"a vessel, utensil for containing anything, Mk. 11:16; Lk. 8:16; Rom. 9:21; any utensil, instrument; σκεύη, household stuff, furniture, goods, etc., Mt. 12:29; Mk. 3:27; the mast of a ship, or, the sail, Acts 27:17; met. an instrument, means, organ, minister, Acts 9:15; σκεύη ὀργῆ..."
Definition and meaning
a vessel, utensil for containing anything, Mk. 11:16; Lk. 8:16; Rom. 9:21; any utensil, instrument; σκεύη, household stuff, furniture, goods, etc., Mt. 12:29; Mk. 3:27; the mast of a ship, or, the sail, Acts 27:17; met. an instrument, means, organ, minister, Acts 9:15; σκεύη ὀργῆς and σκεύη ἐλέους, vessels of wrath, or, of mercy, persons visited by punishment, or, the divine favor, Rom. 9:22, 23; the vessel or frame of the human individual, 1 Thess. 4:4; 1 Pet. 3:7
In the original Greek the word is written: σκεῦος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of skeuos (G4632) across the King James Bible.
Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
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Common questions
Strong's G4632 (skeuos) is a Greek word that means: a vessel, utensil for containing anything, Mk. 11:16; Lk. 8:16; Rom. 9:21; any utensil, instrument; σκεύη, household stuff, furniture, goods, etc., Mt. 12:29; Mk. 3:27; the mast of a ship, or, the sai... It appears 22 times in the King James Bible.
The word skeuos (G4632) appears 22 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4632 is skeuos, a Greek word defined as: a vessel, utensil for containing anything, Mk. 11:16; Lk. 8:16; Rom. 9:21; any utensil, instrument; σκεύη, household stuff, furniture, goods, etc., Mt. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
skeuos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.