδρίας	udrias	`N ACC F PL`	waterpots	water vessels	water vessels	1
`G5201-02`	ὑδρίαν	udrian	`N ACC F SG`	waterpot	a water jar	water jar	1
`G5201-01`	ὑδρίαι	udriai	`N NOM F PL`	waterpots	water jars	water jars	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5201-01`	John 2:6	ὑδρίαι	udriai	`N NOM F PL`	waterpots	water jars	water jars
`G5201-03`	John 2:7	ὑδρίας	udrias	`N ACC F PL`	waterpots	water vessels	water vessels
`G5201-02`	John 4:28	ὑδρίαν	udrian	`N ACC F SG`	waterpot	a water jar	water jar

← G5200 Greek Lexicon G5202 →