גֹּל
𐤂𐤋
gôl
H1531
SILEX Entry
Definition
A vessel or cup, particularly one used to hold oil; refers to a small, round bowl or receptacle. The primary sense is a cup or bowl-shaped container, often associated with ritual or practical use, specifically as an oil-holder.
Semantic Range
cup, bowl, vessel for oil, small round bowl (especially in ritual/tabernacle context); ritual oil-holder
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root גָּלַל (galal), meaning 'to roll, to be round.' The noun גֹּל (gôl) develops from the root's sense of roundness, referring to a round or bowl-shaped vessel.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word גֹּל occurs very rarely in the Hebrew scriptures. In Exodus 25:29 and 37:16, it refers to utensils associated with the tabernacle's table, where it is commonly understood as 'cups' or 'bowls' for pouring offerings, likely for oil or drink offerings. Its usage is specific and highly contextual, almost always in cultic or ritual settings. The term is sometimes translated as 'cup,' 'bowl,' or, less often, 'vessel.' Early translations vary, and the KJV and later English Bibles do not consistently distinguish between גֹּל and related terms like קְעָרָה (ke'arah, 'large bowl') or כּוֹס (kos, 'cup'), possibly converting all to 'bowls' or 'dishes.' The term does not indicate an everyday drinking cup but a specialized, usually round oil vessel. Over time, the practical and ritual distinction between the various vessels became less clear to translators and readers.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from גָּלַל; a cup for oil (as round); bowl.
Bantu Hebrew
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0 distinct forms
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Occurrences in Scripture
0 total occurrences
No occurrences found.