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גָּדֵל

𐤂𐤃𐤋

gâdêl

H1432 verb

SILEX Entry

Root גדל to grow, become great, increase, be important

Definition

Adjective describing something that is great or large in size, extent, or importance, whether physically or metaphorically. It may refer to a person of stature, an object of notable size, or circumstances of significance. The term can also describe one who is grown, mature, or highly esteemed.

Semantic Range

large in size or extent, great in importance or significance, grown or mature, distinguished or eminent, substantial in quantity

Root / Etymology

Formed from the root גָּדַל (g-d-l), which means 'to be(come) great, to grow, to become important.' The adjective גָּדֵל adapts the core verbal meaning to describe the quality or state of being large, great, or significant.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In its biblical context, גָּדֵל is relatively rare and occurs in poetic or descriptive passages (e.g., Job 1:3), emphasizing extraordinary size, wealth, or status. It can describe not only physical objects or people but also abstract qualities (e.g., wisdom, virtue) or possessions (great herds or wealth). The related form גָּדוֹל (gādōl) is far more common and often serves as the regular adjective for 'great' or 'large,' whereas גָּדֵל appears as a poetic or marked variant. Standard English translations generally render both with 'great' or 'large,' but may not distinguish the poetic or intensified nuance in גָּדֵל. The root also gives rise to several commonly used nouns and verbs pertaining to growth, greatness, and maturity, and the distinction between the adjectival forms may be marked by context or grammatical role rather than strict difference in meaning. There is no evidence of shift in meaning across biblical periods, but the more frequent use of גָּדוֹל in later texts may reflect evolving preferences for regularized forms.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from גָּדַל; large (literally or figuratively); great, grew.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גדל (g-d-l) — grow, become great, increase, be important

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1419 גָּדוֹל in the great one
H1420 גְּדוּלָה greatness of
H1431 גָּדַל I will make great
H1433 גֹּדֶל in your greatness
H1434 גְּדִל braided tassels

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1432-02 וְ/גָדֵ֔ל vegadel HC/Vqrmsa and becoming great and growing great 3
H1432-01 גִּדְלֵ֣י gideley HVqrmpc great of great-ones of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1432-02 Genesis 26:13 וְ/גָדֵ֔ל vegadel HC/Vqrmsa and becoming great and growing great
H1432-02 1 Samuel 2:26 וְ/גָדֵ֖ל vegadel HC/Vqrmsa and growing and growing great
H1432-01 Ezekiel 16:26 גִּדְלֵ֣י gideley HVqrmpc great of great-ones of
H1432-02 2 Chronicles 17:12 וְ/גָדֵ֖ל vegadel HC/Vqrmsa and grew and growing great
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