Had its place? What does it mean? And others

Question

I've run into a sentence like the following and have few questions.

The pot cup which was on the wooden trestle on the left, had its place in the Bible, when Jesus pleads with God.

First of all why ", had its place in the Bible," is there comma on the beginning and at the end? Is it because is it non-defining relative clause?
So could we say "which had its place in the Bible" which is omitted?

And what is the thing that "had its place in the Bible"? Is it the pot cup?

And should I understand from "had its place in the Bible" like "exist in the Bible" or "which could be found in the Bible"?

So basically what does it mean?

David M · Answer

Had its place is an idiom that means:

Played a role in some activity.  Was appropriate in.

As for the punctuation, this is completely non-standard and adds nothing to the understanding of the meaning.

It should likely be:

The pot cup, which was on the wooden trestle on the left, had its place in the Bible when Jesus pleads with God.

Punctuated thusly, it makes which was on the wooden trestle on the left a parenthetical statement which identifies which pot cup in particular we're discussing here.

Punctuation, unfortunately, is mostly a matter of style.  It's primary function should be to clarify meaning.  So, as such, no one can make an authoritative statement on the propriety of a comma's placement.  Instead, one can point you to a manual of style which contains recommendations which help to make your point properly understood.

Had its place? What does it mean? And others

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