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גְּדִל

𐤂𐤃𐤋

gᵉdil

H1434 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גדל to grow, make large, twist together, plait

Definition

A braided cord or tassel, especially as an ornament or marker attached to garments or objects. In biblical contexts, refers to a decorative fringe or twisted cord made from threads, often attached to the corners of garments. The semantic range includes ornamental cords, ceremonial tassels, and possibly plaited decorations or wreaths.

Semantic Range

braided cord, tassel, twisted fringe, festoon, ornamental cord, plaited decoration, wreath

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root גדל (g-d-l), which means 'to become great, to grow, to be strong.' The formation גְּדִל (gᵉdil) refers to something that is 'grown out' or produced by twisting, specifically braided or twisted cords or tassels. The connection is to the concept of something made prominent or noticeable by being plaited or intertwined.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israelite material culture and law, גְּדִל (gᵉdil) refers most specifically to the tassels or twisted cords prescribed in Deuteronomy 22:12 to be attached to the four corners of one’s outer garment. These are distinct from צִיצִת (tsitsit) of Numbers 15:38; although related in function (ritual fringes), the two terms may reflect either variant styles or separate traditions. The גְּדִל does not carry the overt ritual specificity of צִיצִת in the priestly tradition, but serves as a marker of distinction or identity (whether social, cultic, or both). Over time, traditional interpretation has sometimes blurred the distinction between the terms, but modern lexicography prefers to differentiate them based on their biblical usage. English translations such as 'fringe,' 'tassel,' or 'wreath' often do not fully convey the braided or twisted aspect inherent in the Hebrew. In the post-biblical period, the concept continues in ritual attire but with varying terminology and practice.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from גָּדַל (in the sense of twisting); thread, i.e. a tassel or festoon; fringe, wreath.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גדל (g-d-l) — grow, become great, twist together, plait

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1419 גָּדוֹל in the great one
H1420 גְּדוּלָה greatness of
H1431 גָּדַל I will make great
H1432 גָּדֵל great-ones of
H1433 גֹּדֶל in your greatness

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1434-01 גְּדִלִ֖ים gedilim HNcmpa tassels braided tassels 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1434-01 Deuteronomy 22:12 גְּדִלִ֖ים gedilim HNcmpa tassels braided tassels
H1434-01 1 Kings 7:17 גְּדִלִים֙ gedilim HNcmpa wreaths braided tassels
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