or גִּלְיוֹן; from גָּלָה; a tablet for writing (as bare); by analogy, a mirror (as a plate); glass, roll.
Transliteration:gillâyôwn
Pronunciation:ghil-law-yone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word גִּלָּיוֹן (gillâyôwn), Strong's `{{H1549}}`, derives from the root גָּלָה (galah) `{{H1540}}`, meaning "to uncover," "to reveal," or "to make bare." This etymological connection is crucial for understanding its semantic range. Fundamentally, גִּלָּיוֹן refers to something that is "uncovered" or "bare" for a specific purpose.
Its primary semantic applications in the biblical text are twofold:
1. **A Writing Tablet or Scroll:** In this sense, it denotes a smooth, bare surface prepared for inscription, such as a tablet of wood or metal, or a scroll. The "uncovered" nature allows for the revelation of written information.
2. **A Mirror:** By analogy, it can refer to a polished, reflective surface, typically made of metal, that "uncovers" or "reveals" an image. Ancient mirrors were not made of glass but of highly polished bronze or copper. The term "glass" in some translations may be an anachronistic interpretation of a transparent or reflective material.
Both meanings converge on the idea of a surface that makes something visible or known, whether through inscription or reflection.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term גִּלָּיוֹן appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in the book of Isaiah, demonstrating its distinct yet context-dependent usage:
1. **[[Isaiah 8:1]]**: "Moreover the LORD said to me, 'Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.'" Here, גִּלָּיוֹן clearly refers to a "large tablet" or "scroll" (often translated as "roll" or "tablet"). The context is prophetic: God commands Isaiah to inscribe a message of impending judgment and plunder on a public writing surface. The "large" nature of the גִּלָּיוֹן suggests its purpose as a visible, public record, intended for all to see and understand the certainty of God's word. This usage perfectly aligns with the "bare for writing" aspect of the word's definition.
2. **[[Isaiah 3:23]]**: "...the transparent garments, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils." In this passage, גִּלָּיוֹן is listed among the luxurious adornments of the "daughters of Zion" who are being condemned for their vanity and pride. While some older translations render it "glasses" (KJV), the more accurate and widely accepted interpretation in modern scholarship is "mirrors." These would have been highly polished metal hand-mirrors, used for personal grooming and display. This usage aligns with the "mirror (as a plate)" aspect, emphasizing a reflective surface that reveals an image, in this case, one's own reflection, contributing to self-adornment and pride.
The distinct contexts illuminate the dual nature of גִּלָּיוֹן: a medium for divine revelation in one instance, and an object of human vanity in another.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for גִּלָּיוֹן is its root, גָּלָה (galah) `{{H1540}}`. This root signifies "to uncover," "to reveal," "to disclose," or "to go into exile" (as in being "uncovered" from one's land). The semantic range of גִּלָּיוֹן directly reflects this root's meaning:
* A writing tablet "uncovers" or "reveals" the written word.
* A mirror "uncovers" or "reveals" an image.
Other related concepts and words include:
* **Writing Surfaces:** סֵפֶר (sefer) `{{H5612}}`, which typically denotes a "book" or "scroll," and לוּחַ (luach) `{{H3871}}`, a "tablet" often used for writing or for the tablets of the Law. While גִּלָּיוֹן in [[Isaiah 8:1]] could be considered a type of לוּחַ or סֵפֶר, its specific nuance emphasizes the "blankness" or "readiness" of the surface for inscription.
* **Mirrors/Reflective Surfaces:** מַרְאָה (mar'ah) `{{H4758}}`, which means "mirror" or "vision." While מַרְאָה explicitly denotes a mirror, גִּלָּיוֹן in [[Isaiah 3:23]] uses the root גָּלָה to imply the act of revealing an image, thereby functioning as a mirror.
The connection to גָּלָה also links גִּלָּיוֹן to broader theological concepts of revelation, prophecy, and the uncovering of truth or judgment.
### Theological Significance
The dual application of גִּלָּיוֹן in Isaiah carries significant theological weight:
1. **Medium of Divine Revelation and Certainty (The Tablet/Scroll):** In [[Isaiah 8:1]], the גִּלָּיוֹן serves as a tangible medium for God's prophetic word. The command to write "with an ordinary pen" on a "large tablet" signifies the clarity, public nature, and irrefutable certainty of God's message of impending judgment on Judah and Syria. The act of writing makes the divine decree visible and undeniable, serving as a witness against those who would doubt or disobey. It underscores God's active involvement in history and His communication of His will to humanity. This גִּלָּיוֹן is an instrument through which God "uncovers" His plans.
2. **Symbol of Human Vanity and Pride (The Mirror):** In [[Isaiah 3:23]], the גִּלָּיוֹן as a mirror is part of a litany of luxurious items that symbolize the spiritual decay and arrogance of the women of Jerusalem. Their preoccupation with outward appearance and self-adornment reflects a heart turned away from God. The mirror, an object used to "uncover" one's own image, here becomes a symbol of self-absorption and superficiality, contrasting sharply with the true glory and beauty that come from devotion to the Lord. The impending judgment will "uncover" their true spiritual nakedness, stripping away their superficial glory.
Thus, גִּלָּיוֹן functions as a powerful theological metaphor for different forms of "uncovering": God's "uncovering" of His truth and judgment to humanity, and humanity's "uncovering" of its own character, whether in humble reception of God's word or in proud self-admiration.
### Summary
The Hebrew word גִּלָּיוֹן (gillâyôwn) `{{H1549}}`, rooted in גָּלָה `{{H1540}}` ("to uncover, reveal"), possesses a fascinating semantic range, denoting both a "writing tablet or scroll" and a "mirror." Its two biblical occurrences in Isaiah powerfully illustrate these distinct yet interconnected meanings. In [[Isaiah 8:1]], the גִּilָּיוֹן functions as a large, public writing surface, symbolizing the clarity, certainty, and public nature of God's revealed prophetic word. Conversely, in [[Isaiah 3:23]], it refers to a mirror, serving as a symbol of human vanity, pride, and the superficiality that will be exposed by divine judgment. In essence, גִּלָּיוֹן encapsulates the concept of something being "uncovered" or "revealed"—whether divine truth for human understanding or human character for divine scrutiny.
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