Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, roasting was a common method of preparing food, particularly meat. The process of roasting involved cooking food over an open flame or hot coals, which was a practical and accessible method for the people of ancient Israel. This method is mentioned in several instances throughout the Bible, highlighting its significance in both daily life and religious practices.
Passover Lamb: One of the most notable references to roasting in the Bible is found in the instructions for the Passover meal. In
Exodus 12:8-9, the Israelites are commanded to roast the Passover lamb: "They are to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of the meat raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over the fire—its head and legs and inner parts." This method of preparation was significant as it symbolized the haste with which the Israelites were to leave Egypt, and it became a lasting ordinance in the celebration of Passover.
Sacrificial Offerings: Roasting was also associated with certain sacrificial offerings. In
Leviticus 2:14, the grain offering of firstfruits is described: "If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD, you shall offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire." This indicates that roasting was not limited to meat but was also applied to grains, signifying dedication and thanksgiving to God.
Daily Life: Beyond religious contexts, roasting was a part of everyday life in ancient Israel. The simplicity and effectiveness of roasting made it a practical choice for preparing meals. In
1 Samuel 2:15, the custom of the priests taking a portion of the meat before it was boiled is mentioned, indicating that roasting was a preferred method for consuming meat: "But even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, 'Give the priest some meat to roast, because he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.'"
Symbolism and Metaphor: Roasting also appears metaphorically in the Bible. In
Proverbs 12:27, the diligence of a person is contrasted with laziness: "A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession." Here, roasting symbolizes the effort and care required to make use of one's resources, emphasizing the virtue of diligence.
In summary, roasting in the Bible is depicted as a significant culinary practice with both practical and symbolic implications. It played a crucial role in religious observances, such as the Passover, and was a common method of food preparation in daily life. The act of roasting, whether of meat or grain, often carried deeper spiritual meanings, reflecting themes of haste, dedication, and diligence.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To cook by exposure to radiant heat before a fire; as, to roast meat on a spit, or in an oven open toward the fire and having reflecting surfaces within; also, to cook in a close oven.
2. (v. t.) To cook by surrounding with hot embers, ashes, sand, etc.; as, to roast a potato in ashes.
3. (v. t.) To dry and parch by exposure to heat; as, to roast coffee; to roast chestnuts, or peanuts.
4. (v. t.) Hence, to heat to excess; to heat violently; to burn.
5. (v. t.) To dissipate by heat the volatile parts of, as ores.
6. (v. t.) To banter severely.
7. (v. i.) To cook meat, fish, etc., by heat, as before the fire or in an oven.
8. (v. i.) To undergo the process of being roasted.
9. (n.) That which is roasted; a piece of meat which has been roasted, or is suitable for being roasted.
10. (a.) Roasted; as, roast beef.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ROASTSeeFOOD.
Greek
5434. phruganon -- a dry stick... stick. Neuter of a presumed derivative of phrugo (to
roast or parch; akin to the
base of phlox); something desiccated, ie A dry twig -- stick. see GREEK phlox.
...Strong's Hebrew
6740. tsalah -- toroast (flesh)... 6739, 6740. tsalah. 6741 . to
roast (flesh). Transliteration: tsalah Phonetic
Spelling: (tsaw-law') Short Definition:
roast. Word Origin a prim.
...6748. tsali -- roasted, aroast
... 6747, 6748. tsali. 6749 . roasted, aroast. Transliteration: tsali Phonetic
Spelling: (tsaw-lee') Short Definition: roasted....roast....
7033. qalah -- toroast, parch
... qalah. 7034 . toroast, parch. Transliteration: qalah Phonetic Spelling:
(kaw-law') Short Definition: roasted. Word Origin a prim.... dried, loathsome, parch,...
2760. charak -- perhaps to scorch, parch
... 2759, 2760. charak. 2761 . perhaps to scorch, parch. Transliteration: charak
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-rak') Short Definition:roast. Word Origin a prim....roast...
1310. bashal -- to boil, seethe, grow ripe
... bake, boil, bring forth,roast, seethe, sod be sodden. A primitive root; properly,
to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively...
Library
Spiritual Meaning of the Passover.
... to death by transgressors of the law, and what application can be found in Christ
of the direction, [5035] "They shall eat the flesh this night,roast with fire...
The Little Match Girl
... In all the windows lights were shining, and there was a glorious smell ofroast
goose, for it was New Year's Eve. Yes, she thought of that!...
The Passover: an Expiation and a Feast, a Memorial and a Prophecy
... it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they
shall eat it.8. And they shall eat the flesh in that night,roast with fire...
This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch
... 3. Let us not therefore listen carelessly; since even they whoroast the metallic
earth, when they have thrown it into the furnace, not only take up the masses...
The Card Parties
... At the close of such gatherings, a chicken-roast was generally in order, and the
fowl used was usually taken from some hen-roost not far distant....
Knox and Queen Mary, 1561
... Mary passed that limit, Randolph and Lethington saw, and feebly deplored, the amenities
of the preacher whom men permitted to "rule theroast." "Ten thousand...
Ancestry, Birth, Education, Environment: 1513(?)-1546
... He himself, in 1562, when he "ruled theroast" in Scotland, told the ruffian Earl
of Bothwell, "my grandfather, my maternal grandfather, and my father, have...
The Lord's Supper
... upper lintels of every door. They were toroast the lamb and eat it, with
solemn religious services. And, while they were doing...
Voyage to India.
... letters and fresh supplies. To the surprise of us new-comers,roast beef
was on our dinner-table that day. We thought it strange...
Empedocles Increased the Absurdity of Pythagoras by Developing the...
... which accomplishment there was an end for ever to his metensomatosis or putting
himself into another body"(fit only now for) a light dish after theroast-meat...
Thesaurus
Roast (8 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To cook by exposure to radiant heat before a fire; as, to
roast meat on
a spit, or in an oven open toward the fire and having reflecting surfaces within
...Roasting (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofRoast. 2. (a. & n.) from
Roast. Multi-Version Concordance Roasting (2 Occurrences)....
Roasted (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofRoast. Multi-Version Concordance Roasted
(13 Occurrences). Luke 24:42 And they gave Him a piece of roasted fish, (WEY)....
Parched (37 Occurrences)
... corn or pulse. It is a common practice in Palestine and Syria toroast
the nearly ripe wheat for eating as a delicacy. A handful...
Purtenance (1 Occurrence)
... nans: With the significance of "belongings," this word occurs in the King James
Version of Exodus 12:9 as the translation of qerebh, "within" "inward," "roast...
Sodden (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, butroast with fire;
his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. (KJV JPS)....
Roars (9 Occurrences)
Lasting (40 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 23:14 And ye shall not eat bread, orroast corn, or green ears, until
the same day that ye have brought the offering of your God: it is an...
Game (11 Occurrences)
... game. (WEB NIV). Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man doesn'troast his game,
but the possessions of diligent men are prized. (WEB NIV)....
Warms (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 44:16 He burns part of it in the fire. With part of it, he eats meat. He
roasts aroast, and is satisfied. Yes, he warms himself, and says, "Aha!...
Resources
What does the Bible say about Christians hunting animals for sport? | GotQuestions.orgRoast: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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