In biblical times, hand-baskets were common tools used for carrying various items, including food, goods, and other necessities. The term "hand-basket" itself does not frequently appear in most English translations of the Bible, but the concept is present in several passages where baskets are mentioned.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, baskets were often used for practical purposes. For example, in the account of Moses, his mother placed him in a basket made of papyrus reeds and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:3). While this was not a hand-basket in the traditional sense, it illustrates the use of baskets for carrying and protecting valuable contents.

Baskets were also used in the context of offerings and sacrifices. In Deuteronomy 26:2, the Israelites are instructed to take some of the firstfruits of the land and put them in a basket to present before the Lord: "You are to take some of the firstfruits of all the produce of the soil from the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for His Name."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, baskets are mentioned in the context of the miracles of Jesus. One of the most notable instances is the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd. After everyone had eaten, the disciples collected the leftovers in baskets. 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 four thousand, seven baskets of leftovers were collected (Matthew 15:37). These baskets, referred to in Greek as "spyris," were larger than typical hand-baskets and were used to gather the remaining food.

Symbolic Use

Baskets in the Bible can also carry symbolic meaning. They often represent provision and abundance, as seen in the miracles of Jesus. The collection of leftovers in baskets signifies God's ability to provide more than enough for His people, emphasizing themes of divine provision and care.

In Acts 9:25, a basket is used in a different context when Paul is lowered in a basket through an opening in the wall to escape from Damascus: "But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall." Here, the basket serves as a means of deliverance and protection, highlighting God's providence in safeguarding His servants.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In ancient Near Eastern culture, baskets were typically made from materials such as reeds, rushes, or palm leaves. They were woven by hand and varied in size and shape depending on their intended use. Hand-baskets were portable and convenient for daily tasks, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of the people.

The use of baskets in biblical narratives underscores the everyday life of the people and their reliance on simple, practical tools. It also illustrates the broader biblical themes of provision, protection, and the miraculous works of God through ordinary means.Hand-baskets (7 Occurrences)

Matthew 14:20
And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was over and above of fragments twelve hand-baskets full.
(DBY YLT)

Matthew 16:9
Do ye not yet understand nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many hand-baskets ye took up?
(DBY YLT)

Mark 6:43
And they took up of fragments the fillings of twelve hand-baskets, and of the fishes.
(DBY YLT)

Mark 8:19
When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many hand-baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say to him, Twelve.
(DBY YLT)

Mark 8:20
And when the seven to the four thousand, how many hand-baskets full of broken pieces took ye up?' and they said, 'Seven.'
(YLT)

Luke 9:17
And they all ate and were filled; and there was taken up of what had remained over and above to them in fragments twelve hand-baskets.
(DBY)

John 6:13
They gathered them therefore together, and filled twelve hand-baskets full of fragments of the five barley loaves, which were over and above to those that had eaten.
(DBY YLT)

Hand-baskets (7 Occurrences)
Hand-baskets. Handbags, Hand-baskets. Handbreadth . Multi-Version
Concordance Hand-baskets (7 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/h/hand-baskets.htm - 8k

Basketfuls (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:20 and they did all eat, and were filled, and they took up what was
over of the broken pieces twelve hand-baskets full; (See NIV). ...
/b/basketfuls.htm - 8k

Fillings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fillings (1 Occurrence). Mark 6:43 And they took up of
fragments the fillings of twelve hand-baskets, and of the fishes. (DBY). ...
/f/fillings.htm - 6k

Handbreadth (9 Occurrences)

/h/handbreadth.htm - 10k

Handbags (1 Occurrence)

/h/handbags.htm - 6k

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