from סָלַל; properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), i.e. an osier; but only as woven into abasket; basket.
Transliteration:çal
Pronunciation:sal
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H5536}}` (סַל, *sal*) denotes a "basket." Its etymological root is traced to `{{H5549}}` (סָלַל, *salal*), meaning "to cast up, to pile up, to make a highway." While the direct semantic link to the root is not immediately obvious in the final form, it likely refers to the act of "piling up" or "heaping" the contents within the basket, or perhaps the "raising" or "forming" of the basket itself through weaving. The base definition clarifies that `{{H5536}}` properly refers to a "willow twig (as pendulous), i.e., an osier," but crucially, it is *only* used in the biblical text to describe the object woven *from* such materials—a basket. Thus, its semantic range is tightly focused on this specific type of container, implying a woven structure, likely from flexible plant materials like willow or osier, designed for carrying or holding various items, particularly food.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H5536}}` appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in contexts related to food, offerings, and ritual.
* In [[Genesis 40:16-18]], `{{H5536}}` is central to Pharaoh's chief baker's dream. He dreams of three "white baskets" (probably referring to baskets of fine bread or pastries) on his head, from which birds eat. This imagery, interpreted by Joseph, portends the baker's execution and his body being eaten by birds, highlighting the basket as a container of vulnerability and a symbol of impending judgment.
* The term is prominently featured in the consecration rituals for priests in [[Exodus 29:3]], [[Exodus 29:23]], and [[Exodus 29:32]], and reiterated in [[Leviticus 8:2]], [[Leviticus 8:26]], and [[Leviticus 8:31]]. Here, the "basket of unleavened bread" (`{{H5536}}` with `{{H4682}}` for unleavened bread) is a vital component of the ordination offering, containing unleavened cakes, oil cakes, and wafers. This basket serves as a sacred vessel, presenting the elements necessary for the priests to be set apart for divine service, underscoring its role in ritual purity and covenantal relationship.
* Similarly, in [[Numbers 6:15]], [[Numbers 6:17]], and [[Numbers 6:19]], `{{H5536}}` is mentioned in the context of the Nazirite vow. Upon completion of the vow, the Nazirite brings a "basket of unleavened cakes" as part of their offering to the Lord, again linking the basket to sacred offerings and the fulfillment of a vow.
* Finally, in [[Judges 6:19]], Gideon prepares a meal for the Angel of the Lord, bringing "unleavened cakes in a basket" along with meat. The angel touches the meat and cakes with his staff, and fire consumes them, signifying divine acceptance and a miraculous sign. Here, the basket is a common container for food but also becomes part of a profound divine encounter.
Across these contexts, `{{H5536}}` consistently functions as a container for food, often food designated for sacred purposes, divine interaction, or as part of a significant ritual.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root `{{H5549}}` (סָלַל, *salal*), which means "to lift up, to cast up, to make a highway." While the direct connection to a basket is not immediately obvious, it might subtly allude to the act of "building up" or "forming" the basket through weaving, or the basket's function of "holding up" or "containing" its contents.
Other Hebrew words for "basket" or general containers include:
* `{{H2955}}` (טֶנֶא, *ṭeneʼ*): Often translated as "basket," specifically used for carrying firstfruits in [[Deuteronomy 26:2]], [[Deuteronomy 26:4]]. This suggests a basket for specific ceremonial purposes.
* `{{H3700}}` (כְּלִי, *kĕlî*): A very broad term meaning "vessel, implement, article, utensil." While it can encompass any container, including a basket, it lacks the specific material or construction implications of `{{H5536}}`.
* `{{H1736}}` (דּוּד, *dûd*): Can refer to a pot or a basket, often for boiling or carrying, as seen in [[Jeremiah 24:2]] for "baskets of figs."
The concept of `{{H5536}}` is intertwined with themes of:
* **Offering and Sacrifice:** Its frequent appearance in priestly consecration and Nazirite vows highlights its role in presenting sacred food to God.
* **Provision:** The basket holds food, whether for human consumption or divine offering, symbolizing sustenance.
* **Vulnerability and Judgment:** As seen in the chief baker's dream, the contents of the basket can be exposed to external forces, signifying impending fate.
* **Ritual Purity:** The specific contents (unleavened bread) and the context of its use in consecration underscore its association with purity and holiness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5536}}` emerges from its consistent use in sacred contexts. The "basket of unleavened bread" in the ordination of priests and the Nazirite vow signifies the essential elements of a consecrated life. The purity of the unleavened bread (without leaven, a symbol of corruption) held within the basket underscores the demand for holiness in those who serve God. The basket, a simple, utilitarian object made from natural materials, becomes a vessel for divine interaction, elevating the common to the sacred.
In the narrative of Pharaoh's baker, the basket's contents being consumed by birds speaks to divine judgment and the fragility of human plans when opposed to God's will. Conversely, in Gideon's encounter, the consumption of the basket's contents by divine fire signifies God's acceptance and miraculous power. Thus, `{{H5536}}` serves as a tangible link between the human realm of preparation and offering, and the divine realm of acceptance, judgment, or miraculous intervention. It represents the means by which humanity presents itself and its provisions before the Almighty, and through which God responds.
### Summary
The Hebrew term `{{H5536}}` (סַל, *sal*) specifically denotes a woven basket, typically crafted from pliable materials like willow or osier. While its etymological root `{{H5549}}` (סָלַל, *salal*) suggests "to cast up" or "to pile up," the biblical usage of `{{H5536}}` is exclusively for the finished container. Its occurrences are concentrated in narratives involving food, particularly in the context of sacred offerings and rituals. `{{H5536}}` is central to the consecration of priests and the completion of Nazirite vows, where it functions as a vessel for unleavened bread and cakes, symbolizing purity and dedication. It also appears in narratives of divine judgment (Pharaoh's baker's dream) and miraculous intervention (Gideon's offering). Theologically, `{{H5536}}` represents a humble yet vital instrument in the presentation of offerings to God, underscoring themes of ritual purity, divine acceptance, and the profound significance of human actions within a covenantal relationship. It is a simple object imbued with deep symbolic weight, bridging the mundane and the sacred in biblical worship and narrative.
TRV