### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word tsâlîy (`{{H6748}}`) functions as a passive participle derived from the verbal root tsâlâh (`{{H6747}}`), meaning "to roast" or "to be roasted." Its core semantic range centers on the state of being subjected to intense heat, typically by fire, resulting in a cooked condition. It specifically denotes something that has undergone the process of roasting, emphasizing the outcome rather than the agent of the action. This term is distinct from other cooking methods, such as boiling, highlighting a particular, often ritually significant, preparation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of tsâlîy (`{{H6748}}`) in the Hebrew Bible are limited but highly significant, exclusively appearing in contexts related to the preparation of the Passover lamb.
* **[[Exodus 12:8]]**: This is the foundational passage for the use of tsâlîy. In the divine instructions for the first Passover, the Lord commands, "They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and unleavened bread with bitter herbs." The phrase "roasted with fire" (tsâlîy 'êsh) is a direct and explicit command, contrasting sharply with any other method of preparation. The immediate context emphasizes the urgency and specificity of the Passover meal, which was to be consumed quickly and entirely. The prohibition against eating it "raw or boiled in water" (`{{H1310}}`) further underscores the importance of the roasted preparation.
* **[[2 Chronicles 35:13]]**: This verse describes King Josiah's great Passover celebration, reiterating the adherence to the ancient custom: "And they roasted the Passover lambs with fire according to the ordinance, and they boiled the holy offerings in pots and in caldrons and in pans, and carried them quickly to all the people." Here, tsâlîy (`{{H6748}}`) again specifies the cooking method for the Passover lambs, while other sacrifices (holy offerings) were boiled. This distinction highlights the unique and unalterable nature of the Passover lamb's preparation, demonstrating a faithful observance of the Mosaic law centuries later.
In both instances, the term is inextricably linked to the Passover, signifying a divinely mandated method of preparation for a sacred meal.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding tsâlîy (`{{H6748}}`) is enhanced by examining its relationship to other biblical terms and concepts:
* **tsâlâh (`{{H6747}}`)**: This is the verbal root from which tsâlîy is derived. It means "to roast, to burn up." The passive participle tsâlîy describes the state resulting from the action of tsâlâh.
* **bâshal (`{{H1310}}`)**: Meaning "to boil, to cook," this verb is explicitly contrasted with tsâlîy in [[Exodus 12:9]]. The prohibition against boiling the Passover lamb emphasizes the unique ritual significance of roasting.
* **'êsh (`{{H784}}`)**: "Fire." Roasting inherently involves fire, which in biblical thought carries significant symbolic weight, representing divine presence, purification, judgment, and the means of sacrifice. The phrase "roasted with fire" (tsâlîy 'êsh) emphasizes the direct application of intense heat.
* **pesach (`{{H6453}}`)**: "Passover." The ritual of the Passover, particularly the sacrifice and consumption of the lamb, is the sole context in which tsâlîy appears. The specific preparation method is integral to the observance of this pivotal redemptive event.
* **Sacrifice and Offering**: The concept of bringing an offering to God, often involving fire, is central to Israelite worship. The roasted lamb fits within this broader sacrificial framework, though it is primarily a meal of communion and remembrance.
### Theological Significance
The specific instruction to eat the Passover lamb "roasted with fire" (`{{H6748}}`) carries profound theological implications:
* **Divine Command and Obedience**: The meticulous detail regarding the preparation of the Passover lamb underscores the importance of precise obedience to God's commands. Every aspect of the ritual was divinely ordained, serving as a test of faith and a demonstration of Israel's submission to their covenant Lord.
* **Symbolism of Fire**: Roasting by fire suggests a complete and thorough cooking, leaving no part uncooked. The transformative power of fire, often associated with purification and judgment in Scripture, might symbolize the complete destruction of sin or the thoroughness of God's judgment that "passed over" Israel. It also ensured the entire lamb was consumed or burned, preventing any improper handling of remains.
* **Sacrificial Purity and Integrity**: The prohibition against boiling may have been intended to maintain the integrity of the lamb's blood, which was sacred and not to be consumed (cf. [[Leviticus 17:11]]). Roasting would consume the blood within the animal, aligning with the sanctity of life represented by blood. It also ensured that the lamb was consumed quickly and completely, leaving no opportunity for it to spoil or become ritually impure.
* **Foreshadowing of Christ**: As the Passover lamb is a powerful type of Christ, the "roasted" aspect can be seen as a foreshadowing of His suffering and sacrifice. Christ's sacrifice on the cross was a complete offering, fully consumed by the "fire" of divine wrath against sin, yet perfectly pure and unblemished. His suffering was total and comprehensive, akin to a lamb roasted completely by fire, leaving nothing undone for our redemption.
### Summary
The Hebrew word tsâlîy (`{{H6748}}`) denotes something "roasted," specifically by fire. Though infrequent in its biblical occurrences, its presence is critically significant, being exclusively applied to the preparation of the Passover lamb in [[Exodus 12:8]] and [[2 Chronicles 35:13]]. This divinely mandated method of cooking, explicitly contrasted with boiling, highlights the importance of precise obedience to God's commands. Theologically, the "roasted" lamb symbolizes the thoroughness of God's judgment and the complete, unblemished nature of the sacrificial offering. It serves as a powerful prefigurement of the complete and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fully bore the "fire" of divine judgment for humanity's redemption.
TRV