The Hebrew word tsêlâchâh, represented by H6745, refers to a pan or platter. It is derived from a root meaning something protracted or flattened out. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in the entire Bible, within a single verse.
The sole use of H6745 is found in 2 Chronicles 35:13, which describes the preparation of offerings during King Josiah's great Passover celebration. The verse specifies that while the passover H6453 offering was roasted with fire H784 as prescribed by the ordinance H4941, the other holy H6944 offerings were boiled. These offerings were prepared in a variety of cooking vessels: "in pots H5518, and in caldrons H1731, and in pans H6745."
The context of H6745 is illuminated by several related terms associated with cooking and ceremony:
- H1310 bâshal: This root word means "to boil up" or "to be done in cooking." It describes the specific action performed with the pans in 2 Chronicles 35:13, where offerings were "sod" or boiled. It is also used for preparing pottage 2 Kings 4:38 and in the prohibition against seething a kid in its mother's milk Exodus 23:19.
- H5518 çîyr: This term for a "pot" is listed directly alongside H6745. These pots were used for both everyday cooking and sacred purposes, with the prophet Zechariah foretelling a time when every pot in Jerusalem would be considered "holiness unto the LORD" Zechariah 14:21.
- H1731 dûwd: Meaning a "pot (for boiling)" or "caldron," this vessel is also mentioned in the same list. Its usage extends from a cooking kettle 1 Samuel 2:14 to a basket for carrying items Jeremiah 24:2.
- H6453 peçach: This word for the "passover" provides the direct ceremonial context for the use of the pan. It refers to the festival and its associated victim, an event governed by specific rules Exodus 12:11.
While a simple object, the thematic significance of H6745 is tied to its role in sacred ritual.
- Ceremonial Order: Its mention in 2 Chronicles 35:13 underscores the detailed and orderly nature of worship according to the divine "ordinance" H4941. The proper preparation of holy offerings required specific tools for specific tasks.
- Distinction in Holiness: The verse differentiates between the method for preparing the primary Passover offering (roasting with fire) and the other holy H6944 offerings (boiling in pots, caldrons, and pans). This highlights a hierarchy and distinction within sacred preparations.
- Sacred Utility: The use of a common pan for preparing a holy H6944 offering demonstrates how ordinary items could be set apart for a consecrated purpose, serving a function within the tabernacle or temple service.
In summary, H6745 is a highly specific term for a pan or platter whose singular biblical appearance firmly places it within the context of sacred ceremony. Its use in 2 Chronicles 35:13 during the Passover celebration illustrates the careful and prescribed methods for preparing holy offerings. Although a mundane cooking vessel, its role in fulfilling the ordinance highlights how everyday objects were integrated into the meticulous practice of Israel's worship.
TRV