← H1529 H1531 →

גַּל

𐤂𐤋

gal

H1530 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גלל to roll, to pile, to heap

Definition

A mass that has been rolled or gathered together, commonly referring to a heap of stones or a mound created through rolling, piling, or accumulation; by extension, a pile of refuse (such as dung), and figuratively, a surging mass of water (waves) or a bubbling spring. The word can denote both solid (heap or pile) and liquid (wave, spring) accumulations, dependent on context.

Semantic Range

heap of stones, mound, pile (of stones or refuse), heap (of dung), wave, billow, spring (of water), surging mass

Root / Etymology

From the root גלל (galal), meaning 'to roll.' גַּל is a noun formed from this root, emphasizing the outcome or result of the rolling action — something rolled together, accumulated, or gathered into a mass.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used primarily for (1) a heap of stones, frequently as a marker, memorial, or boundary in the narrative texts (e.g. Genesis 31:46–48), and (2) a mass or crest of water, metaphorically describing a wave in poetic or prophetic texts (e.g. Psalms 42:8). In some contexts, also refers to a spring or bubbling source of water (e.g. Song of Songs 7:3), utilizing the core idea of water surging or rolling forth. Rarely, in non-poetic texts, can be used for a heap of refuse or dung (e.g. Nehemiah 3:13). Later translation traditions sometimes covered different senses with different words (e.g., 'wave' or 'billow' vs. 'heap'), potentially obscuring the unity of the underlying concept. The word does not inherently imply size or permanence; context determines whether it is a significant monument, a passing wave, or an ephemeral pile. While 'Jew' may appear in English translations of related words in post-biblical usage or later periods, גַּל itself has no ethnic or religious connotations and is not a term for a person or group.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from גָּלַל; something rolled, i.e. a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves); billow, heap, spring, wave.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

גלל (g-l-l) — to roll, to pile, to heap

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1534 גַּלְגַּל in the rolling-wheel
H1535 גַּלְגַּל his wheels
H1536 גִּלְגָּל Rolling-Circle
H1537 גִּלְגָּל in Gilgal
H1538 גֻּלְגֹּלֶת his skull

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1530-06 הַ/גָּֽל hagal HTd/Ncmsa the heap the rolled heap 6
H1530-01 גָ֑ל gal HNcmsa a heap rolled heap 6
H1530-02 גַּלָּ֑י/ו galayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms its waves his rolled masses 6
H1530-11 לְ/גַלִּ֖ים legalim HR/Ncmpa for heaps to rolled-masses 3
H1530-05 גַּלִּ֥ים galim HNcmpa heaps rolled-up masses 3
H1530-03 גַלֵּי/הֶם֙ galeyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their waves their heaped masses 3
H1530-12 וְ/גַלֶּ֖י/ךָ vegaleykha HC/Ncmpc/Sp2ms and your waves and your heaped masses 2
H1530-04 גַּלֶּֽי/ךָ galeykha HNcmpc/Sp2ms of your waves your heaped masses 1
H1530-09 לַ/גָּ֔ל lagal HRd/Ncmsa a heap to a rolled mass 1
H1530-08 כְּ/גַלִּ֔ים kegalim HR/Ncmpa like stone heaps like piled masses 1

Occurrences in Scripture

34 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1530-01 Genesis 31:46 גָ֑ל gal HNcmsa a heap rolled heap
H1530-06 Genesis 31:46 הַ/גָּֽל hagal HTd/Ncmsa the heap the rolled heap
H1530-06 Genesis 31:48 הַ/גַּ֨ל hagal HTd/Ncmsa the heap the rolled heap
H1530-06 Genesis 31:51 הַ/גַּ֣ל hagal HTd/Ncmsa the heap the rolled heap
H1530-06 Genesis 31:52 הַ/גַּ֣ל hagal HTd/Ncmsa the heap the rolled heap
H1530-06 Genesis 31:52 הַ/גַּ֣ל hagal-2 HTd/Ncmsa the heap the rolled heap
H1530-06 Genesis 31:52 הַ/גַּ֥ל hagal-3 HTd/Ncmsa the heap the rolled heap
H1530-01 Joshua 7:26 גַּל gal HNcmsc a heap rolled heap
H1530-01 Joshua 8:29 גַּל gal HNcmsc heap rolled heap
H1530-01 2 Samuel 18:17 גַּל gal HNcmsc a heap rolled heap
← H1529 Hebrew Lexicon H1531 →