### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
**G4553 (σαργάνη / sargánē)** denotes a "basket," specifically one characterized by its construction from interwoven or wicker-work. The etymological connection to the Hebrew root `{{H8276}}` (śārag), meaning "to intertwine, weave, plait," strongly reinforces this understanding. This suggests a container made from flexible, braided materials such as branches, reeds, or twigs, giving it both strength and a degree of pliability. The semantic range of *sargánē* is quite narrow, focusing exclusively on this type of woven receptacle, often implying a robust and sizable container suitable for carrying or lowering objects, even a person.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term **G4553 (σαργάνη / sargánē)** appears only once in the New Testament, found in [[2 Corinthians 11:33]]. In this verse, the Apostle Paul recounts a perilous event from his past: "but through a window I was lowered in a basket through the wall and escaped his hands." This incident refers to his dramatic escape from Damascus, an event also recorded in [[Acts 9:25]]. Within the broader context of [[2 Corinthians 11]], Paul is defending his apostolic legitimacy against false apostles who boasted of their own credentials and challenged his authority. By listing his sufferings, hardships, and seemingly undignified experiences, Paul highlights his genuine commitment to Christ and reliance on God's power amidst weakness, rather than relying on worldly status or power. The "basket" in this context was clearly large enough to contain an adult man, serving as a humble yet effective means of preservation from persecution.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the proposed Hebrew etymon `{{H8276}}` (śārag), which describes the act of intertwining or weaving. This connection underscores the physical construction of the *sargánē*.
Other Greek terms for "basket" found in the New Testament include:
* `{{G2894}}` (κόφινος / kóphinos): This term typically refers to a smaller, more portable basket, often associated with the disciples' baskets for carrying food, as seen in the feeding of the five thousand ([[Matthew 14:20]], [[Mark 6:43]], [[Luke 9:17]], [[John 6:13]]).
* `{{G4686}}` (σπυρίς / spyris): This term denotes a larger basket, often translated as a "hamper" or "provision basket." Significantly, *spyris* is the word used in the account of the feeding of the four thousand ([[Matthew 15:37]], [[Mark 8:8]]). More directly relevant, *spyris* is also the term used by Luke in [[Acts 9:25]] to describe the basket in which Paul was lowered from the wall of Damascus. The fact that Paul uses *sargánē* in [[2 Corinthians 11:33]] and Luke uses *spyris* for the same event suggests that these terms were either synonyms for a large woven basket or represented slight regional or stylistic variations for a similar object. Both terms clearly indicate a container substantial enough to hold a person.
### Theological Significance
Though appearing only once, the reference to **G4553 (σαργάνη / sargánē)** in Paul's narrative is replete with theological significance:
* **Embrace of Weakness:** Paul deliberately includes this undignified escape among his "boasts" of suffering ([[2 Corinthians 11:30]]). In a culture that valued honor and strength, being lowered in a basket was a humiliating experience. Paul transforms this perceived weakness into a powerful testimony to God's strength perfected in his weakness ([[2 Corinthians 12:9-10]]), thereby authenticating his ministry.
* **Divine Preservation and Providence:** The basket serves as a tangible symbol of God's providential care. Just as the infant Moses was preserved in a woven ark (similar to a basket) on the Nile, Paul's life was miraculously preserved by this humble means, allowing him to continue his vital missionary work. It underscores that God can utilize the most ordinary, or even demeaning, circumstances to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
* **Authenticity of Apostolic Ministry:** Paul's willingness to recount such a vulnerable moment distinguishes his ministry from that of the false apostles, whose boasts were likely rooted in worldly achievements and outward displays of power. His escape in a basket illustrates a ministry marked by genuine suffering and reliance on God, aligning with the pattern of Christ's own humility and suffering.
### Summary
**G4553 (σαργάνη / sargánē)** refers to a basket, specifically one constructed through interwoven or wicker-work, a meaning reinforced by its probable Hebrew etymology `{{H8276}}`. Its singular New Testament appearance in [[2 Corinthians 11:33]] describes the means of Paul's escape from Damascus. This "basket" was a large, sturdy container, and its use in this context highlights Paul's reliance on God's providence amidst great danger. Theologically, the *sargánē* symbolizes Paul's embrace of humility and weakness, serving as a powerful illustration of God's preserving power working through unconventional means. This seemingly insignificant detail underscores the authenticity of Paul's apostolic ministry, contrasting it with the superficial boasts of his opponents by demonstrating a life lived in humble dependence on Christ. While related to other Greek terms for "basket" like *spyris* `{{G4686}}` and *kóphinos* `{{G2894}}`, *sargánē* specifically emphasizes the woven nature of the container used in this pivotal escape narrative.
TRV