Alabaster Jar

A jar made of alabaster stone, often used for storing ointments and perfumes.

Alabaster ointment pot (Egypt, 2000-100 BCE)
Alabaster ointment pot (Egypt, 2000–100 BCE) (© Wellcome Images, UK, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons) Alabaster jar, alabaster flask

About Alabaster Jar

The alabaster jar was a jar made of calcite stone. This jar normally had a rather long neck that had to be broken off for the contents to be used. It served primarily as a container for precious substances such as perfumes. Such jars were usually small.

Read full article

Key References

Matthew 26:7

a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

Mark 14:3

While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.

Luke 7:37

When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.

All Scripture References (3)

Matthew (1)
Matthew 26:7

a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

Mark (1)
Mark 14:3

While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.

Luke (1)
Luke 7:37

When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.