2023 What Was Moses’ Basket Made Of: Expert Tell You

The Historical Significance of Moses in Cradle

Moses’ basket served both a practical and symbolic purpose in keeping him safe as an infant and preserving his Israelite identity. Moses’ basket allowed his biological family to hide him from Pharaoh’s slaughter of the Israelite baby boys, thus saving his life. Being in the basket also symbolized deliverance from danger and oppression, foreshadowing Moses’ role as liberator of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. As the Book of Exodus narrates, Moses’ sister arranged the papyrus basket to protect her brother and put it among the bulrushes by the riverbank where Pharaoh’s daughter discovered him.
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moses in cradle, basket, assorted-color pine cones on white wooden surface — *Photo by* *Mel Poole* / *Unsplash*

Exploring the Materials Used in Ancient Baby Baskets

The Bible does not specify the exact materials used to make Moses’ basket, but scholars agree that papyrus reeds likely formed the basket’s woven structure due to their widespread availability in Ancient Egypt. Papyrus plants grew abundantly along the Nile River where baby Moses was set adrift. Other potential materials include:

Rushes: Another plentiful river plant, similar to cattails. Rushes were commonly used to Make mats, baskets and sandals due to their flexibility and toughness.
Palm leaves: The stiff leaves of date palms, already shaped into waterproof baskets, could have been repurposed for Moses’ basket.
Reeds: Hollow stems like bamboo reeds were easily woven into water tight containers. Reed baskets have been found in Egyptian tombs dating to Moses’ time period.

The ancient Egyptians were skilled basket weavers, using multiple materials in creative patterns. They wove these practical containers for carrying, storing and transporting various items. Moses’ sister would likely have relied on everyday materials for her simple baby basket, aiming to waterproof its construction and include features like handles for easy carrying.

moses in cradle, baby cradle, a man sitting on a bed holding a baby — *Photo by* *Kelly Sikkema* / *Unsplash*

The Symbolism Behind Moses’ Basket Construction

Beyond its practical purpose of keeping Moses safe, his basket cradle also represented critical symbolism in the biblical narrative.The basket itself symbolizes deliverance from danger, foreshadowing the deliverance Moses would later provide for the Israelites:

Baby Moses was literally delivered from death by being placedin the basket and set afloat on the Nile River, mirroring the future exodus where Moses would liberate God’s people from slavery in Egypt.
The fact that Pharoah’s daughter discovered Moses in the basket underscores that God orchestrated his rescue. Though Pharoah had ordered the death of all Israelite baby boys, Moses was protected by divine providence.
Moses’ basket foreshadows the eventualparting of the Red Sea, with infant Moses being set afloat to safety on the Nile just as the Israelites would later “walk through the sea on dry ground.”

The materials used to construct Moses’ basket – woven papyrus reeds – also carry symbolic meaning:

Papyrus plants are associated with growth and prosperity in Egyptian mythology, reflecting God’s plan for Moses’ future life and mission.
Papyrus reed baskets were commonly used for ceremonial purposes by the ancient Egyptians, aligning with Moses’ destined role as spiritual leader of Israel.

In summary, Moses’ humble floating basket serves as an early symbolof not just physical preservation but spiritual deliverance for God’s chosen people.

moses in cradle, papyrus, a wooden object with a star of david on it — *Photo by* *Marek Studzinski* / *Unsplash*

Uncovering the Secrets: How Was Moses’ Basket Crafted?

Though the Bible says little about the design of Moses’ basket, clues from Egyptian art and artifacts indicate the likely features:

Woven waterproof reeds: Most scholars agree that the basket was formed from woven reeds and rushes, tightly plaited to be watertight. Papyrus reeds in particular were commonly used for basket weaving.
Handles: Egyptian depictions of baby baskets typically show handles or straps for carrying, likely so Moses’ sister could submerge the basket in the Nile and easily pull it out after placing it among the bulrushes.
Cover: Some scholars theorize Moses’ basket may have included a lid or cover to protect the infant during transportation and while hidden among the reeds, though the Bible does not mention this.
Size: Most woven infant baskets of the time were just large enough to hold a baby, between 15 and 20 inches in length. This snug fit would have helped secure the infant for the perilous float down the Nile.

In summary, archeological findings and Egyptian art portray typical baby baskets of Moses’ era as simple woven vessels, shaped like a narrow oval tray and designed for durability, portability and water resistance. Though the Bible refers cryptically to Moses being placed “among the reeds,” clues from Egyptian culture suggest the plausibility of a carefully constructed waterproof basket cradling the infant who would, as an adult, lead God’s people through the sea.