POTSHERD.) The kinds of pottery found are aids in identifying different cultures, or in dating occupation layers at such sites, as are inscriptions sometimes appearing on these items. Estimates of population density of a particular place in ancient times have also been based on the quantity of such fragments discovered there.

The potter’s authority over the clay is used illustratively to show Jehovah’s sovereignty over individuals and nations. (Isa. 29:15, 16; 64:8) To God the house of Israel was “as the clay in the hand of the potter,” He being the Great Potter. (Jer. 18:1-10) Man is in no position to contend with God, just as clay would not be expected to challenge the one shaping it. (Isa. 45:9) As an earthenware vessel can be smashed, so Jehovah can bring devastating calamity upon a people in punishment for wrongdoing.—Jer. 19:1-11.

Concerning the Messianic king’s exercise of God-given authority against the nations, it was foretold: “You will break them with an iron scepter, as though a potter’s vessel you will dash them to pieces.”—Ps. 2:9; compare Daniel 2:44; Revelation 2:26, 27; 12:5.

From a single lump of clay the potter could make a vessel for an honorable use and another for a dishonorable, a common or ordinary use. Similarly, Jehovah has authority to mold individuals as he pleases, and has tolerated wicked ones, “vessels of wrath made fit for destruction,” but this has worked to the benefit of “vessels of mercy,” persons comprising spiritual Israel.—Rom. 9:14-26.

POTTER’S FIELD

After remorseful Judas threw into the temple the betrayal price of thirty pieces of silver, the chief priests used the money to buy “the potter’s field to bury strangers.” (Matt. 27:3-10) The field came to be known as Akeldama or “Field of Blood.” (Acts 1:18, 19; see AKELDAMA.) Since the fourth century C.E. this field has been identified with a location on the S slope of the Hinnom valley, just before it joins the Kidron valley.

The expression “the potter’s field” does not specifically indicate whether the field was one simply owned by a potter, or was called that because, at some point in its history, it was an area where potters pursued their craft. The latter, though, seems probable if the traditional site is correct. It would be near the Gate of the Potsherds (or “Gate of the Potters,” according to Dr. J. Simons in Jerusalem in the Old Testament), mentioned in Jeremiah 19:1, 2. (Compare Jeremiah 18:2.) Even in recent times the necessary raw material, clay, has been available in the vicinity. Also, making pottery required a good water supply, and the site was close to the spring at En-rogel and the pool of Siloam as well as near such water as might be in the Hinnom valley in the winter.

POUND

[Gr., liʹtra].

A weight mentioned only at John 12:3 and 19:39. The Greek term is usually equated with the Roman pound (Latin, libra, from. which the English abbreviation “lb” for pound is drawn). Thus it was a little less than twelve ounces avoirdupois or about 327 grams. Some versions render the Greek word mna as “pound” (Luke 19:18, AV, Dy, JB, WY), but it is more appropriately rendered “mina.” (Da, Fn, Ro, NW) Whereas “pound” is used in the Bible just as a weight or measurement, “mina” is a monetary weight indicating a specific value of gold or silver.

POWER, POWERFUL WORKS

[Heb., koʹahh, power; g^evu·rahʹ, mightiness; ʽoz, strength; Gr., dyʹna·mis, power, powerful works, ability (from this term come the English words dynamo, dynamite, dynamic)] .

Power means the ability to perform acts, the capacity to accomplish things, to do work. At the close of the sixth creative “day” God began “resting from all his work that [he had] created for the purpose of making.” (Gen. 2:2, 3) He rested from these creative works, but his power has since not become dormant or remained quiescent. Over 4,000 years after the completion of earthly creation his Son stated: “My Father has kept working until how, and I keep working.” (John 5:17) Not only as regards the spirit realm has Jehovah been active; the Bible record pulsates with his expressions of power and his mighty acts toward humankind. Though at times he has “kept quiet . . . exercising self-control,” whenever his due time came to act he has taken vigorous action with “full might.”—Isa. 42:13, 14; compare Psalm 80:2; Isaiah 63:15.

“Work” indicates purposeful activity. Jehovah’s acts are not isolated, unrelated or erratic expressions of energy but coordinated, purposeful acts with a definite end in view. Although his power sustains the universe and the living creatures in it (Ps. 136:25; 148:2-6; Matt. 5:45), Jehovah is not like an impersonal power plant; his acts prove he is a personal and purposeful God. He is also a historical God, as he has perceptively intervened in human affairs at definite dates of history, at specified places, and with regard to particular persons or peoples. As the “living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9; Josh. 3:10; Jer. 10:10), he has shown himself aware of all that is taking place in universal time and space, reacting according to what has occurred as well as taking the initiative in furthering his purpose.

In every case, his varied expressions of power have been in harmony with his righteousness (Ps. 98:1, 2; 111:2, 3, 7; Isa. 5:16); they all bring enlightenment to his creatures. They show on the one hand that fear of him “is fitting,” for he is a God “exacting exclusive devotion” and a “consuming fire” against those practicing wickedness, making it a “fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Jer. 10:6, 7; Ex. 20:5; Heb. 10:26-31; 12:28, 29) He is not to be trifled with.—Ex. 8:29.

On the other hand, his use of power is even more wonderfully manifest in rewarding righteous-hearted persons sincerely seeking him, strengthening them to do assigned tasks and needful work (Ps. 84:5-7; Isa. 40:29-31), to endure under stress (Ps. 46:1; Isa. 25:4), providing for and sustaining them (Ps. 145:14-16), protecting, saving and liberating them in times of danger and aggression. (Ps. 20:6, 7) “His eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.” (2 Chron. 16:9) Those who come to know him find his name to be a “strong tower” to which they can turn. (Prov. 18:10; Ps. 91:1-8) Knowledge of his mighty acts gives assurance that he hears the prayers of his trusting servants and is able to answer, if necessary, with “fear-inspiring things in righteousness.” (Ps. 65:2, 5) In a figurative sense, he is “near,” and hence can be swift in responding.—Ps. 145:18, 19; Jude 24, 25.

POWER MANIFEST IN CREATION

Humans see evidence of power in all physical creation, in the immense and countless stellar bodies (compare Job 38:31-33), as well as all earthly things. The very soil has power (Gen. 4:12), producing food that gives strength (1 Sam. 28:22), and power is seen in all living things, plants, animals and man. In modern times the tremendous power potential in even the minute atomic elements forming all matter has also become well known. Scientists sometimes call matter “organized energy.”

Throughout the Scriptures God’s power and “dynamic energy” as the Maker of heaven and earth are repeatedly highlighted. (Isa. 40:25, 26; Jer. 10:12; 32:17) The very term for “God” in Hebrew (‘El) is believed to have the root meaning of “mighty” or “powerful.” (Compare the use of the term at Genesis 31:29 in the expression the “power [ʼel] of my hand.”)

NEED ARISES FOR SPECIAL DEMONSTRATIONS OF POWER

The first man knew Jehovah God as his Creator, his only Parent and Life-giver. God endowed man with a measure of power, intellectual and physical, and gave him work to perform. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15) Such exercise