MORTAR

This well-known utensil was employed by the Hebrews in preparing manna for use, Nu 11:8. Large iron mortars, for pounding grain, have been used by the Turks in the execution of criminals; but it is not known that the Jews ever practiced this mode of punishment. To this day a favorite article of food in Syria is prepared by pounding meat for hours in an iron mortar, and adding grain and spice while the process of "braying" goes on, Pr 27:22.

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Mortar. Mortar
(Heb. homer), cement of lime and sand (Gen. 11:3; Ex. 1:14); also potter’s clay (Isa. 41:25; Nah. 3:14). Also Heb. ‘aphar, usually rendered “dust,” clay or mud used for cement in building (Lev. 14:42, 45).

Mortar for pulverizing (Prov. 27:22) grain or other substances by means of a pestle instead of a mill. Mortars were used in the wilderness for pounding the manna (Num. 11:8). It is commonly used in Palestine at the present day to pound wheat, from which the Arabs make a favourite dish called kibby.

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MORTAR. 1. An instrument for pulverizing grain Nu 11:8; Pr 27:22
* See GRINDING
* See MILL

2. A cement Ex 1:14
* Slime used as, in building tower of Babel Ge 11:3
* Used to plaster house Le 14:42,45
* Untempered, not enduring Eze 22:28
* To be trodden to make firm Na 3:14

→ FIGURATIVE Isa 41:25

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(1) Cement or Slime Ex 1:14; Le 14:42; Eze 13:10; Na 3:14 (2) A vessel for Pulverizing Substances Nu 11:8; Pr 27:22

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mortar. Mortar, n. a cement used in buildings, vessel to pound in, bomb-cannon, lamp

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Mor″tar (?), n. [[OE. morter, AS. mortēre, L. mortarium: cf. F. mortier mortar. Cf. sense 2 (below), also 2d Mortar, Martel, Morter.]] 1. 1. A strong vessel, commonly in form of an inverted bell, in which substances are pounded or rubbed with a pestle.
2. 2. [[F. mortier, fr. L. mortarium mortar (for trituarating).]] (Mil.) A short piece of ordnance, used for throwing bombs, carcasses, shells, etc., at high angles of elevation, as 45°, and even higher; — so named from its resemblance in shape to the utensil above described.
Mortar bed (Mil.), a framework of wood and iron, suitably hollowed out to receive the breech and trunnions of a mortar. — Mortar boat or vessel (Naut.), a boat strongly built and adapted to carrying a mortar or mortars for bombarding; a bomb ketch. — Mortar piece, a mortar. Shak.