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גָּאַל

𐤂𐤀𐤋

gâʼal

H1351 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To defile, pollute, or render impure, especially in ceremonial or ethical contexts. The verb denotes the act of making something unclean, whether ritually (by contact with what is forbidden or impure) or morally (by acts considered abominable or shameful). It refers to physical or symbolic contamination, and can be applied to people, places, or objects.

Semantic Range

to defile ritually, to pollute morally, to desecrate sacred things, to render unclean, to stain physically or symbolically

Root / Etymology

The word derives from the root גָּאַל (g-ʼ-l), which at the root level conveys the idea of defilement or pollution. In this verbal form (qal), it means 'to defile,' although the same consonants underlie a separate root with the meaning 'to redeem' (gōʼēl), which should not be confused with this sense. The semantic development here centers on the concept of soiling or polluting.

Historical & Contextual Notes

גָּאַל in the sense of 'to defile' is distinct from the homographic root meaning 'to redeem.' In biblical usage, this verb describes ceremonial pollution (such as defilement of the land by bloodshed or idolatry) and sometimes personal defilement by immoral acts. The term occurs especially in priestly and prophetic texts, reflecting a concern for ritual purity and the boundaries between the holy and profane. The language of pollution or defilement often serves to depict the consequences of idolatry, injustice, or violence in the land, marking a breach in the relationship between the Israelites and their deity. English translations like 'defile' or 'pollute' generally capture the sense, though 'desecrate' is also found when the context is particularly religious or sancta-focused. It is important not to confuse this root with גָּאַל meaning 'to redeem/the redeemer.'

Translation Consistency

primary "defile" 10 occurrences

‘Defile’ matches the predominant existing renderings and naturally covers both ritual and moral contamination (ceremonial impurity, polluting sacred things, staining). It is a common, natural English verb in biblical contexts and will produce clear, consistent renderings across all forms of this Hebrew root.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"stained" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root, (rather identified with גָּאַל, through the idea of freeing, i.e. repudiating); to soil or (figuratively) desecrate; defile, pollute, stain.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

גאל (g-ʾ-l) — defilement, pollution, desecration, staining

Root גָּאַל to defile, pollute, soil, desecrate
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1350 גָּאַל I will act as kinsman-redeemer
H1352 גֹּאֶל kinsman-redeemers of
H1353 גְּאֻלָּה kin-based redemption
H3008 יִגְאָל and May-He-Redeem

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1351-04 נְגֹאֲל֣וּ negoalu HVNp3cp are defiled they were defiled they were defiled 2
H1351-07 יִתְגָּאַ֛ל yitegaal HVti3ms he would defile himself he will defile himself he would defile himself 2
H1351-03 מְגֹאָ֔ל megoal HVPsmsa defiled defiled one defiled 2
H1351-05 וַֽ/יְגֹאֲל֖וּ vayegoalu HC/VPw3mp they were excluded they were defiled and they were defiled 2
H1351-01 אֶגְאָֽלְתִּי egealeti HVhp1cs I have stained I have defiled I have stained 1
H1351-06 וְ/נִגְאָלָ֑ה venigealah HC/VNsfsa and defiled defiled and defiled 1
H1351-02 גֵֽאַלְנ֑וּ/ךָ gealenukha HVpp1cp/Sp2ms have we defiled You we have defiled you we have defiled you 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1351-04 Isaiah 59:3 נְגֹאֲל֣וּ negoalu HVNp3cp are defiled they were defiled are defiled
H1351-01 Isaiah 63:3 אֶגְאָֽלְתִּי egealeti HVhp1cs I have stained I have defiled I have stained
H1351-06 Zephaniah 3:1 וְ/נִגְאָלָ֑ה venigealah HC/VNsfsa and defiled defiled and defiled
H1351-03 Malachi 1:7 מְגֹאָ֔ל megoal HVPsmsa defiled defiled one defiled one
H1351-02 Malachi 1:7 גֵֽאַלְנ֑וּ/ךָ gealenukha HVpp1cp/Sp2ms have we defiled You we have defiled you we have defiled you
H1351-03 Malachi 1:12 מְגֹאָ֣ל megoal HVPsmsa defiled defiled one defiled
H1351-04 Lamentations 4:14 נְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ negoalu HVNp3cp they were defiled they were defiled they were defiled
H1351-07 Daniel 1:8 יִתְגָּאַ֛ל yitegaal HVti3ms he would defile himself he will defile himself he would defile himself
H1351-07 Daniel 1:8 יִתְגָּאָֽל yitegaal-2 HVti3ms to defile himself he will defile himself he would defile himself
H1351-05 Ezra 2:62 וַֽ/יְגֹאֲל֖וּ vayegoalu HC/VPw3mp they were excluded they were defiled and they were defiled
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