1311. bashel
Lexical Summary
bashel: boiled

Original Word: בָּשֵׁל
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: bashel
Pronunciation: baw-shel'
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-shale')
KJV: X at all, sodden
NASB: boiled
Word Origin: [from H1310 (בָּשַׁל - boil)]

1. boiled

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sodden

From bashal; boiled -- X at all, sodden.

see HEBREW bashal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from 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.
2. Visual typology. Roasting preserves the form of the lamb, a vivid foreshadowing of Christ, the Passover sacrifice whose bones were not broken (John 19:36).
3. Urgency and simplicity. Roasting could be done quickly over open flames, matching the mandate to eat “in haste” (Exodus 12:11).

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.
2. Priest and vow-keeper together. The priest places the boiled portion into the Nazirite’s hands, dramatizing that consecration and everyday nourishment both come from God.
3. Balance of fire and water. The ram was first offered on the altar (fire) and then a selected piece was boiled (water). The combination displays divine provision through varied means without compromising holiness.

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).
• Symbolic interplay of fire and water. Fire often pictures judgment or purification; water commonly portrays cleansing or life. Together they convey a complete sanctifying work that anticipates the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the finished work of Christ (John 3:5; 1 John 1:7).
• Obedience over personal preference. The exclusion of boiling at Passover challenges modern believers to submit culinary, cultural, and personal customs to the clear word of God (Matthew 15:9).

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.
2. Celebrating ordinances. Like the Nazirite, congregations can view baptismal or communion meals as moments when sacred commitment and common sustenance meet.
3. Household worship. Families preparing meals can recall that ancient Israel’s kitchens were places of remembrance and covenant instruction (Deuteronomy 6:6–9).

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 uvaShel
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Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 12:9
HEB: מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙ נָ֔א וּבָשֵׁ֥ל מְבֻשָּׁ֖ל בַּמָּ֑יִם
INT: any raw sodden boiled water

Numbers 6:19
HEB: אֶת־ הַזְּרֹ֣עַ בְּשֵׁלָה֮ מִן־ הָאַיִל֒
NAS: shoulder [when it has been] boiled, and one
KJV: shall take the sodden shoulder
INT: the priest shoulder boiled at the ram's

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1311
2 Occurrences


bə·šê·lāh — 1 Occ.
ū·ḇā·šêl — 1 Occ.

1310
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