### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H1557 (גָּלָל, *gâlâl*) refers specifically to "dung," particularly animal excrement that appears in rounded, "rolled" forms, such as droppings from sheep, goats, or cattle. Its etymology traces directly to the verb `{{H1556}}` (גָּלַל, *gālal*), meaning "to roll." This etymological connection is crucial, as it defines the specific physical characteristic of the excrement being described—namely, its appearance as rolled balls. The semantic range of gâlâl is narrow and concrete, consistently denoting a substance of extreme impurity, worthlessness, and repulsion within its biblical contexts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term gâlâl appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are highly impactful, exclusively within prophetic texts that convey strong messages of judgment and defilement.
1. **[[Ezekiel 4:12]]**: In a powerful symbolic act, the prophet Ezekiel is commanded by God to bake his bread using human dung as fuel. This shocking instruction is part of a series of signs prophesying the severe siege of Jerusalem, where the inhabitants would face extreme famine and defilement, forced to eat unclean food prepared with impure fuel. The use of gâlâl here underscores the depth of the city's degradation and the breaking of covenant purity.
2. **[[Ezekiel 4:15]]**: Following Ezekiel's plea, God permits him to use cow's dung instead of human dung. While a slight alleviation, the use of animal gâlâl still signifies a state of profound hardship and impurity, highlighting the dire circumstances and the impurity of the food consumed during the siege.
3. **[[Zephaniah 1:17]]**: In a prophecy of the "Day of the Lord," Zephaniah declares, "their flesh shall be like dung." This vivid imagery describes the utter contempt and lack of burial that awaits those who have sinned against the Lord. Their bodies will be scattered and become like refuse, emphasizing the complete abasement and the severity of divine judgment that leaves no honor or dignity to the condemned.
In all contexts, gâlâl is associated with extreme impurity, worthlessness, and the consequences of divine judgment. It is never used neutrally but always carries a strong negative connotation, depicting the lowest possible state of defilement and contempt.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root verb `{{H1556}}` (גָּלַל, *gālal*), "to roll," which gives gâlâl its specific nuance of "rolled" dung. Other Hebrew words for excrement or refuse, though not directly derived from the same root, share a similar semantic field of impurity and contempt:
* `{{H6569}}` (פֶּרֶשׁ, *peresh*): Refers to "excrement" or "dung," often in the context of sacrificial animals where it was taken outside the camp as unclean (e.g., [[Exodus 29:14]], [[Leviticus 4:11]]).
* `{{H6675}}` (צוֹאָה, *tsô'â*): Denotes "excrement," "filth," or "refuse" in a more general sense, often signifying moral or ritual defilement (e.g., [[Isaiah 28:8]]).
* `{{H2755}}` (חֲרָאִים, *ḥărā'îm*): Specifically refers to "human excrement," often used in contexts of extreme contempt or insult (e.g., [[2 Kings 18:27]], [[Isaiah 36:12]]).
Conceptually, gâlâl is deeply intertwined with themes of impurity, defilement, degradation, divine judgment, worthlessness, and abomination. It stands in stark contrast to concepts of purity, holiness, and divine favor.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of gâlâl lies primarily in its powerful symbolic representation of utter contempt and abasement, particularly as an instrument and consequence of divine judgment.
1. **Symbol of Ultimate Degradation:** To be associated with gâlâl is to be reduced to the lowest possible state. In Ezekiel's prophecy, the command to use dung as fuel for bread signifies the extreme famine and the breaking of ritual purity laws that would accompany Jerusalem's siege, a direct consequence of the people's idolatry and rebellion. This act profoundly illustrates the depths of humiliation and defilement that sin brings.
2. **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** In Zephaniah, the image of bodies becoming "like dung" is a stark portrayal of God's righteous wrath against unrepentant sin. It communicates the complete lack of honor, the utter worthlessness, and the severe judgment that awaits those who defy the Lord. The unburied dead, scattered like refuse, signify a profound curse and a final, irreversible condemnation.
3. **Consequences of Sin:** The imagery of gâlâl serves as a visceral reminder of the repulsive and degrading nature of sin. When humanity turns away from God's holiness, it descends into a state of spiritual and physical impurity, becoming an object of divine displeasure and ultimate contempt. The use of this term underscores the severity of God's standards for purity and the dire consequences of violating His covenant.
4. **Purity and Holiness:** By its very nature, gâlâl stands in opposition to the concepts of purity and holiness central to Israelite worship and life. Its inclusion in prophetic warnings highlights the chasm between God's unblemished nature and the defiled state of humanity in rebellion.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H1557 (גָּלָל, *gâlâl*), derived from the root `{{H1556}}` ("to roll"), specifically denotes "dung" in its "rolled" form. Though appearing infrequently in the biblical text, its occurrences are concentrated in prophetic literature ([[Ezekiel 4:12]], [[Ezekiel 4:15]], [[Zephaniah 1:17]]), where it consistently serves as a potent symbol. The term invariably signifies extreme impurity, profound degradation, and utter worthlessness. Theologically, gâlâl is a powerful image of divine judgment and the severe consequences of sin, illustrating the abasement and contempt that befall those who rebel against God's holy standards. It underscores the stark contrast between human defilement and the divine demand for purity, serving as a stark reminder of the ultimate fate of the unrepentant.
TRV