from the same as עָגֹל; something revolving, i.e. a wheeled vehicle; cart, chariot, wagon
Transliteration:ʻăgâlâh
Pronunciation:ag-aw-law'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term עֲגָלָה (ʻăgâlâh `{{H5699}}`) denotes a wheeled vehicle, specifically a cart, wagon, or in some broader contexts, a chariot. Its etymology is rooted in the concept of circularity and revolving motion, stemming from the same root as עָגֹל (ʻāgōl), meaning "round." This highlights the fundamental characteristic of the ʻăgâlâh as a conveyance equipped with wheels. The semantic range encompasses various types of wheeled conveyances used primarily for transport of goods, materials, or people, typically drawn by draft animals like oxen. It signifies a practical tool for moving heavy or bulky items efficiently over land.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The ʻăgâlâh appears in several significant biblical narratives, each context illuminating its function and symbolic weight:
* **Transport of the Ark of the Covenant:** This is perhaps the most theologically charged use of the ʻăgâlâh.
* In [[1 Samuel 6:7-14]], the Philistines use a "new cart" (ʻăgâlâh ḥăḏāšāh) drawn by cows to return the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. The newness of the cart emphasizes its ceremonial purity for sacred use, even by those unfamiliar with Israelite law.
* Tragically, in [[2 Samuel 6:3-9]] and [[1 Chronicles 13:7-12]], King David attempts to transport the Ark to Jerusalem on a "new cart," mirroring the Philistine method. This act, though seemingly reverent and practical, violated the explicit divine command that the Ark was to be carried by the Levites on poles ([[Numbers 4:15]]). The death of Uzzah, who touched the Ark to steady it, underscores the severe consequences of disregarding divine protocol, even with good intentions. Here, the ʻăgâlâh becomes a symbol of human expediency attempting to supersede divine instruction.
* **Logistical Support for the Tabernacle:**
* In [[Numbers 7:3-8]], tribal leaders present Moses with six covered wagons (ʻăgālōṯ ṣāḇ) and twelve oxen for the service of the Tabernacle. These wagons are then distributed to the Gershonites and Merarites for transporting the heavy components of the Tabernacle during Israel's wilderness wanderings. This demonstrates the ʻăgâlâh's essential role in facilitating the portable sanctuary and the practical demands of divine service.
* **Provision and Migration:**
* [[Genesis 45:19-27]] records Pharaoh's command, at Joseph's behest, to send wagons (ʻăgālōṯ) from Egypt to Canaan to bring Jacob and his entire family to Egypt. These wagons serve as a tangible sign of Pharaoh's provision and Joseph's power, facilitating the migration of the nascent Israelite nation.
* **Agricultural and Metaphorical Use:**
* [[Amos 2:13]] employs the ʻăgâlâh in a powerful metaphor: "Behold, I will press you down in your place, as a cart presses down that is full of sheaves." This imagery depicts the immense weight of Israel's sin and the impending judgment, likening it to an overloaded wagon pressing down the ground, symbolizing the crushing burden of their iniquity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of ʻăgâlâh is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **עָגֹל (ʻāgōl):** The root meaning "round" or "circular," directly informing the nature of the ʻăgâlâh as a wheeled vehicle. This connection emphasizes the mechanical aspect of the word.
* **גלגל (galgal `{{H1536}}`):** "Wheel" or "revolving thing." This term specifies the core component of the ʻăgâlâh, highlighting the mechanism of movement.
* **רֶכֶב (rekhev `{{H7393}}`):** "Chariot," "horsemen," "chariotry." While ʻăgâlâh can sometimes be broadly translated as "chariot," רֶכֶב is the more specific term for military chariots, often implying speed and armed conflict. ʻăgâlâh generally refers to a heavier, slower vehicle for transport of goods or people, distinguishing it from the often lighter and faster רֶכֶב.
* **משא (maśśāʼ `{{H4853}}`):** "Burden," "load." The ʻăgâlâh is inherently designed to carry a maśśāʼ, underscoring its utility for heavy transport.
* **שור (shor `{{H7794}}`):** "Ox." Oxen were the primary draft animals used to pull the ʻăgâlâh, particularly for heavy loads, as seen in [[Numbers 7:3]] and [[1 Samuel 6:7]].
### Theological Significance
The ʻăgâlâh carries significant theological weight, particularly in its association with the Ark of the Covenant. This context elevates the humble cart from a mere utilitarian object to a symbol of profound theological truths:
* **Divine Holiness and Obedience:** The most prominent theological lesson derived from the ʻăgâlâh is the paramount importance of strict obedience to divine command concerning sacred things. The tragic outcome of Uzzah's death when the Ark was transported on a cart ([[2 Samuel 6:6-7]]) serves as a stark reminder that God's holiness demands adherence to His prescribed methods ([[Numbers 4:15]]), not human ingenuity or well-intentioned shortcuts. The ʻăgâlâh in this narrative symbolizes the danger of approaching the sacred on human terms rather than divine ones.
* **Divine Provision and Guidance:** In the narrative of Joseph and Jacob's family ([[Genesis 45:19-27]]), the wagons sent by Pharaoh represent God's providential care for His people. They are the means by which a crucial phase of the covenant history unfolds, facilitating the journey that leads to the growth of Israel in Egypt.
* **Service and Burden of Ministry:** The use of wagons for transporting the Tabernacle components ([[Numbers 7:3-8]]) highlights the practical demands and the physical burdens associated with sacred service. It underscores that even divinely appointed tasks require appropriate tools and means for their fulfillment.
* **Symbol of Judgment and Iniquity:** The metaphorical use in [[Amos 2:13]] portrays the ʻăgâlâh as a symbol of the crushing weight of sin. It illustrates the unbearable burden of Israel's transgressions, which will ultimately lead to divine judgment, emphasizing the spiritual consequences of unrepentant sin.
### Summary
The Hebrew word עֲgālâh (ʻăgâlâh `{{H5699}}`) primarily denotes a wheeled vehicle, specifically a cart or wagon, designed for transport. Its occurrences in the biblical text reveal its practical utility in various contexts, from moving heavy components of the Tabernacle ([[Numbers 7:3-8]]) and facilitating family migrations ([[Genesis 45:19-27]]) to agricultural tasks ([[Amos 2:13]]). However, its most profound theological significance emerges from the narratives surrounding the Ark of the Covenant ([[1 Samuel 6:7-14]], [[2 Samuel 6:3-9]]). In these instances, the ʻăgâlâh transcends its utilitarian function to become a potent symbol of the tension between human logic and divine command. While a practical means of transport, its use for the Ark, contrary to God's specific instructions, led to severe consequences, emphasizing the absolute necessity of obedience and reverence in approaching divine holiness. Thus, ʻăgâlâh is more than a simple conveyance; it is a vehicle that, depending on its application and adherence to God's will, can symbolize divine provision, the demands of sacred service, the weight of sin, and critically, the perils of human presumption in matters of worship.
TRV