בָּשַׁל

bâshal /baw-shal'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root · properly, to boil up
Meaninghence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
KJV usagebake, boil, bring forth, roast, seethe, sod (be sodden).
Copy as

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word bâshal, represented by H1310, is a primitive root that properly means to boil up. It appears 28 times across 24 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning extends from being done in cooking to figuratively signifying ripening, and is variously translated as bake, boil, bring forth, roast, seethe, and sodden.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H1310 is used in diverse contexts, from daily life to sacred ritual and dire warnings. It describes the preparation of food for the Sabbath, where the Israelites were instructed to "seethe that ye will seethe" Exodus 16:23. It is central to ceremonial law, as in the command to "Boil the flesh" of the consecration ram in a holy place Leviticus 8:31. The word is also used figuratively, as in the prophecy of Joel where the harvest is "ripe" Joel 3:13, signaling a time of judgment. In a grim depiction of a city under siege, it describes the horrific act where "pitiful women have sodden their own children" Lamentations 4:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the scope of food preparation and ritual action in Scripture:

  • H644 'âphâh (to cook, especially to bake): This word is often used alongside H1310 to encompass all forms of cooking, as seen in the command for Sabbath preparation: "bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe" Exodus 16:23.
  • H6740 tsâlâh (to roast): This term is contrasted with boiling. In the context of a sacrifice, a priest's servant demands flesh to "roast," refusing "sodden" H1310 flesh 1 Samuel 2:15.
  • H2076 zâbach (to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)): This action is a prerequisite for cooking meat. After Elisha returned from his calling, he "slew" a yoke of oxen and "boiled" H1310 their flesh for the people 1 Kings 19:21.
  • H5518 çîyr (a pot): This is the vessel used for boiling. Elisha instructs his servant to "Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage" for the sons of the prophets 2 Kings 4:38.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1310 is demonstrated through its application in law and prophecy.

  • Ritual and Holiness: The word is integral to defining what is holy. The proper cooking of sacrifices, such as the Passover offering 2 Chronicles 35:13 and sin offerings Ezekiel 46:20, is a matter of religious law. The repeated prohibition, "Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk" Exodus 23:19, establishes a clear boundary for God's people.
  • Figurative Readiness: The concept of being "boiled" or "cooked" is used as a metaphor for being ready or complete. This is seen when grapes are described as "brought forth ripe" Genesis 40:10 and when the harvest is "ripe" Joel 3:13, indicating the time for action or judgment has arrived.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: In its most disturbing usage, H1310 illustrates the dire consequences of turning away from God. The act of boiling one's own child during a famine is a stark portrayal of judgment and desperation 2 Kings 6:29.

Summary

In summary, H1310 is a versatile word whose meaning extends far beyond the simple act of cooking. It defines methods of preparing food for both daily sustenance and sacred ceremony, playing a key role in the legal and ritual life of Israel. Figuratively, it serves as a powerful metaphor for ripeness, completion, and the terrible finality of divine judgment, demonstrating how a common domestic term can convey profound theological truths.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 28 occurrences, inflected in 20 grammatical forms.

  • Piel Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 2nd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 2×
  • Piel Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 2×
  • Pual Participle Passive Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 1st Plural common gender 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Piel Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×

+ 8 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 24 verses across 14 books. Most frequent in Exodus (5 verses).

1
Genesis
5
Exodus
2
Leviticus
1
Numbers
2
Deuteronomy
2
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
1
1 Kings
2
2 Kings
1
2 Chronicles
1
Lamentations
3
Ezekiel
1
Joel
1
Zechariah

Verse Explorer

Select a verse to begin.