Box

(פִּך, pak', rendered "vial" in 1Sa 10:1), a flask or bottle for holding oil and perfumery (2Ki 9:1); like the ἀλάβαστρον, or alabaster "box" of ointment in Mr 14:3. SEE ALABASTER; SEE OIL; SEE BOTTLE. Among the Egyptians, similar small boxes, made of wood or ivory, were numerous, and, like the vases, of many forms; and some, which contained cosmetics of divers kinds, served to deck the dressing- table or a lady's boudoir. They were carved in various ways, and loaded with ornamental devices in relief; sometimes representing the favorite lotusflower, with its buds and stalks, a goose, gazelle, fox, or other animal. Many were of considerable length, terminating in a hollow shell, not unlike a spoon in shape and depth, covered with a lid turning on a pin; and to this, which may properly be styled the box, the remaining part was merely an accessory, intended for ornament, or serving as a handle (Wilkinson, Anc. Egyptians, abridgm. i, 158-164).