Lexical Summary tene: Basket Original Word: טֶנֶא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance basket From an unused root probably meaning to weave; a basket (of interlaced osiers) -- basket. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a basket NASB Translation basket (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs טֶ֫נֶא noun masculineDeuteronomy 28:5 basket (Late Hebrew טְנִי is a large metal vessel) — absolute טֶ֫נֶא Deuteronomy 26:4, טֶ֑נֶא Deuteronomy 26:2; suffix טַנְאֲךָ Deuteronomy 28:5,17; in all a receptacle for products of soil (in last two "" מִשְׁאֶרֶת). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Cultural Settingטֶנֶא designates a woven basket used for gathering and transporting agricultural produce. Light enough to be carried on a pilgrimage yet sturdy enough to protect grain or figs, it represents the farmer’s link between field and sanctuary. The word’s confinement to Deuteronomy places it in the heart of Israel’s covenant life, where ordinary tools become vehicles of worship and covenant blessing. Biblical Occurrences • Deuteronomy 26:2 – firstfruits placed “in a basket” for presentation at the chosen sanctuary. These four texts anchor the basket in two covenant rituals: the presentation of firstfruits and the pronouncement of blessings and curses. Firstfruits and Covenant Worship In Deuteronomy 26 the worshiper fills the טֶנֶא with “the first of all your produce.” Carrying it to the sanctuary, he recites the historical creed that traces God’s faithfulness from the patriarchs through the Exodus to life in the land. The basket thus becomes a portable testimony that everything harvested belongs first to the LORD. By lifting it from the worshiper’s hands, the priest tangibly declares divine ownership and covenant gratitude. Symbol of Household Provision When Moses pronounces blessings and curses, the basket functions as shorthand for the entire food-production cycle. A blessed basket signifies fields that yield and kitchens that supply daily bread; a cursed basket points to empty granaries, drought, or invasion. The image embeds a theological lesson: covenant obedience safeguards provision, while rebellion imperils it. Historical Background Excavations in the Levant reveal palm-leaf and rush baskets from the late Bronze and early Iron Ages, matching the period of Israel’s settlement. Such baskets were typically cylindrical, equipped with a looped handle, and capable of holding several liters of grain. By specifying a commonplace container rather than a costly vessel, Deuteronomy underscores the participation of every household—rich or poor—in presenting firstfruits. Ministry and Devotional Applications • Gratitude: The filled basket calls believers to acknowledge every increase—salary, harvest, or spiritual gift—as a trust from God (James 1:17). Echoes in Later Scripture Although טֶנֶא itself does not appear beyond Deuteronomy, its themes re-emerge when Jesus feeds the multitudes and “the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of broken pieces” (Matthew 14:20). In the miracle, the Messiah not only supplies bread but surpasses the Deuteronomic blessings, offering abundance that overflows. Paul’s teaching on generosity—“whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6)—continues the covenant principle embodied by the basket. Theological Summary The טֶנֶא weaves together worship, work, gratitude, and covenant faithfulness. Filled with firstfruits, it proclaims that “the earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). Blessed or cursed, full or empty, the basket in Deuteronomy confronts every generation with the choice between obedient dependence and rebellious scarcity, ultimately pointing to the One who fills all with His grace. Forms and Transliterations בַטֶּ֑נֶא בטנא הַטֶּ֖נֶא הטנא טַנְאֲךָ֖ טנאך ḇaṭ·ṭe·ne ḇaṭṭene haṭ·ṭe·ne hatTene haṭṭene ṭan’ăḵā ṭan·’ă·ḵā tanaCha vatTeneLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 26:2 HEB: לָ֖ךְ וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ בַטֶּ֑נֶא וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֙ אֶל־ NAS: you, and you shall put [it] in a basket and go KJV: thee, and shalt put [it] in a basket, and shalt go INT: gives shall put A basket and go to Deuteronomy 26:4 Deuteronomy 28:5 Deuteronomy 28:17 4 Occurrences |
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