Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
For holding oil or perfumery (Mk. 14:3). It was of the form of a flask or bottle. The Hebrew word (pak) used for it is more appropriately rendered "vial" in 1 Sam. 10:1, and should also be so rendered in 2 Ki. 9:1, where alone else it occurs.