feminine of גָּלִיל; a circuit or region; border, coast, country.
Transliteration:gᵉlîylâh
Pronunciation:ghel-ee-law'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term gᵉlîylâh (`{{H1552}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the root גָּלַל (galal, `{{H1556}}`), which carries the primary sense of "to roll," "to roll away," or "to make round." Consequently, gᵉlîylâh inherently conveys the idea of something that is "rolled" or "circular." As the feminine form of גָּלִיל (galil, `{{H1550}}`), which can denote a "cylinder" or "circuit," gᵉlîylâh extends this meaning to a geographical context. Its core semantic range encompasses "a circuit," "a region," or "an area defined by its perimeter." This leads to translations such as "border," "coast," "country," and "district," all implying a delimited or encircled territory. The term emphasizes the bounded nature of a particular geographical space.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term gᵉlîylâh (`{{H1552}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible primarily in its plural form, geliylot, to denote specific geographical regions or districts. Its usage consistently points to areas that are distinct and often peripheral.
In [[Joshua 13:2]], it refers to "all the districts of the Philistines" (גְּלִילוֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּים). Here, geliylot delineates the various administrative or tribal territories within Philistia, emphasizing their distinct boundaries. Similarly, in [[Joel 3:4]], the phrase "all the regions of Philistia" (כֹּל גְּלִילוֹת פְּלֶשֶׁת) is used in a prophetic context concerning divine judgment, again highlighting the defined territories of this foreign nation.
Another significant usage is in [[Joshua 22:10]] and [[Joshua 22:11]], where it describes "the region of the Jordan" (גְּלִילוֹת הַיַּרְדֵּן). This refers to the surrounding areas or circuits along the Jordan River, particularly where the Transjordanian tribes built an altar. The context underscores the geographical division between the lands west and east of the Jordan, a crucial boundary in Israelite territorial identity.
In [[Ezekiel 47:8]], gᵉlîylâh appears in the context of the eschatological river flowing from the temple, transforming the "region of the Dead Sea" (אֶל הַגְּלִילָה אֶל הַיָּם) into fertile land. This usage highlights a specific, well-known geographical area, demonstrating its potential for divine transformation.
While the famous "Galilee of the nations" (גְּלִיל הַגּוֹיִם) in [[Isaiah 9:1]] uses the masculine form galil (`{{H1550}}`), the conceptual link is paramount. Both terms denote a defined region, and the feminine gᵉlîylâh often describes the broader districts or circuits, further emphasizing the nature of these areas as distinct geographical entities.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for gᵉlîylâh (`{{H1552}}`) is its root גָּלַל (galal, `{{H1556}}`), meaning "to roll." This root gives rise to the core concept of a "circuit" or "enclosed area." Directly related is its masculine counterpart, גָּלִיל (galil, `{{H1550}}`), which can refer to a "cylinder," "circuit," or, most notably, the region of "Galilee." The conceptual overlap between gᵉlîylâh (a region/circuit) and galil (Galilee as a region) is profound, as both describe a geographically defined area.
Other Hebrew terms that describe land, territory, or boundaries include:
* אֶרֶץ (eretz, `{{H776}}`): A general term for land, earth, or country.
* נַחֲלָה (nachalah, `{{H5159}}`): An inheritance or allotted territory, often referring to tribal land.
* גְּבוּל (gevul, `{{H1366}}`): A border or boundary, emphasizing the line of demarcation.
* תְּחוּם (techum, `{{H8466}}`): A boundary, limit, or territory, often referring to the extent of an area.
While these terms share the broad semantic field of geographical space, gᵉlîylâh uniquely emphasizes the circular or encompassing nature of a region, suggesting a district that is perceived as a distinct circuit or periphery.
### Theological Significance
While gᵉlîylâh (`{{H1552}}`) is primarily a geographical descriptor, its theological significance emerges from the contexts in which it is used and the broader biblical understanding of land and territory.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Order:** The precise naming and delineation of "regions" or "districts" reflect God's meticulous ordering of the world. The boundaries of nations and the allotted territories of Israelite tribes, often described with terms like gᵉlîylâh, are not arbitrary but are part of God's sovereign plan. This underscores His ultimate dominion over all land and its inhabitants.
2. **Covenant and Inheritance:** The land, including its various geliylot, is central to God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants. The promise of an inheritance (e.g., [[Genesis 15:18-21]]) involves specific geographical boundaries. Even the "regions of the Philistines" are subject to God's dealings, whether in judgment or in the broader scope of His plan for Israel.
3. **Prophetic Significance of Borderlands:** The concept of a "region" or "circuit" often points to peripheral or border areas. The most profound theological implication, though using the masculine galil (`{{H1550}}`), is the "Galilee of the nations" (גְּלִיל הַגּוֹיִם) in [[Isaiah 9:1]]. This prophecy, quoted in [[Matthew 4:15-16]], highlights a region historically considered a periphery, inhabited by a mix of peoples, as the very place where the "great light" of the Messiah would dawn. This transforms a seemingly insignificant or "dark" borderland into a pivotal locus of divine revelation and salvation history, demonstrating God's redemptive focus even on the margins.
4. **Judgment and Restoration:** In prophetic books like Joel and Ezekiel, the "regions" are not merely neutral spaces but are subject to divine judgment or are part of God's restorative work. The transformation of the Dead Sea region in Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 47) illustrates God's power to bring life and healing even to the most desolate geliylot.
### Summary
gᵉlîylâh (`{{H1552}}`) is a Hebrew feminine noun meaning "circuit," "region," "border," or "coast." Derived from the root גָּלַל (galal, `{{H1556}}`, "to roll") and related to גָּלִיל (galil, `{{H1550}}`), it describes a geographically defined or delimited area. Biblically, it frequently appears in its plural form, geliylot, denoting specific districts or territories, such as the "districts of the Philistines" or the "region of the Jordan." While primarily a descriptive geographical term, its usage underscores key theological concepts: God's sovereign ordering and ownership of all land, the importance of defined territories within His covenant with Israel, and the prophetic significance of "borderlands" as sites for divine action, particularly exemplified by the "Galilee of the nations" (though using the masculine form, the concept of a distinct region is shared). The term implicitly highlights God's dominion over every gᵉlîylâh on earth.
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