בָּצָל (be.tsel)
be.tsel
onion
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun batsal refers simply to the onion, a common vegetable in the ancient Near East. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Numbers 11:5, where the Israelites reminisce about the food they ate in Egypt.
This single occurrence highlights the word’s role as a symbol of familiar comfort rather than culinary sophistication. The people list it alongside garlic and other produce to express their longing for the stability of their past life, contrasting it with the manna provided in the wilderness.
While onions were a staple crop in Egypt and likely inexpensive, their mention here carries emotional weight. They represent the tangible, everyday sustenance that the Israelites missed during their difficult journey through the desert.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word batsal appears only once in Scripture, nestled in a moment of deep dissatisfaction among the Israelites. In Numbers 11:5, they list onions alongside fish and melons as reminders of Egypt. This was not a gourmet meal; it was simple, affordable sustenance that provided reliable nutrition. The people used these ordinary vegetables to express a longing for the stability they knew, even while living under oppression.
For your faith life, this offers a gentle reminder about how we view our current struggles. When seasons feel barren or difficult, it is natural to romanticize the past. We may focus on the familiar comforts we left behind, forgetting the cost of those things. Recognizing this tendency helps us see that our discontent often stems from fear rather than genuine need.
God’s provision in the wilderness was different, yet sufficient for their journey. While the manna required daily trust, the onions of Egypt represented a settled, predictable life. This contrast invites us to examine what we truly value. Are we seeking comfort at the expense of growth? Or can we find peace in God’s present care, even when it feels unfamiliar?
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ onions1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/בְּצָלִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 11:5
We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic;
This is the only occurrence of the word, where it serves as a concrete symbol of the familiar comforts the Israelites missed during their wilderness journey.