In biblical times, hampers were not explicitly mentioned by name in the Scriptures, but the concept of containers or baskets used for carrying and storing goods is prevalent throughout the Bible. These containers played a significant role in the daily life and practices of the people in biblical narratives.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, baskets were commonly used for various purposes, including the gathering of food and offerings. For instance, in the account of Joseph, his brothers used a sack to carry grain from Egypt (Genesis 42:25). While the term "hamper" is not used, the function of these containers is similar to what we might consider a hamper today.

The Hebrew word "sal" (סַל) is often translated as "basket" and is seen in several passages. In Exodus 29:3, God instructs Moses regarding the consecration of priests: "Put them in a basket and present them along with the bull and the two rams." This indicates the use of baskets in religious ceremonies and offerings.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, baskets are mentioned in the context of miracles and teachings of Jesus. The feeding of the 5,000 is a notable example where baskets were used to collect leftovers. Matthew 14:20 states, "They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over." Similarly, in the feeding of the 4,000, seven baskets were used to gather the remaining fragments (Matthew 15:37).

The Greek word "kophinos" (κοφίνος) is used in these accounts, referring to a type of basket used by the Jews. These baskets were likely made of wicker or similar materials, designed to be portable and practical for carrying food and other items.

Symbolic Significance

Baskets and similar containers often carry symbolic meanings in the Bible. They can represent God's provision and abundance, as seen in the miraculous feedings where the leftovers filled multiple baskets. This abundance signifies God's ability to provide more than enough for His people, emphasizing themes of divine generosity and care.

In Jeremiah 24, the prophet uses the imagery of baskets of figs to convey a message from God. One basket contains good figs, representing the exiles who will be restored, while the other contains bad figs, symbolizing those who will face judgment. This illustrates how baskets can also serve as metaphors for spiritual truths and divine messages.

Cultural and Practical Aspects

In the ancient Near East, baskets were essential for daily life, used for harvesting, storing, and transporting goods. They were typically made from materials like reeds, rushes, or palm leaves, woven together to create sturdy and functional containers. The design and size of these baskets varied depending on their intended use, from small personal baskets to larger hampers for communal purposes.

While the Bible does not specifically mention "hampers" as we understand them today, the use of baskets and similar containers is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting both the practical needs and the spiritual lessons of the time.2139. euperistatos -- easily encircling
... all-around, describing what is encompassing (encircling), ie surrounding, "wholly
around"; (figuratively) a serious hindrance that "" (hampers) someone who ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2139.htm - 7k

Whether the Happiness of the Saints Will be Greater after the ...
... For man's body may be considered in two ways: first, as being dependent on the soul
for its completion; secondly, as containing something that hampers the soul ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the happiness of the.htm

Christ Thwarted
... words now because they put in its strongest shape a truth of large importance, and
of manifold applications"viz., that man's unbelief hampers and hinders ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christ thwarted.htm

Emancipated Slaves
... And even while not consciously felt, guilt hampers the soul's insight into divine
realities, clips its wings so that it cannot soar, paralyses its efforts ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/emancipated slaves.htm

How we Can Decide what is Useful and the Sorrow According to God ...
... and breaks down the man on whom it has fastened, and hinders him from energy and
wholesome sorrow, as it is unreasonable, and not only hampers the efficacy of ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi how we can.htm

Whether Infusion of Grace is Necessary for the Remission of Venial ...
... But venial sin is not contrary to habitual grace or charity, but hampers its act,
through man being too much attached to a created good, albeit not in ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether infusion of grace is.htm

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
... 10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets
[spurides, probably grain baskets or hampers] ye took up? ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxx third withdrawal from herods.htm

Smith -- Assurance in God
... Sometimes it is cruel and sometimes it is horribly unclean, but it always debases
the worshiper's mind, confuses his conscience, and hampers his freedom and ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/smith assurance in god.htm

The Naturalness of Prayer
... personality. This alone has eternal meaning, power, and value, since this alone
develops or hampers the eternal reality, the will of God. ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter ii the naturalness of.htm

The Joy of Unbroken Communion
... to and blessed by the LORD, were abundant supply for the needy multitudes, and grew,
in the act of distribution, into a store of which twelve hampers full of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/union and communion/section iii the joy of.htm

1 John ii. 18-27
... is the Christ. The difficulty that hampers us comes of our taking what
is said in the Epistle in too narrow a sense. At any rate ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily iii 1 john ii.htm

Hampers (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hampers (4 Occurrences). ... The broken portions that
remained over they took up--seven full hampers. (WEY). ...
/h/hampers.htm - 7k

Portions (49 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 15:37 And they all ate and were satisfied. The broken portions
that remained over they took up--seven full hampers. (WEY). ...
/p/portions.htm - 22k

Carried (327 Occurrences)
... Matthew 16:10 nor the 4,000 and the seven loaves, and how many hampers you carried
away? (WEY). Mark 2:3 Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. ...
/c/carried.htm - 35k

Meal (288 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). Mark 8:8 So the people ate an abundant meal; and what remained over they
picked up and carried away--seven hampers of broken pieces. (WEY). ...
/m/meal.htm - 36k

Picked (43 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Mark 8:8 So the people ate an abundant meal; and what remained over
they picked up and carried away--seven hampers of broken pieces. ...
/p/picked.htm - 18k

Abundant (124 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Mark 8:8 So the people ate an abundant meal; and what remained over they
picked up and carried away--seven hampers of broken pieces. (WEY). ...
/a/abundant.htm - 38k

Satisfied (110 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:37 And they all ate and were satisfied. The broken portions that remained
over they took up--seven full hampers. (WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/satisfied.htm - 35k

Hampered (2 Occurrences)

/h/hampered.htm - 7k

Hamran (1 Occurrence)

/h/hamran.htm - 6k

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