Lexical Summary tsali: Roasted Original Word: צָלִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance roast Passive participle of tsalah; roasted -- roast. see HEBREW tsalah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsalah Definition roasted, a roast NASB Translation roast (1), roasted (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs צָלִי adjective et noun masculine roasted, roast; — construct (as adjective) צְלִיאֵֿשׁ (P) of flesh (בָּשָׂר) Exodus 12:8,9 (opposed to מְבֻשָׁל בַּסָּ֑יִם); absolute as substantive cognate Isaiah 44:16 see [ צָלָה]. Topical Lexicon Definition and Essence צָלִי (tsālî) denotes flesh prepared “roasted over the fire.” The word evokes immediacy, heat, and complete exposure to flame, rather than slow simmering or boiling. It appears in contexts that contrast true worship with empty ritual or idolatry. Occurrences and Narrative Setting • Exodus 12:8–9 – Regulations for the first Passover meal in Egypt. These scant references frame צָלִי within two diametrically opposed scenes: covenant deliverance and spiritual folly. Passover Institution At the inaugural Passover, roasting was not incidental; it was commanded. “They are to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire” (Exodus 12:8). The haste of redemption—loins girded, sandals on, staff in hand—matched a preparation method requiring no additional liquid, vessel, or lengthy wait. Fire also spoke of judgment: the lamb endured flames so that Israelite firstborn sons might remain untouched. The prohibition “Do not eat any of the meat raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over the fire” (Exodus 12:9) safeguarded the symbol; every household saw the whole sacrifice subjected to consuming flame, a vivid portrayal of substitutionary atonement. Symbolic and Theological Dimensions 1. Total Consecration – Unlike boiling, which diffuses juices into water, roasting keeps all within the victim, picturing wholehearted devotion offered to God. Prophetic Contrast in Isaiah Isaiah paints a tragic satire: half the tree becomes fuel to roast meat; the other half becomes a god. “He roasts it and eats it and is satisfied… and says, ‘Ah! I am warm’” (Isaiah 44:16). The same term that served covenant worship in Exodus here exposes idolatry’s futility. The roasted meal satisfies the belly, yet the fashioner’s soul bows to a powerless image. The reader is invited to choose between the living Redeemer who ordained roasting for deliverance and a lifeless block of wood warmed by the same fire. Christological Fulfillment Paul declares, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Crucifixion, like roasting, placed the Lamb in open view, lifted up under the fire of judgment. No bone of the Passover lamb was to be broken (Exodus 12:46), just as Jesus’ bones remained intact (John 19:36). The once-for-all offering endures the full heat of divine justice, and believers feed by faith on His finished work. Practical and Ministry Applications • Worship that Costs – The Passover model discourages convenience spirituality. Genuine worship welcomes the searching flame of holiness. Related Concepts and Further Study Burnt Offering (Leviticus 1), Fire as Divine Presence (Exodus 3:2; Acts 2:3), Substitutionary Atonement (Isaiah 53), Table Fellowship (Luke 24:30), Holiness and Purity Laws (Leviticus 11–17). Forms and Transliterations צְלִי־ צָלִ֖י צלי צלי־ ṣā·lî ṣālî ṣə·lî- ṣəlî- tzaLi tzeliLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 12:8 HEB: בַּלַּ֣יְלָה הַזֶּ֑ה צְלִי־ אֵ֣שׁ וּמַצּ֔וֹת NAS: that [same] night, roasted with fire, KJV: in that night, roast with fire, INT: that night he roasted fire unleavened Exodus 12:9 Isaiah 44:16 3 Occurrences |
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