English · KJV
H1566

גָּלַע

gâlaʻ /gaw-lah'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto be obstinate
KJV usage(inter-) meddle (with).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of gâlaʻ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word gâlaʻ, represented by H1566, is a primitive root defined as to be obstinate or to (inter-)meddle with. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible, primarily within the book of Proverbs, where it is associated with conflict and foolishness.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H1566 consistently relates to contentious or disruptive engagement. It is presented as the mark of a fool H191, who "will be meddling" in contrast to the honorable man who ceases from strife Proverbs 20:3. The term is also used to describe the escalation of a conflict, with scripture warning to "leave off H5203 contention H7379, before it be meddled with," comparing the beginning of strife to letting out water Proverbs 17:14. In a different context, a man who has separated himself out of desire is said to seek and intermeddleth with all wisdom Proverbs 18:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context of meddling:

  • H191 ʼĕvîyl (fool): This term describes the character of one who meddles. While an honorable man avoids strife, the text states that "every fool will be meddling" Proverbs 20:3.
  • H4066 mâdôwn (strife): This word for a contest or quarrel is the direct context for meddling. The beginning of strife is compared to a breach that should be abandoned before it is meddled with Proverbs 17:14.
  • H3519 kâbôwd (honour): Presented as the opposite of a meddling nature, it is an honour for a man to cease from strife, an action the fool does not take Proverbs 20:3.

Theological Significance

The theological warnings associated with H1566 are direct and practical.

  • The Inception of Conflict: The word highlights a critical point in a dispute. To meddle is to escalate a quarrel beyond its initial stage, like opening a floodgate that cannot be easily closed Proverbs 17:14. Wisdom involves ceasing contention before this point.
  • A Mark of Foolishness: Scripture explicitly contrasts the meddler with the honorable man. Engaging in strife is not a sign of strength but of being a fool H191, while honor H3519 is found in restraint Proverbs 20:3.
  • Intense Pursuit: The use of H1566 in Proverbs 18:1 suggests that the obstinate nature of the word can also apply to an intense, all-consuming search. In this case, a person who has separated H6504 himself then intermeddleth with all wisdom H8454.

Summary

In summary, H1566 is a term that primarily cautions against the obstinate act of engaging in conflict. It defines the behavior of a fool and stands in direct opposition to the honor found in peaceably ceasing from strife. While it most often appears in a negative light, its use in the context of seeking wisdom suggests a broader meaning of intensely and obstinately engaging with a subject, whether it be a quarrel or a pursuit of knowledge.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יִתְגַּלָּע
  • הִתְגַּלַּע

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H191 אֱוִיל from an unused root (meaning to be perverse); (figuratively) silly; fool(-ish) (man). H5203 נָטַשׁ a primitive root; properly, to pound, i.e. smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; al H7379 רִיב or רִב; from רִיב; a contest (personal or legal); [phrase] adversary, cause, chiding, contend(-tion), controversy, multi H4066 מָדוֹן from דִּין; a contest or quarrel; brawling, contention(-ous), discord, strife. Compare מִדְיָן, מְדָן. H3519 כָּבוֹד rarely כָּבֹד; from כָּבַד; properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness; glorious(- H6504 פָּרַד a primitive root; to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself); disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

3 verses, all in Proverbs — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.