Bible Dictionaries
Basket

Holman Bible Dictionary

Five kinds of baskets are mentioned in the Old Testament. The precise distinctions of size and shape are not clear. Some had handles, others lids, some both, others neither. The most common term always refers to a container for carrying food (Genesis 40:16-18 ). Another term is used to signify a cage or “bird net” (Amos 8:1-2 ). A third type basket is the common household utensil used in harvesting grain (Deuteronomy 26:2; Deuteronomy 28:5 ). A fourth term refers to a larger basket used for heavy burdens such as clay for bricks or even the heads of the seventy sons of Ahab delivered to Jehu (2 Kings 10:7 ). The final term was used to describe both the basket (ark) in which Moses was placed as an infant (Exodus 2:3 ,Exodus 2:3,2:5 ) and the ark which Noah built (Genesis 6:14-16 ). The New Testament uses two words for basket. The smaller basket is referred to in the story of the feeding of the 5000 (Matthew 14:20 ). The larger basket is mentioned in the feeding of the 4000 (Matthew 15:37 ). The apostle Paul also used the larger basket as a means of escape over the wall of Damascas (Acts 9:25 ). It might logically be considered a hamper. See Ark .

C. Dale Hill