Lexical Summary sal: Basket Original Word: סַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance basket From calal; properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), i.e. An osier; but only as woven into a basket -- basket. see HEBREW calal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition basket NASB Translation basket (13), baskets (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs סַל noun masculineGenesis 40:16 basket; — ׳ס absolute Genesis 40:17 +; construct Exodus 29:23 +; plural סַלִּים Genesis 40:18; construct סַלֵּי Genesis 40:16; — basket Genesis 40:16,17 (twice in verse); Genesis 40:18 (E) Judges 6:19; Exodus 29:3 (twice in verse); Exodus 29:28,32; Leviticus 8:2,26,31; Numbers 6:15,17,19. Topical Lexicon OverviewThe Hebrew noun סַל (sal) denotes a woven basket. Scripture employs the term fifteen times, spanning patriarchal history, priestly legislation, Nazarite ritual, and prophetic encounter. While the object is ordinary, its contexts consistently underscore divine provision, consecration, and covenant fellowship. Narrative Uses 1. Genesis 40:16-18. The chief baker’s dream features “three baskets of white bread” on his head. The dream foretells judgment, contrasting Joseph’s exaltation with the baker’s demise. The basket here serves as a vivid image of human vocation evaluated by God. 2. Judges 6:19. Gideon, fearful yet obedient, places prepared meat in a basket before the Angel of the LORD. The humble vessel carries an offering that receives supernatural fire, linking commonplace utensils with divine revelation. These two accounts frame the basket within personal encounters where God tests or calls individuals, showing that ordinary settings become arenas of redemptive purpose. Priestly and Levitical Usage Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8 record the consecration of Aaron and his sons. A “basket of unleavened bread” accompanies the ram of ordination: • Exodus 29:3 – “Put them in a basket and present them in the basket, along with the bull and the two rams.” The basket safeguards bread set apart for holy service, distinguishing it from common fare. Its woven structure allows air to circulate, keeping the loaves fresh during the lengthy ordination rite. By enclosing unleavened cakes—symbolic of sincerity and truth—the basket visually separates sanctified provision from Egypt’s leavened corruption (Exodus 12:15). Role in the Nazarite Vow Numbers 6:15-19 introduces the Nazarite’s “basket of unleavened bread.” Upon completing the vow, the Nazarite presents hair, peace offerings, and bread together: • Numbers 6:17 – “He shall offer the basket of unleavened bread beside the ram.” The basket becomes a portable altar, gathering the symbols of separated life to be waved before the LORD. Its presence emphasizes holistic devotion—body (hair), sustenance (bread), and fellowship (peace offering) united in worship. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near Eastern baskets were typically woven from palm leaves, reeds, or rushes. Lightweight yet sturdy, they allowed transportation of grain, bread, or produce on the head (Genesis 40:16-17), freeing the hands for balance. Egyptian wall paintings depict multi-tiered baskets similar to the baker’s dream, corroborating the historicity of the Genesis narrative. Within Israel, baskets also featured during harvest (Deuteronomy 26:2) and wilderness provisioning (Numbers 11:8, though a different Hebrew term). סַל, however, is reserved for bread-related contexts, highlighting its culinary and ritual function. Symbolic Threads 1. Provision and Dependence. Whether in prison, a threshing floor, or the Tabernacle courtyard, the basket carries bread—a staple that points to God as Sustainer (Psalm 104:15). 2. Mediated Holiness. Bread in a basket must be brought by priest or Nazarite, teaching that access to the holy requires ordained mediation until the ultimate High Priest arrives. 3. Judgment and Salvation. Two officials dream of baskets; one is restored, one condemned. Later, Gideon’s basketed meal signals deliverance from Midian. The same vessel thus illustrates both covenant blessing and curse, depending on relational stance toward God. Foreshadowing Christ The consecration bread “without yeast” anticipates the sinless Messiah, “the bread of God… who comes down from heaven” (John 6:33). The basket, enclosing and presenting this bread, prefigures the incarnation in which divine life is carried within a humble, earthly vessel. Furthermore, New Testament feedings utilize baskets (though Greek words differ), echoing Old Testament scenes where God satisfies multitudes through sanctified bread. Ministry Applications • Worship leaders can employ the image of the basket to teach about orderly presentation of offerings, stressing both purity (unleavened) and gratitude. Conclusion The סַל is more than a utility item; it is a theological metaphor woven through Torah and narrative. Whether cradling consecration bread, bearing prophetic symbolism in a dream, or conveying a modest meal to the Angel of the LORD, the basket silently proclaims that all sustenance and service belong in God’s hands. Forms and Transliterations בְּסַ֣ל בַּסַּ֔ל בַּסָּ֑ל בסל הַסַּ֔ל הַסַּ֖ל הַסַּלִּ֔ים הסל הסלים וְסַ֣ל וּבַסַּ֣ל וּמִסַּ֨ל ובסל ומסל וסל מִסַּל֙ מסל סַ֣ל סַ֥ל סַלֵּ֥י סל סלי bas·sal bas·sāl bassal bassāl bə·sal beSal bəsal has·sal has·sal·lîm hassal hassalLim hassallîm mis·sal missal sal sal·lê sallê salLei ū·ḇas·sal ū·mis·sal ūḇassal umisSal ūmissal uvasSal veSal wə·sal wəsalLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 40:16 HEB: וְהִנֵּ֗ה שְׁלֹשָׁ֛ה סַלֵּ֥י חֹרִ֖י עַל־ NAS: [there were] three baskets of white bread KJV: white baskets on my head: INT: and behold three baskets of white on Genesis 40:17 Genesis 40:17 Genesis 40:18 Exodus 29:3 Exodus 29:3 Exodus 29:23 Exodus 29:32 Leviticus 8:2 Leviticus 8:26 Leviticus 8:31 Numbers 6:15 Numbers 6:17 Numbers 6:19 Judges 6:19 15 Occurrences |