H0070 H0070
birthstool, potter's wheel; dual form referring to two stones or discs
A Hebrew word appearing in two very different contexts. In Exodus 1:16, it refers to the birthstool—the stone seat or dual-stone support used during childbirth, which Hebrew midwives were ordered to inspect. In Jeremiah 18:3, it denotes the potter's wheel with its two rotating discs. The dual form suggests paired stones: either the two supports of a birthing stool or the double-disc mechanism of a potter's wheel. Both involve critical moments of formation—bringing forth life or shaping clay.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The dual form indicates a two-part structure. Ancient birthing practices involved women squatting on a stool with two stones or supports (Egyptian art and terra cotta figurines confirm this), allowing gravity to assist delivery. The Septuagint translates Exodus 1:16 as 'birthing seats.' Jeremiah 18:3 describes the prophet observing a potter at his wheel—two stone discs rotating, one above the other. The semantic connection lies in the dual-stone structure and transformative process: birth and pottery-making both involve careful shaping at a critical moment. 2×
AR["الْدَوَّارَةِ", "الْكُرْسِيِّ"]·ben["-চাকাগুলির।", "প্রসব-পাথরে"]·DE["[האבנים]", "der-birthstool"]·EN["the-birthstool", "the-wheel"]·FR["[האבנים]", "le-birthstool"]·heb["ה-אבניים", "ה-אבנים"]·HI["चाक", "पतथर"]·ID["batu-kelahiran", "roda"]·IT["[האבנים]", "il-birthstool"]·jav["kursi-lair", "prabotan."]·KO["그-물레들에서", "돌들"]·PT["as-pedras-de-parto", "as-rodas."]·RU["кругах", "родильные-камни"]·ES["las-piedras"]·SW["mawe", "viti-vya-kuzalia"]·TR["taşların"]·urd["پتھر-کے", "چاک-پر"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [אֹבֶן] n.[m.] wheel, disc.—Du. הָאָבְנָ֑יִם— 1. potter’s wheel Je 18:3 (two discs revolving one above the other; name from likeness to mill-stones; v. AW18). 2. עַל־הָא׳ Ex 1:16 prob. = sella parturientis, = δίφροι λοχειαῖοι bearing-stool, midwife’s stool (fr. likeness to potter’s wheel; on custom of labor upon stool v. PlossDas Weib, 2nd ed. ii, 35, 179 etc. & Cesnola Coll. fr. Cyprus,…