from the same as גּוֹרָל; harsh; man of great (as in the margin which reads גָּדוֹל).
Transliteration:gârôl
Pronunciation:gaw-role'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma גָּרֹל (gârôl, `{{H1632}}`) presents a unique challenge in biblical lexicography due to its extreme rarity and the explicit note in its definition regarding a textual variant. Strong's defines it as "from the same as גּוֹרָל (goral, `{{H1486}}`); harsh; man of great (as in the margin which reads גָּדוֹל (gadol, `{{H1419}}`))."
This definition points to two potential semantic pathways:
1. **"Harsh":** If derived from גּוֹרָל (lot, destiny), גָּרֹל could imply something fixed, unyielding, or difficult, akin to a harsh lot or fate. This meaning, however, lacks strong contextual support in its sole proposed biblical occurrence.
2. **"Great" or "Mighty":** The crucial parenthetical note, "as in the margin which reads גָּדוֹל," strongly suggests that גָּרֹל is widely considered a scribal variant or an alternative orthography for גָּדוֹל (gadol, `{{H1419}}`), which means "great, large, mighty, important, noble." This interpretation aligns with the semantic field of leadership and prominence.
Therefore, the core meaning of גָּרֹל is highly debated. While the "harsh" meaning is etymologically proposed, the prevailing scholarly consensus leans towards its interpretation as a textual variant of גָּדוֹל, thus carrying the semantic range of "greatness" or "nobility."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word גָּרֹל (gârôl, `{{H1632}}`) is exceptionally rare, appearing only as a proposed reading or textual variant in the Hebrew Bible. Its most notable association is with [[Jeremiah 30:21]].
In [[Jeremiah 30:21]], the passage reads: "And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD."
The Masoretic Text (MT) for this verse typically reads וְאַדִּירוֹ מִמֶּנּוּ יֵצֵא וּמֹשְׁלוֹ מִקִּרְבּוֹ הוּא ("and his noble one shall come forth from him, and his ruler from his midst"). The word אַדִּיר (addir, `{{H117}}`) means "majestic, noble." The term מֹשְׁלוֹ (moshlo, `{{H4910}}`) refers to "his ruler" or "governor."
The inclusion of גָּרֹל (gârôl, `{{H1632}}`) in lexicons for this verse indicates that some textual traditions or critical analyses have identified it as a variant reading for a word that is otherwise understood as "great" or "mighty." Many scholars conclude that גָּרֹל is a rare scribal error for גָּדוֹל (gadol, `{{H1419}}`). If גָּדוֹל is the intended reading, the context describes a future leader of Israel who is "great" or "mighty," emerging from within the nation itself. This aligns perfectly with the prophetic promise of a divinely appointed native ruler, a theme consistent with the Messianic expectations.
Should the "harsh" meaning of גָּרֹל be considered, it would introduce a semantic dissonance, as the passage speaks of the Lord's favor in raising up this leader. Therefore, the contextual analysis strongly supports the interpretation of גָּרֹל as a variant of גָּדוֹל, signifying a leader of significant stature and authority.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of גָּרֹל (gârôl, `{{H1632}}`) is deeply intertwined with several other Hebrew terms:
* **גָּדוֹל (gadol, `{{H1419}}`):** This is the most crucial related word. As discussed, גָּרֹל is widely considered a textual variant of גָּדוֹל, meaning "great, large, mighty, important, noble." If this is the case, then גָּרֹל conceptually belongs to the vast semantic field of greatness, encompassing divine attributes, human leaders, and significant events.
* **גּוֹרָל (goral, `{{H1486}}`):** Meaning "lot, destiny, portion," this word is cited as the root from which גָּרֹל is derived by some lexicographers. While this etymological link might suggest the "harsh" meaning (e.g., a harsh lot), the contextual fit for גָּרֹל as "harsh" is weak. The primary connection seems to be phonological rather than semantic in the biblical context.
* **אַדִּיר (addir, `{{H117}}`):** Meaning "majestic, noble, mighty," this word appears in the same verse ([[Jeremiah 30:21]]) describing Israel's "nobles." This semantic proximity reinforces the idea that the disputed גָּרֹל (if interpreted as גָּדוֹל) also points to a leader of high status and authority.
* **מָשַׁל (mashal, `{{H4910}}`):** The root for "to rule, govern," from which מֹשְׁלוֹ ("his governor/ruler") in [[Jeremiah 30:21]] is derived. This highlights the theme of leadership and sovereignty, which is central to the passage where גָּרֹל is found, whether it refers to a "great" ruler or a "harsh" one (though the latter is less likely).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of גָּרֹל (gârôl, `{{H1632}}`) primarily rests on its interpretation as a variant of גָּדוֹל (gadol, `{{H1419}}`) within the context of [[Jeremiah 30:21]].
1. **The Promise of a Great Leader:** If גָּרֹל is understood as "great" or "mighty," the verse becomes a powerful prophecy concerning the future restoration of Israel. God promises to raise up a leader from within His people, one who is not a foreign oppressor but a native ruler of significant stature. This points towards the ideal Davidic king and ultimately foreshadows the Messiah, who is the "great" and divinely appointed leader of God's people, capable of drawing near to the Lord. This emphasizes God's faithfulness in providing righteous and effective governance for His covenant people.
2. **Divine Sovereignty and Restoration:** The context of Jeremiah 30 is the "Book of Consolation," a message of hope and restoration after exile. The promise of a "great" leader underscores God's sovereign power to re-establish His people, not just physically but also through righteous leadership. It signifies a future era where Israel will be truly governed by God's chosen representative, reflecting divine order and blessing.
3. **Textual Integrity and Providential Preservation:** The very existence of גָּרֹל as a debated textual point, often resolved by emendation to גָּדוֹל, highlights the meticulous nature of biblical transmission and scholarship. While minor textual variations exist, they rarely, if ever, compromise the core theological message. In this case, the preferred reading reinforces a consistent biblical theme of God raising up strong, divinely-sanctioned leaders, aligning with the broader narrative of salvation history and the coming King.
### Summary
The Hebrew word גָּרֹל (gârôl, `{{H1632}}`) is an exceedingly rare and textually debated lemma, primarily associated with [[Jeremiah 30:21]]. While its definition offers "harsh" and "man of great," scholarly consensus largely views it as a probable scribal variant for גָּדוֹל (gadol, `{{H1419}}`), meaning "great, large, or mighty." The proposed etymological link to גּוֹרָל (goral, `{{H1486}}`, "lot") for the "harsh" meaning is less compelling in the immediate biblical context. In [[Jeremiah 30:21]], the word describes a future leader of Israel who will emerge from within the nation. Interpreted as גָּדוֹל, it powerfully conveys the "greatness" and divine appointment of this ruler, foreshadowing the ideal Davidic king and ultimately the Messiah. The theological implications center on God's sovereign promise to provide righteous and effective leadership for His restored people. The ambiguity surrounding גָּרֹל serves as a valuable case study in textual criticism, demonstrating the careful process of discerning the most accurate reading and its profound theological implications.
TRV