רֹגְלִים
𐤓𐤂𐤋𐤉𐤌
Rogelim
H7274 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Rogelim is a proper place name denoting a settlement located east of the Jordan River, likely in the territory of Gilead. The name derives from the participial plural form of the root רָגַל ('to walk, to spy, to go on foot'), often understood as 'those who go on foot' or, in a professional context, 'fullers'—one who treads cloth as part of the cleaning process. As a toponym, the name may refer to a location associated historically with foot travelers, a craftsperson's guild, or other meanings tied to movement or treading. In its only biblical occurrence (2 Samuel 17:27), it designates the hometown of Barzillai the Gileadite.
Semantic Range
place for travelers, settlement of fullers, home of Barzillai (proper name), associated with foot-travel or treading, Rogelim (toponym)
Root / Etymology
From רָגַל (ragal), a root meaning 'to walk on foot,' 'to travel,' or 'to spy'; the form רֹגְלִים (rogelim) is a masculine plural active participle, typically meaning 'those who walk on foot,' used in some contexts for 'fullers' (those who tread laundry). Here, the participial plural is used as a place name, possibly referencing an occupation or habit of inhabitants, or a topographical feature.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Rogelim is only attested as a place name in 2 Samuel 17:27, noted as the residence of Barzillai the Gileadite. The form is not used elsewhere for people or occupations in biblical narrative. While related terms from the same root refer to spies or fullers (those who work by treading cloth), the place name may be metaphorical, referencing a group, activity, or characteristic associated with the area (e.g., a site with many travelers or known for its fullers). Later translation traditions (including the KJV) transliterate the place name directly, occasionally connecting it with 'fullers' (cf. Isaiah 7:3's 'Fuller's Field'). The root רָגַל has a broader semantic field related to walking, spycraft, and trade, but in this instance, most modern lexica understand רֹגְלִים as an occupational toponym or one marking a functional characteristic of the settlement. There is no indication in biblical usage that Rogelim had specific religious or ethnic associations beyond being in the Transjordanian region during Israelite monarchic history.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of active participle of רָגַל; fullers (as tramping the cloth in washing); Rogelim, a place East of the Jordan; Rogelim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רגל (r-g-l) — to walk, to go on foot, to spy, to tread
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4772 | מַרְגְלָה | his foot-places |
| H7270 | רָגַל | the scouting ones |
| H7271 | רְגַל | with her foot |
| H7272 | רֶגֶל | by foot |
| H7273 | רַגְלִי | foot-soldier |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7274-01 |
מֵ/רֹגְלִֽים | merogelim | HR/Np |
from Rogelim | from the Walkers | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7274-01 |
2 Samuel 17:27 | מֵ/רֹגְלִֽים | merogelim | HR/Np |
from Rogelim | from the Walkers |
H7274-01 |
2 Samuel 19:32 | מֵ/רֹגְלִ֑ים | merogelim | HR/Np |
from Rogelim | from the Walkers |