The Greek word sargánē, represented by G4553, refers to a basket, specifically one that is interwoven or made of wicker-work. Apparently of Hebrew origin, this term is exceptionally rare in scripture, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse.
In its sole biblical appearance, G4553 is the key object in the Apostle Paul's dramatic escape. He recounts being let down in a basket through a window and by the city wall, allowing him to escape the hands of those who sought to capture him 2 Corinthians 11:33. The basket is the literal vehicle of his deliverance in this specific and memorable narrative.
Several related words help construct the scene of this escape:
- G5465 chaláō: This word means to let down or lower. It describes the action taken with the basket to facilitate Paul's flight 2 Corinthians 11:33.
- G2376 thyrís: Defined as an aperture or window, this term specifies the exit point from which Paul was lowered 2 Corinthians 11:33.
- G5038 teîchos: This word for wall signifies the large barrier that was bypassed using the basket, a detail mentioned in both accounts of the escape (2 Corinthians 11:33, Acts 9:25).
- G1628 ekpheúgō: Meaning to flee out or escape, this verb states the ultimate purpose and successful outcome of being lowered in the basket 2 Corinthians 11:33.
The narrative weight of G4553 is tied directly to its function in the story of Paul's escape. It serves as a clear example of practical deliverance.
- An Instrument of Escape: The basket is presented as a crucial physical tool. It is the simple, man-made object used to navigate a perilous situation and secure Paul's safety from his enemies' hands 2 Corinthians 11:33.
- A Humble Means of Safety: The use of a common basket for an apostle's escape highlights a method that is practical and without heroic spectacle, emphasizing reliance on ordinary means.
- Providential Aid: The event shows how practical tools and the help of others, who let down the basket, were used to overcome a seemingly insurmountable wall and ensure a key figure could continue his work.
In summary, G4553 sargánē is a highly specific term whose entire biblical meaning is contained within a single, vivid event. It is remembered not for its theological complexity but as the humble, functional object used in Paul's escape. The verse where it is found illustrates how a simple wicker-work basket became the means of deliverance, demonstrating that ordinary items can play a crucial role in the unfolding of biblical events.
TRV