גָּלַל

gâlal /gaw-lal'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto roll (literally or figuratively)
KJV usagecommit, remove, roll (away, down, together), run down, seek occasion, trust, wallow.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word gâlal, represented by H1556, is a primitive root meaning to roll. It appears 18 times across 18 unique verses in the Bible. While its literal definition is simple, its application is broad and powerful, extending figuratively to concepts such as to commit, remove, run down, seek occasion, trust, and even to wallow.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H1556 is used in both literal and figurative contexts. Its most direct meaning is seen in narratives where a physical object is moved, such as when Jacob rolled the stone H68 from the well's mouth Genesis 29:10. The word also carries a proverbial weight, as in the warning that for he that rolleth a stone H68, it will return upon him Proverbs 26:27. Figuratively, it signifies a transfer of burden or responsibility, as when believers are instructed to Commit their works H4639 Proverbs 16:3 and their way H1870 Psalms 37:5 to the LORD. It is also used to describe God's powerful acts of judgment, such as when He promises to roll a destroying mountain down from the rocks Jeremiah 51:25 or when the heavens are rolled together as a scroll H5612 Isaiah 34:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illuminate the meaning of H1556:

  • H68 'eben (a stone): This is the most common literal object associated with gâlal. Its presence in passages about wells and tombs highlights the physical effort and significance of the act of rolling (Genesis 29:8, Joshua 10:18).
  • H1870 derek (a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action): This word represents the abstract burden that is "rolled" onto the LORD in an act of faith. It signifies one's entire life path being entrusted to God's care Psalms 37:5.
  • H1537 Gilgâl (Gilgal): The name of this significant place in Israel's history is directly derived from H1556. God declared, "This day have I rolled away the reproach H2781 of Egypt from off you," forever linking the word to an act of national deliverance and cleansing Joshua 5:9.
  • H2781 cherpâh (contumely, disgrace, the pudenda; rebuke, reproach(-fully), shame): This represents the spiritual or emotional weight that is removed by the action of gâlal, whether it is the reproach of Egypt Joshua 5:9 or the personal plea to Remove from me reproach and contempt H937 Psalms 119:22.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H1556 is centered on the concept of transfer. It powerfully illustrates core spiritual principles through a simple physical action.

  • Act of Trust and Commitment: The word is used to define the act of faith. To Commit (gâlal) one's way H1870 to the LORD is to roll the burden of one's life, plans, and outcomes onto God, trusting Him to establish them (Proverbs 16:3, Psalms 37:5). It is a conscious surrender of control.
  • Divine Power and Judgment: The word describes God's sovereign power over creation and nations. He can roll down a mighty empire like a stone from a cliff Jeremiah 51:25 and will one day roll together the heavens like a scroll H5612 Isaiah 34:4. This usage conveys unstoppable, final action.
  • Redemptive Removal of Shame: A key redemptive theme is captured in God's act to roll away the reproach H2781 of Israel's slavery in Egypt. This event, memorialized in the name Gilgal H1537, signifies a new beginning and the removal of past disgrace by divine intervention Joshua 5:9.

Summary

In summary, H1556 gâlal demonstrates how a basic physical verb—to roll—can convey profound spiritual truth. From the literal act of moving a stone H68 to the figurative act of entrusting one's life to God, the word consistently implies the transfer of a great weight. It serves as a biblical illustration for committing our burdens to the LORD, the awesome power of His judgment, and His grace in rolling away our deepest reproach.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 18 occurrences, inflected in 14 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 2×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Hithpael Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Hithpael Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Hithpael Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Niphal Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Piel Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Pual Participle Passive Singular Feminine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×

+ 2 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 18 verses across 10 books. Most frequent in Genesis (4 verses).

4
Genesis
2
Joshua
1
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
1
Job
3
Psalms
2
Proverbs
2
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah
1
Amos

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