Clay

As the sediment of water remaining in pits or in streets, the word is used frequently in the Old Testament. ( Psalms 18:42 ; Isaiah 57:20 ; Jeremiah 38:6 ) and in the New Testament, ( John 9:6 ) a mixture of sand or dust with spittle. It is also found in the sense of potters clay. ( Isaiah 41:25 ) The great seat of the pottery of the present day in Palestine is Gaza, where are made the vessels in dark-blue clay so frequently met with. Another use of clay was for sealing. ( Job 38:14 ) Our Lords tomb may have been thus sealed, ( Matthew 27:66 ) as also the earthen vessel containing the evidences of Jeremiahs purchase. ( Jeremiah 32:14 ) The seal used for public documents was rolled on the moist clay, and the tablet was then placed in the fire and baked.