New Testament Word & Image: 2 Timothy 4:6-18 & the Art of Libation Vessels



Ancient Roman bronze statuette of a priest, his head ritually covered, extending a patera in a gesture of libation.

2 Timothy 4:6-18



Libation using patera at a symposium (Attic red-figure cup, ca. 480 BC)

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.


A small rhinoceros horn libation vessel, ca. 17th/18th century. In the form of a lotus leaf, the exterior carved and pierced with a crab crawling beside prunus and lotus branches forming the handle and base, the horn of a rich honey tone

Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.


Golden rhyton (libation vessel) from Iran's Achaemenid period. Excavated at Ecbatana. Kept at National Museum of Iran.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.


Ancient Egyptian Libation Vessel of Manuwai, New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, reign of Thutmose III

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

A MESOPOTAMIAN SHELL LIBATION VESSEL EARLY DYNASTIC IIA, CIRCA 2550-2400 B.C.
Formed from the fasciolaria trapezium (trapezium horse conch shell), the spiral formations hollowed towards one tapering end, the polished exterior with fine incisions along the edge, decorated with a linear motif across the upper surface, an open notch below, and a head in profile to the right on one side, with an aquiline nose, an almond-shaped eye with the pupil indicated, and a slightly upturned mouth, the hair bound in a fillet and undulating behind in one thick lock