from an unused root probably meaning to polish; the (human) skin (as smooth); skin.
Transliteration:geled
Pronunciation:ghe'-led
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term גֶּלֶד (transliterated geled, `{{H1539}}`) is derived from an unused root that likely carried the meaning "to polish." This etymological connection informs its primary definition as "the (human) skin," specifically emphasizing its quality as smooth or polished. While "skin" is the core meaning, the implied smoothness distinguishes it from more general terms for skin. It refers to the outer covering of the human body, highlighting its surface texture and appearance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word geled (`{{H1539}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Job.
* **[[Job 16:15]]**: "I have sewn sackcloth upon my skin (גֶּלֶד) and defiled my horn in the dust."
In this poignant lament, Job describes his profound state of grief and physical affliction. The act of "sewing sackcloth upon my skin" is a vivid image of extreme mourning, humiliation, and self-abasement. Sackcloth, a coarse and rough material, stands in stark contrast to the implied smoothness of geled. This juxtaposition underscores the depth of Job's suffering, as the harsh fabric directly irritates his vulnerable skin, symbolizing his raw physical and emotional pain. The use of geled here emphasizes the very surface of his being as the locus of his suffering, making his lament intensely personal and corporeal. It is not merely a covering but the very flesh upon which his suffering is manifested.
### Related Words & Concepts
While geled refers specifically to the human skin with an emphasis on its smoothness, it exists alongside other Hebrew terms for the body and its coverings:
* **עוֹר (`{{H5785}}`, or)**: This is the most common Hebrew word for "skin," used broadly for human skin, animal hides, or leather. It lacks the specific nuance of "smoothness" found in geled.
* **בָּשָׂר (`{{H1320}}`, basar)**: Meaning "flesh," this term often refers to the entire physical body, including muscles, bones, and skin, and can also denote humanity in its frailty or physicality in contrast to spirit.
* **גּוּף (`{{H1472}}`, guf)**: A more general term for "body" or "corpse."
The implied root meaning "to polish" for geled suggests an association with surfaces, perhaps even beauty or refinement, which is then tragically inverted in Job's context, where his smooth skin is desecrated by sackcloth and dust. The concept of "covering" or "outward appearance" is central to its usage, particularly as it relates to the body's interface with the external world.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, the use of geled in [[Job 16:15]] carries significant theological weight within the context of Job's suffering. It highlights the physical body as an integral part of human experience and the primary locus of affliction. Job's "skin" (geled) becomes a canvas upon which his profound inner turmoil and outward humiliation are displayed. The act of sewing sackcloth directly onto his skin signifies a complete surrender to grief and a tangible expression of his brokenness before God. This emphasizes the holistic nature of human suffering, which impacts not only the spirit and mind but also the very physical surface of one's being. It underscores human vulnerability and frailty in the face of divine sovereignty and inexplicable pain, asserting that suffering is not merely an abstract concept but a deeply personal, corporeal reality.
### Summary
The Hebrew word גֶּלֶד (geled, `{{H1539}}`) denotes the human skin, with an etymological link to the concept of smoothness or polish. Its sole biblical appearance is in [[Job 16:15]], where Job describes sewing sackcloth directly "upon his skin" as a powerful metaphor for extreme mourning, physical suffering, and profound humiliation. While related to broader terms like עוֹר (`{{H5785}}`, "skin") and בָּשָׂר (`{{H1320}}`, "flesh"), geled subtly emphasizes the smooth, vulnerable surface of the body. Theologically, its use in Job underscores the physical reality of human suffering and vulnerability, portraying the body's surface as a direct expression of inner anguish and a profound act of submission to a sorrowful fate before God.
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