Mortar, a place in or near Jerusalem inhabited by silver merchants (Zeph. 1:11). It has been conjectured that it was the “Phoenician quarter” of the city, where the traders of that nation resided, after the Oriental custom.

(a mortar or deep hollow), a place evidently in Jerusalem, the inhabitants of which are denounced by Zephaniah. (Zephaniah 1:11) Ewald conjectures that it was the Phoenician quarter” of the city.