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גְּדוּלָה

𐤂𐤃𐤅𐤋𐤄

gᵉdûwlâh

H1420 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ג־ד־ל to be/become great, to grow, to increase

Definition

Greatness, majesty, or eminence—both as a quality and, in context, as the status, grandeur, or distinguished position of a person or entity. It denotes the state or condition of being great in physical, social, political, or moral terms. The term may also point to specific acts that express such greatness.

Semantic Range

greatness, majesty, eminence, grandeur, distinguished position or status, mighty acts, manifestation of greatness, dignity

Root / Etymology

Root: גדל (g-d-l), meaning primarily 'to be/become great, grow, make large.' The abstract noun גְּדוּלָה (gedûlah) is formed by adding the feminine noun ending -ָה (-ah) to the root, signifying the quality or state of being great. The root meaning is 'to be/become great,' but the noun indicates the condition, quality, or sometimes the manifestations of greatness.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, גְּדוּלָה typically conveys the abstract quality of greatness, frequently attributed to YHWH (especially in poetic and liturgical contexts) as an affirmation of divine majesty or sovereignty. It appears in formulaic praise expressions (e.g., 1 Chron 29:11), reflecting theological and royal language of grandeur and exaltation, but is also occasionally applied to prominent persons for their distinguished status or achievements (e.g., Mordecai in Esther 6:3). In some texts, it refers not only to enduring qualities but also to specific acts or displays that demonstrate greatness—such as mighty deeds (cf. 2 Chron 9:6). The abstract noun overlaps in meaning with terms like גָּדוֹל (gadol, 'great') and עֹז ('strength, might'). Standard English translations often render the word as 'greatness' or 'majesty,' but nuance such as 'eminence' or 'magnificence' may be appropriate in certain contexts. During the First Temple period, its application is primarily royal or divine; in later periods, particularly in prayer and doxology, it takes on a more liturgical nuance, expressing praise and transcendence. The KJV's occasional renderings like 'mighty acts' reflect interpretation, not a direct semantic range; the core is the abstract quality or state of greatness or majesty.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or גְּדֻלָּה; (shortened) or (less accurately) גְּדוּלָּה; feminine of גָּדוֹל; greatness; (concretely) mighty acts; dignity, great things(-ness), majesty.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גדל (g-d-l) — to be great, to grow, to increase

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1419 גָּדוֹל in the great one
H1431 גָּדַל I will make great
H1432 גָּדֵל great-ones of
H1433 גֹּדֶל in your greatness
H1434 גְּדִל braided tassels

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1420-05 הַ/גְּדוּלָּ֖ה hagedulah HTd/Ncfsa this greatness the greatness 4
H1420-07 וּ/גְדוּלָּ֛ה ugedulah HC/Ncfsa and greatness and greatness 1
H1420-09 וְ֝/לִ/גְדֻלָּת֗/וֹ veligedulato HC/R/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and-to-greatness-his and to his greatness 1
H1420-10 ו/גדולתי/ך vgdvltykh HC/Ncfpc/Sp2ms of your greatness your greatnesses 1
H1420-02 גְּֽדֻלָּתִ֗/י gedulati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my greatness my greatness 1
H1420-08 וּ/גְדוּלָּתְ/ךָ֥ ugedulatekha HC/Ncfsc/Sp2ms your greatness your greatness 1
H1420-06 הַ/גְּדֻלּֽוֹת hagedulot HTd/Ncfpa these great things the greatnesses 1
H1420-03 גְּדוּלָּת֑/וֹ gedulato HNcfsc/Sp3ms of his greatness his greatness 1
H1420-01 גְּדֻלַּ֣ת gedulat HNcfsc of the greatness greatness of 1
H1420-04 גְּדֻלּ֣וֹת gedulot HNcfpa great greatnesses 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1420-05 2 Samuel 7:21 הַ/גְּדוּלָּ֖ה hagedulah HTd/Ncfsa this greatness the greatness
H1420-05 2 Samuel 7:23 הַ/גְּדוּלָּ֤ה hagedulah HTd/Ncfsa greatness the greatness
H1420-02 Psalms 71:21 גְּֽדֻלָּתִ֗/י gedulati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my greatness my greatness
H1420-09 Psalms 145:3 וְ֝/לִ/גְדֻלָּת֗/וֹ veligedulato HC/R/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and-to-greatness-his and to his greatness
H1420-10 Psalms 145:6 ו/גדולתי/ך vgdvltykh HC/Ncfpc/Sp2ms of your greatness your greatnesses
H1420-08 Psalms 145:6 וּ/גְדוּלָּתְ/ךָ֥ ugedulatekha HC/Ncfsc/Sp2ms your greatness your greatness
H1420-03 Esther 1:4 גְּדוּלָּת֑/וֹ gedulato HNcfsc/Sp3ms of his greatness his greatness
H1420-07 Esther 6:3 וּ/גְדוּלָּ֛ה ugedulah HC/Ncfsa and greatness and greatness
H1420-01 Esther 10:2 גְּדֻלַּ֣ת gedulat HNcfsc of the greatness greatness of
H1420-05 1 Chronicles 17:19 הַ/גְּדוּלָּ֖ה hagedulah HTd/Ncfsa this greatness the greatness
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