### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word bâshêl (`{{H1311}}`) functions primarily as an adjective or a passive participle, deriving directly from the verb bâshal (`{{H1310}}`), meaning "to boil" or "to cook." Its core meaning, therefore, is "boiled" or "cooked." The term describes a state of transformation from a raw condition to one prepared by the application of heat, specifically through boiling in water. The definition also includes "sodden," which implies a state of being thoroughly permeated and softened by boiling, sometimes to the point of being overcooked or mushy. While the Strong's definition includes an idiomatic "at all," this seems less directly applicable to the adjectival form bâshêl itself in its biblical occurrences and is more often associated with the verbal root in negative constructions. The primary semantic range revolves around the physical state of food prepared through boiling.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of bâshêl (`{{H1311}}`) in the Hebrew Bible are few but highly significant, appearing exclusively in contexts related to food preparation, particularly sacrificial meat:
* **[[Exodus 12:9]]**: In the instructions for the Passover lamb, the text commands, "Do not eat any of it raw or boiled (בָּשֵׁל) with water, but roasted with fire—its head, its legs, and its inner parts." Here, bâshêl stands in stark contrast to "raw" (`{{H5197}}`) and "roasted" (from `{{H6740}}`), explicitly prohibiting the boiling of the Passover sacrifice. This highlights a specific ritual requirement for the preparation of this foundational meal.
* **[[1 Samuel 2:13]]**: Describing the corrupt practices of Eli's sons, the text states, "When any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant would come, while the meat was boiling (בַּשֵּׁל), with a three-pronged fork in his hand." Here, bâshêl functions as a participle, indicating the state of the meat "being boiled" or "cooked." This passage sets the scene for their abuse of priestly privilege.
* **[[1 Samuel 2:15]]**: Further elaborating on the impiety of Eli's sons, it is written, "Before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, 'Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled (בָּשֵׁל) meat from you, but raw.'" This verse again contrasts "boiled" meat with "raw" meat, but more importantly, it reveals the priests' rejection of the standard, cooked priestly portion in favor of raw meat they could prepare for themselves, demonstrating their greed and contempt for the Lord's offerings.
In all contexts, bâshêl refers to meat that has undergone the process of boiling, a common method of cooking. Its significance lies not merely in the act of boiling itself, but in the ritual implications of this specific preparation method within the worship life of Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the verbal root bâshal (`{{H1310}}`), from which bâshêl (`{{H1311}}`) is derived. This verb means "to boil, to cook," and also "to ripen" (as in fruit), indicating a process of maturation or transformation through heat or time.
Other related concepts and contrasting terms include:
* qalah (`{{H7033}}`): "to roast, to parch." This is the prescribed method for the Passover lamb, standing in direct opposition to bâshêl.
* nay (`{{H5197}}`): "raw." This term is used in contrast to both "boiled" and "roasted" meat, emphasizing the state of being unprepared.
* Concepts of sacrifice: bâshêl is intrinsically linked to the preparation of sacrificial offerings, highlighting the specific requirements for ritual purity and acceptance before God.
* Concepts of purity and defilement: The manner of preparing food, especially sacred food, was often tied to the broader laws of purity and holiness in Israel.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of bâshêl (`{{H1311}}`) emerges most clearly from its application in the ritual laws concerning sacrifices:
1. **The Passover Lamb and Divine Prescription:** The prohibition against eating the Passover lamb "boiled" (bâshêl) in [[Exodus 12:9]] is profoundly significant. The command to roast the lamb whole, without breaking a bone, emphasizes the integrity and completeness of the sacrifice. Boiling, which might separate the meat from the bone or make it "sodden," could be seen as compromising this integrity. Furthermore, roasting often retained the blood within the meat more than boiling, which could drain it into water, potentially connecting to the sanctity of blood as the life force. The specific instruction to roast, rather than boil, underscores the precise nature of God's commands and the importance of obedience in worship. It distinguishes Israelite practice from potential pagan rituals that sometimes involved boiling sacrificial meat.
2. **Priestly Conduct and Corruption:** The narrative in [[1 Samuel 2:13]] and [[1 Samuel 2:15]] uses bâshêl to expose the egregious sin of Eli's sons. Traditionally, the priests were entitled to a portion of the sacrificial meat that had been boiled, signifying a settled, lawful distribution according to divine ordinance. However, Hophni and Phinehas demanded raw meat to roast for themselves, rejecting the "boiled" portion. This act was a blatant disregard for the Lord's prescribed offerings and a manifestation of their greed and contempt for holy things. Their rejection of the bâshêl portion symbolized their subversion of the divine order, leading to severe divine judgment. Thus, bâshêl here becomes a marker of proper, divinely ordained ritual practice, whose rejection signals profound spiritual corruption.
In essence, bâshêl speaks to the transformation of matter for sacred purposes, and the theological weight lies in *how* that transformation is permitted or forbidden by divine command, revealing principles of obedience, holiness, and the consequences of disobedience.
### Summary
Bâshêl (`{{H1311}}`) denotes the state of being "boiled" or "cooked," derived from the verb bâshal (`{{H1310}}`). Though appearing in only a few biblical passages, its usage carries significant theological weight. In the context of the Passover, the explicit prohibition against eating the lamb bâshêl (boiled) and the command to roast it whole, highlights the precise nature of divine instruction, underscoring themes of integrity, completeness, and obedience in worship. Conversely, in the account of Eli's sons, their rejection of the bâshêl (boiled) priestly portion in favor of raw meat for roasting reveals their profound disrespect for God's holy ordinances and their personal greed, serving as a stark warning against corruption within sacred service. Thus, bâshêl is more than a culinary term; it is a word deeply embedded in the ritual and moral fabric of Israel's relationship with God, signifying adherence to or rebellion against divine will.
TRV