← H1432 H1434 →

גֹּדֶל

𐤂𐤃𐤋

gôdel

H1433 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

State or quality of being great—refers to size, magnitude, or prominence; denotes physical greatness (size, stature), figurative greatness (importance, significance), or superiority in rank or power. Can describe great deeds, extensive possessions, or the moral, intellectual, or spiritual eminence of a person, nation, or deity.

Semantic Range

greatness, magnitude, size, prominence, superiority, pre-eminence, importance, abundance, excellence, majesty, high rank, might

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root גָּדַל (g-d-l), which means 'to be/become great, grow, increase.' גֹּדֶל is a noun formation emphasizing the abstract quality or state that arises from the act of growing or becoming great. The root conveys growth or increase in physical, social, or figurative senses.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, גֹּדֶל is often used to emphasize extraordinary size (Deut 3:24, 'what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the mighty works and acts like yours?'), social or political prominence (Ezek 31:2, describing the greatness of Assyria as a cedar tree), and the transcendent greatness of Yhwh or other deities/figures (Ps 79:11, 145:3). While later English translations sometimes render it as 'greatness' or 'majesty,' its semantic scope includes concrete (physical size, quantity) and abstract (importance, pre-eminence, might) domains. In some cases, 'superiority,' 'excellence,' or 'abundance' might more accurately capture the nuance. The concept of greatness can refer to individuals, groups, nations, or abstract qualities. Related terms: גָּדוֹל gadol ('great, large' adj.) and גָּדַל gadal ('to grow, become great' v.). The shift from concrete to abstract usage is already evident in biblical texts; post-biblical Hebrew further abstracts the term for ethical and spiritual greatness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from גָּדַל; magnitude (literally or figuratively); greatness, stout(-ness).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

ג-ד-ל (gôdel) — to grow, become great, increase

Root ג-ד-ל to grow, become great, increase

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1433-04 גָּדְל֔/וֹ gadelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms greatness-his his greatness his greatness 2
H1433-05 גֹ֖דֶל godel HNcmsa greatness greatness greatness 2
H1433-07 כְּ/גֹ֣דֶל kegodel HR/Ncmsc according to the greatness according to greatness of according to the greatness of 2
H1433-08 וּ/בְ/גֹ֖דֶל uvegodel HC/R/Ncmsa and in arrogance and in greatness of and in arrogance of 2
H1433-01 בְּ/גָדְלֶ֑/ךָ begadelekha HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms through Your greatness in your greatness through your greatness 1
H1433-02 בְּ/גָדְל֔/וֹ begadelo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms in its greatness in his greatness in his greatness 1
H1433-03 גָּדְלְ/ךָ֔ gadelekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your greatness your greatness your greatness 1
H1433-06 גֻּדְלֽ/וֹ gudelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms His excellent greatness his greatness his greatness 1
H1433-09 בְ/גָדְלֶֽ/ךָ vegadelekha HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms in your greatness in your greatness in your greatness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1433-07 Numbers 14:19 כְּ/גֹ֣דֶל kegodel HR/Ncmsc according to the greatness according to greatness of according to the greatness of
H1433-03 Deuteronomy 3:24 גָּדְלְ/ךָ֔ gadelekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your greatness your greatness your greatness
H1433-04 Deuteronomy 5:24 גָּדְל֔/וֹ gadelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his greatness his greatness his greatness
H1433-01 Deuteronomy 9:26 בְּ/גָדְלֶ֑/ךָ begadelekha HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms through Your greatness in your greatness through your greatness
H1433-04 Deuteronomy 11:2 גָּדְל֕/וֹ gadelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms greatness-his his greatness his greatness
H1433-05 Deuteronomy 32:3 גֹ֖דֶל godel HNcmsa greatness greatness greatness
H1433-08 Isaiah 9:8 וּ/בְ/גֹ֥דֶל uvegodel HC/R/Ncmsc and in arrogance and in greatness of and in arrogance of
H1433-05 Isaiah 10:12 גֹ֨דֶל֙ godel HNcmsc of greatness greatness of greatness
H1433-09 Ezekiel 31:2 בְ/גָדְלֶֽ/ךָ vegadelekha HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms in your greatness in your greatness in your greatness
H1433-02 Ezekiel 31:7 בְּ/גָדְל֔/וֹ begadelo HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms in its greatness in his greatness in his greatness
H1433-08 Ezekiel 31:18 וּ/בְ/גֹ֖דֶל uvegodel HC/R/Ncmsa and in greatness and in greatness of and in greatness
H1433-07 Psalms 79:11 כְּ/גֹ֥דֶל kegodel HR/Ncmsc according to the greatness according to greatness of according to the greatness of
H1433-06 Psalms 150:2 גֻּדְלֽ/וֹ gudelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms His excellent greatness his greatness his greatness
← H1432 Hebrew Lexicon H1434 →