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גִּלְגָּל

𐤂𐤋𐤂𐤋

Gilegal

H1537 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גלל to roll, to revolve, to turn

Definition

Gilgal (גִּלְגָּל) is the designation for several distinct locations in ancient Israelite geography, most prominently the site near the Jordan River associated with the Israelites' crossing into Canaan. Lexically, it refers primarily to a specific place and does not denote a generic geographic feature outside of named locations. In biblical narrative, Gilgal functions chiefly as a site of encampment, cultic activity, gathering, and treaty-making. The term can also be used generically for a 'circle of stones' in extrabiblical or later usage, but in the Hebrew Bible, it consistently refers to particular locations by name, not as a common noun.

Semantic Range

place name (Gilgal); site of encampment or assembly; potential reference to a ring or circle of stones; religious or cultic center; location of ceremonial activities; symbol of Israelite entry into land

Root / Etymology

From the root גָּלַל (g-l-l), 'to roll, to turn, to revolve.' Gilgal is formally derived as a noun pattern (with reduplication), possibly indicating 'circle' or 'rolling circle,' likely referring to a stone circle or some associated physical feature. The actual usage in the text is as a place name, and any connection to the idea of 'rolling' or 'circle' is secondary or etymological, not lexical within biblical narrative.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Gilgal appears most prominently in the early Yahwistic traditions—especially in the book of Joshua—as the first encampment and ceremonial site after the crossing of the Jordan. It is associated with major covenantal acts, such as setting up twelve stones and the rite of circumcision, and later with religious gatherings (Joshua 4-5; 1 Samuel 10-11). Another Gilgal near Bethel and one near Mount Ebal are also mentioned, though the locations are debated. Despite later English translations using the term as if it were descriptive ('circle'), in biblical usage these are specific place names, not generic terms. In prophetic literature, Gilgal is referenced as a center of cultic activity and as a site of apostasy in passages like Hosea 9:15 and Amos 4:4; 5:5, reflecting its religious significance in the monarchic and pre-exilic eras. It is important to distinguish these usages from later Jewish or Christian traditions that may interpret 'Gilgal' symbolically or liturgically. The use of 'Gilgal' in English to mean 'circle of stones' or similar simply reflects the presumed etymology; the biblical writers use it specifically as the designation of a place or places.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as גִּלְגָּל (with the article as a properly, noun); Gilgal, the name of three places in Palestine; Gilgal. See also בֵּית הַגִּלְגָּל.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גלל (g-l-l) — to roll, to revolve, to turn

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1530 גַּל rolled heap
H1534 גַּלְגַּל in the rolling-wheel
H1535 גַּלְגַּל his wheels
H1536 גִּלְגָּל Rolling-Circle
H1538 גֻּלְגֹּלֶת his skull

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1537-03 הַ/גִּלְגָּ֔ל hagilegal HTd/Np Gilgal the Gilgal 21
H1537-01 בַּ/גִּלְגָּ֔ל bagilegal HRd/Np in Gilgal in Gilgal 9
H1537-04 הַ/גִּלְגָּ֣לָ/ה hagilegalah HTd/Np/Sd to Gilgal to the Gilgal 6
H1537-07 וְ/הַ/גִּלְגָּ֖ל vehagilegal HC/Td/Np and Gilgal and the Gilgal 2
H1537-05 לְ/גִלְגָּ֖ל legilegal HR/Np of Gilgal to Gilgal 1
H1537-06 בַ/גִּלְגָּ֔ל vagilegal HRd/Np in Gilgal in Gilgal 1
H1537-02 גִּלְגָּ֔ל gilegal HNp Gilgal Gilgal 1

Occurrences in Scripture

41 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1537-03 Deuteronomy 11:30 הַ/גִּלְגָּ֔ל hagilegal HTd/Np Gilgal the Gilgal
H1537-01 Joshua 4:19 בַּ/גִּלְגָּ֔ל bagilegal HRd/Np at Gilgal in Gilgal
H1537-01 Joshua 4:20 בַּ/גִּלְגָּֽל bagilegal HRd/Np in Gilgal in Gilgal
H1537-02 Joshua 5:9 גִּלְגָּ֔ל gilegal HNp Gilgal Gilgal
H1537-01 Joshua 5:10 בַּ/גִּלְגָּ֑ל bagilegal HRd/Np at Gilgal in Gilgal
H1537-03 Joshua 9:6 הַ/גִּלְגָּ֑ל hagilegal HTd/Np at Gilgal the Gilgal
H1537-04 Joshua 10:6 הַ/גִּלְגָּ֣לָ/ה hagilegalah HTd/Np/Sd at Gilgal to the Gilgal
H1537-03 Joshua 10:7 הַ/גִּלְגָּ֗ל hagilegal HTd/Np Gilgal the Gilgal
H1537-03 Joshua 10:9 הַ/גִּלְגָּֽל hagilegal HTd/Np Gilgal the Gilgal
H1537-04 Joshua 10:15 הַ/גִּלְגָּֽלָ/ה hagilegalah HTd/Np/Sd Gilgal to the Gilgal
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