Lexical Summary bashel: boiled Original Word: בָּשֵׁל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sodden From bashal; boiled -- X at all, sodden. see HEBREW bashal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bashal Definition cooked, boiled NASB Translation boiled (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בָּשֵׁל adjective cooked, boiled (Assyrian bašlu, ripe COTGloss) — Exodus 12:9 בָּשֵׁל מְבֻשָּׁל במים; feminine בְּשֵׁלָה Numbers 6:19, (both P). Topical Lexicon Concept and Usage The verb points to the process of cooking meat in liquid. It appears only twice, each time within a detailed ritual context, underscoring how even mundane culinary acts were regulated by the covenant Lord. Exodus 12:9—Passover Distinctives “Do not eat any of it raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over the fire…” (Exodus 12:9). 1. Separation from Egyptian practice. Boiling was common in Egypt; Israel’s lamb had to be fire-roasted to mark a clean break with bondage. Numbers 6:19—Completion of the Nazirite Vow “Then the priest shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram…” (Numbers 6:19). 1. Celebratory fellowship. After months of abstention, the Nazirite shares a peace offering whose shoulder has been specially boiled, signalling restored participation in normal communal meals. Historical Background Boiling meat required ample water, fuel, and a clay or bronze vessel. Archaeological finds—from Late Bronze Age cooking pots to Iron Age tabuns—confirm that boiling was a familiar household method. Scripture, however, restricts it in certain sacrifices (e.g., 1 Samuel 2:13–15) to safeguard proper reverence. Theological Reflections • Divine ownership of the ordinary. God regulates even how meat is prepared, teaching Israel (and readers today) that no sphere of life is secular (Leviticus 10:10). Practical Ministry Implications 1. Teaching on holiness. Small commands yet carry vast theological weight; use Exodus 12:9 in discipleship materials to illustrate comprehensive obedience. Related Passages for Study Leviticus 8:31; 1 Samuel 2:13–15; 2 Chronicles 35:13; Ezekiel 24:3–5; John 19:36. Summary While occurring only twice, the term frames two milestone ceremonies—deliverance from Egypt and completion of a Nazirite vow. In both, God directs the preparation of food to proclaim redemption, consecration, and fellowship, pointing ultimately to the Lamb of God who fulfills every ritual in perfect obedience. Forms and Transliterations בְּשֵׁלָה֮ בשלה וּבָשֵׁ֥ל ובשל bə·šê·lāh bəšêlāh besheLah ū·ḇā·šêl ūḇāšêl uvaShelLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 12:9 HEB: מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ נָ֔א וּבָשֵׁ֥ל מְבֻשָּׁ֖ל בַּמָּ֑יִם INT: any raw sodden boiled water Numbers 6:19 2 Occurrences |