Lexical Summary salsillah: Wreath, garland Original Word: סַלְסִלָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance basket From calah; a twig (as pendulous) -- basket. see HEBREW calah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as sal Definition probably a branch NASB Translation branches (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סַלְסִלָּה] noun [feminine] basket according to ᵐ5 ᵑ9 AV RV; but probably shoot, branch Ew Hi Gf Gie and others; only plural absolute כְּבוֺצֵר (read probably יָד) הָשֵׁד יָָֽדְךָ עַלסַֿלְסִלּוֺת Jeremiah 6:9. סלע (√ of following; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Jeremiah 6:9 is the sole appearance of סַלְסִלָּה. The LORD of Hosts declares that His agents will “thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel like a vine; pass your hand over the branches again, like a grape-gatherer” (Berean Standard Bible). The word pictures either the pliant, intertwining vine-branches that hold the fruit or the small wicker baskets into which the gleaner places the clusters. Whether branch-work or basket, the term evokes the last careful sweep of the vineyard to ensure nothing is left behind. Historical Setting • Jeremiah prophesies in the final decades before Babylon’s conquest (late seventh–early sixth century B.C.). Symbolism in the Context of Jeremiah 1. Thoroughness of Divine Judgment – As a vintner returns to strip every lingering cluster, so the Babylonian armies will remove every survivor except the portion God Himself reserves (Jeremiah 24:1–10). – A vine’s tender offshoots or a small basket of grapes are easily crushed, illustrating how powerless Judah is without covenant faithfulness. – Gleaning presupposes fruit left after the main harvest. Even in judgment the Lord preserves a remnant (Jeremiah 23:3; Isaiah 10:20–22). Vineyard Motifs across Scripture • Israel as the LORD’s cultivated vine (Isaiah 5:1–7; Psalm 80:8–16). סַלְסִלָּה contributes to this larger canonical theme by highlighting meticulous inspection: every branch, basket, or tendril is subject to the vinedresser’s hand. Theological Insights 1. God’s Sovereign Thoroughness – Nothing escapes His notice (Psalm 139:1–12). The same diligence displayed in Jeremiah 6:9 affirms that divine justice is exact and comprehensive. – Even the minimal gleanings belong to the Lord. Scripture consistently shows that judgment and mercy operate together (Romans 11:5). – Believers are urged to bear fruit worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8). The imagery warns against complacency and prompts self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5). Practical and Ministry Applications • Pastoral Warning: Like Jeremiah, ministers must not soften the reality of judgment; God will sift His people until genuine faith remains. Messianic and Eschatological Outlook • The Babylonian gleaning foreshadows the final harvest when Christ returns. Summary סַלְסִלָּה, though appearing only once, vividly portrays the LORD’s painstaking inspection of His vineyard. It warns of thorough judgment, affirms the preservation of a remnant, and points forward to the consummate harvest in Christ. Ministers and believers alike are called to heed the lesson: remain fruitful, remain faithful, and trust the vinedresser’s wise and sovereign hand. Forms and Transliterations סַלְסִלּֽוֹת׃ סלסלות׃ sal·sil·lō·wṯ salsilLot salsillōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 6:9 HEB: כְּבוֹצֵ֖ר עַל־ סַלְסִלּֽוֹת׃ NAS: Over the branches. KJV: as a grapegatherer into the baskets. INT: gatherer Over the branches 1 Occurrence |
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cleave, split, 
cleft, fissure, Lane1406, hence סֶלַע split, jagged cliff, crag, often isolated (split off) rock (compare WetzstDe