σαργάνη
sargánē
G4553 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An item made of interwoven material, specifically a basket or container constructed from wicker, reeds, or similar flexible plant matter. In biblical usage, refers mainly to a type of basket used for holding or carrying various items, potentially including fish or bread. The term indicates the object’s construction and function as a portable container.
Semantic Range
basket made of wicker or reeds, woven container, basket for carrying fish or bread, container made by plaiting
Root / Etymology
Borrowed from Hebrew שָׂרַג (śārag), possibly via Aramaic, referring to weaving, interlacing, or a woven object. The Greek σαργάνη is thus a loanword representing a specific type of woven basket known from Near Eastern material culture. The etymological relationship is with terms signifying 'to plait, to weave.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Septuagint (LXX), σαργάνη occurs in contexts rendering Hebrew basket terminology, which had a range of specific types for various uses (e.g., for fish, bread, or as a vessel for other goods). The Greek term preserves the idea of an object made by weaving, and the specific referent depends on context. In the New Testament, σαργάνη is extremely rare and primarily functions in translation of Hebrew basket types, rather than as a general Greek term for basket (in contrast to κοφίνος, σπυρίς, κἀφάλης, etc.). Standard English translations usually render the word as 'basket,' but this may obscure the more specialized material and method of manufacture implied. The term is not attested widely in classical Greek, and its presence in biblical Greek is due to its Semitic origins.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently of Hebrew origin (שָׂרַג); a basket (as interwoven or wicker-work:--basket.
Root Family
σαργαν- (sargánē) — to weave, to interlace, to plait (materials)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4553-01 |
σαργάνῃ | sargane | N DAT F SG |
a basket | to a woven basket | a woven basket | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4553-01 |
2 Corinthians 11:33 | σαργάνῃ | sargane | N DAT F SG |
a basket | to a woven basket | a woven basket |