גָּדַף
𐤂𐤃𐤐
gâdaph
H1442 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To insult, abuse, or speak with contempt against a person (especially a deity); to use abusive or insolent language, often in a way that disrespects or defames. In the context of actions toward the Israelite deity, commonly refers to blaspheming or openly speaking against the divine name, often with consequences considered severe in biblical law. The term may also denote scorn, derision, or overt defiance.
Semantic Range
to insult, to abuse verbally, to revile, to blaspheme (particularly against the divine), to reproach, to deride, to speak in open contempt or defiance
Root / Etymology
From the root גדף, reflecting the core sense of insult or derision. The actual lexical meaning refers specifically to verbal abuse or contemptuous speech, not merely general opposition or disagreement.
Historical & Contextual Notes
גָּדַף appears primarily in contexts where speech is directed against the Israelite deity or sacred matters, notably in legal texts (e.g., Leviticus 24:11, 24:16) prescribing punishment for blasphemy. Although sometimes rendered in later translations as 'blaspheme' or 'curse,' the focus is on speech of direct insult or violent disrespect rather than technical heresy. In non-divine contexts, the sense can broaden to verbal attacks or disparagement more generally (e.g., reproachful speech toward people or things regarded as sacred). Other Hebrew terms such as קלל (to curse) or חרף (to taunt or reproach) can overlap in meaning, but גָּדַף emphasizes the abusive and openly defiant character of the speech. In Second Temple and later periods, the term increasingly acquires the technical sense of 'blasphemy,' paralleling the narrowing of legal understanding around forbidden speech. English translations as 'blaspheme' can be overly narrow for pre-exilic texts, and the semantic field is broader, encompassing contempt, insult, and vilification.
Translation Consistency
Most occurrences in the Hebrew context involve speaking contemptuously against the divine name (legal and narrative uses), and the majority of existing renderings use “blasphemed.” “Blaspheme” captures the primary, biblically typical sense (abusive/verbal attack specifically directed at deity) while remaining a single natural English verb to be inflected consistently.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to hack (with words), i.e. revile; blaspheme, reproach.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גדף (g-d-p) — insult, abuse verbally, revile, speak contemptuously
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1442-01 |
גִּדְּפ֛וּ | gidefu | HVpp3cp |
have blasphemed | they have abusively reviled | they have blasphemed | 3 |
H1442-04 |
וְ/גִדַּ֔פְתָּ | vegidafeta | HC/Vpp2ms |
and blasphemed | you reviled | and you blasphemed | 2 |
H1442-03 |
וּ/מְגַדֵּ֑ף | umegadef | HC/Vprmsa |
and the one who reviles | and the reviling one | and the one who reviles | 1 |
H1442-02 |
מְגַדֵּ֑ף | megadef | HVprmsa |
blasphemes | one who reviles | blasphemer | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1442-02 |
Numbers 15:30 | מְגַדֵּ֑ף | megadef | HVprmsa |
blasphemes | one who reviles | blasphemer |
H1442-01 |
2 Kings 19:6 | גִּדְּפ֛וּ | gidefu | HVpp3cp |
have blasphemed | they have abusively reviled | they have blasphemed |
H1442-04 |
2 Kings 19:22 | וְ/גִדַּ֔פְתָּ | vegidafeta | HC/Vpp2ms |
and blasphemed | you reviled | and you blasphemed |
H1442-01 |
Isaiah 37:6 | גִּדְּפ֛וּ | gidefu | HVpp3cp |
have blasphemed | they have abusively reviled | they have blasphemed |
H1442-04 |
Isaiah 37:23 | וְ/גִדַּ֔פְתָּ | vegidafeta | HC/Vpp2ms |
and blasphemed | you reviled | and you blasphemed |
H1442-01 |
Ezekiel 20:27 | גִּדְּפ֤וּ | gidefu | HVpp3cp |
they blasphemed | they have abusively reviled | they have blasphemed |
H1442-03 |
Psalms 44:17 | וּ/מְגַדֵּ֑ף | umegadef | HC/Vprmsa |
and the one who reviles | and the reviling one | and the one who reviles |