גֹּדֶל
𐤂𐤃𐤋
gôdel
H1433 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State or quality of being great—refers to size, magnitude, or prominence; denotes physical greatness (size, stature), figurative greatness (importance, significance), or superiority in rank or power. Can describe great deeds, extensive possessions, or the moral, intellectual, or spiritual eminence of a person, nation, or deity.
Semantic Range
greatness, magnitude, size, prominence, superiority, pre-eminence, importance, abundance, excellence, majesty, high rank, might
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root גָּדַל (g-d-l), which means 'to be/become great, grow, increase.' גֹּדֶל is a noun formation emphasizing the abstract quality or state that arises from the act of growing or becoming great. The root conveys growth or increase in physical, social, or figurative senses.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, גֹּדֶל is often used to emphasize extraordinary size (Deut 3:24, 'what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the mighty works and acts like yours?'), social or political prominence (Ezek 31:2, describing the greatness of Assyria as a cedar tree), and the transcendent greatness of Yhwh or other deities/figures (Ps 79:11, 145:3). While later English translations sometimes render it as 'greatness' or 'majesty,' its semantic scope includes concrete (physical size, quantity) and abstract (importance, pre-eminence, might) domains. In some cases, 'superiority,' 'excellence,' or 'abundance' might more accurately capture the nuance. The concept of greatness can refer to individuals, groups, nations, or abstract qualities. Related terms: גָּדוֹל gadol ('great, large' adj.) and גָּדַל gadal ('to grow, become great' v.). The shift from concrete to abstract usage is already evident in biblical texts; post-biblical Hebrew further abstracts the term for ethical and spiritual greatness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from גָּדַל; magnitude (literally or figuratively); greatness, stout(-ness).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גדל (g-d-l) — to grow, become great, increase
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1419 | גָּדוֹל | in the great one |
| H1420 | גְּדוּלָה | greatness of |
| H1431 | גָּדַל | I will make great |
| H1432 | גָּדֵל | great-ones of |
| H1434 | גְּדִל | braided tassels |
Word Forms
9 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1433-08 |
וּ/בְ/גֹ֥דֶל | uvegodel | HC/R/Ncmsc |
and in arrogance | and in greatness of | 2 |
H1433-04 |
גָּדְל֔/וֹ | gadelo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
greatness-his | his greatness | 2 |
H1433-05 |
גֹ֖דֶל | godel | HNcmsa |
greatness | greatness | 2 |
H1433-07 |
כְּ/גֹ֣דֶל | kegodel | HR/Ncmsc |
according to the greatness | according to greatness of | 2 |
H1433-06 |
גֻּדְלֽ/וֹ | gudelo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
His excellent greatness | his greatness | 1 |
H1433-09 |
בְ/גָדְלֶֽ/ךָ | vegadelekha | HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
in your greatness | in your greatness | 1 |
H1433-03 |
גָּדְלְ/ךָ֔ | gadelekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your greatness | your greatness | 1 |
H1433-02 |
בְּ/גָדְל֔/וֹ | begadelo | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
in its greatness | in his greatness | 1 |
H1433-01 |
בְּ/גָדְלֶ֑/ךָ | begadelekha | HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
through Your greatness | in your greatness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
13 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1433-07 |
Numbers 14:19 | כְּ/גֹ֣דֶל | kegodel | HR/Ncmsc |
according to the greatness | according to greatness of |
H1433-03 |
Deuteronomy 3:24 | גָּדְלְ/ךָ֔ | gadelekha | HNcmsc/Sp2ms |
your greatness | your greatness |
H1433-04 |
Deuteronomy 5:24 | גָּדְל֔/וֹ | gadelo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his greatness | his greatness |
H1433-01 |
Deuteronomy 9:26 | בְּ/גָדְלֶ֑/ךָ | begadelekha | HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
through Your greatness | in your greatness |
H1433-04 |
Deuteronomy 11:2 | גָּדְל֕/וֹ | gadelo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
greatness-his | his greatness |
H1433-05 |
Deuteronomy 32:3 | גֹ֖דֶל | godel | HNcmsa |
greatness | greatness |
H1433-08 |
Isaiah 9:8 | וּ/בְ/גֹ֥דֶל | uvegodel | HC/R/Ncmsc |
and in arrogance | and in greatness of |
H1433-05 |
Isaiah 10:12 | גֹ֨דֶל֙ | godel | HNcmsc |
of greatness | greatness |
H1433-09 |
Ezekiel 31:2 | בְ/גָדְלֶֽ/ךָ | vegadelekha | HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms |
in your greatness | in your greatness |
H1433-02 |
Ezekiel 31:7 | בְּ/גָדְל֔/וֹ | begadelo | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
in its greatness | in his greatness |