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גָּדַף

𐤂𐤃𐤐

gâdaph

H1442 verb

SILEX Entry

Root גּדף to insult, to abuse, to revile, to speak contemptuously

Definition

To insult, abuse, or speak with contempt against a person (especially a deity); to use abusive or insolent language, often in a way that disrespects or defames. In the context of actions toward the Israelite deity, commonly refers to blaspheming or openly speaking against the divine name, often with consequences considered severe in biblical law. The term may also denote scorn, derision, or overt defiance.

Semantic Range

to insult, to abuse verbally, to revile, to blaspheme (particularly against the divine), to reproach, to deride, to speak in open contempt or defiance

Root / Etymology

From the root גדף, reflecting the core sense of insult or derision. The actual lexical meaning refers specifically to verbal abuse or contemptuous speech, not merely general opposition or disagreement.

Historical & Contextual Notes

גָּדַף appears primarily in contexts where speech is directed against the Israelite deity or sacred matters, notably in legal texts (e.g., Leviticus 24:11, 24:16) prescribing punishment for blasphemy. Although sometimes rendered in later translations as 'blaspheme' or 'curse,' the focus is on speech of direct insult or violent disrespect rather than technical heresy. In non-divine contexts, the sense can broaden to verbal attacks or disparagement more generally (e.g., reproachful speech toward people or things regarded as sacred). Other Hebrew terms such as קלל (to curse) or חרף (to taunt or reproach) can overlap in meaning, but גָּדַף emphasizes the abusive and openly defiant character of the speech. In Second Temple and later periods, the term increasingly acquires the technical sense of 'blasphemy,' paralleling the narrowing of legal understanding around forbidden speech. English translations as 'blaspheme' can be overly narrow for pre-exilic texts, and the semantic field is broader, encompassing contempt, insult, and vilification.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to hack (with words), i.e. revile; blaspheme, reproach.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גדף (g-d-p) — insult, abuse verbally, revile, speak contemptuously

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1421 גִּדּוּף to revilings
H1422 גְּדוּפָה revilement

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1442-01 גִּדְּפ֛וּ gidefu HVpp3cp have blasphemed they have abusively reviled 3
H1442-04 וְ/גִדַּ֔פְתָּ vegidafeta HC/Vpp2ms and blasphemed you reviled 2
H1442-03 וּ/מְגַדֵּ֑ף umegadef HC/Vprmsa and the one who reviles and the reviling one 1
H1442-02 מְגַדֵּ֑ף megadef HVprmsa blasphemes one who reviles 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1442-02 Numbers 15:30 מְגַדֵּ֑ף megadef HVprmsa blasphemes one who reviles
H1442-01 2 Kings 19:6 גִּדְּפ֛וּ gidefu HVpp3cp have blasphemed they have abusively reviled
H1442-04 2 Kings 19:22 וְ/גִדַּ֔פְתָּ vegidafeta HC/Vpp2ms and blasphemed you reviled
H1442-01 Isaiah 37:6 גִּדְּפ֛וּ gidefu HVpp3cp have blasphemed they have abusively reviled
H1442-04 Isaiah 37:23 וְ/גִדַּ֔פְתָּ vegidafeta HC/Vpp2ms and blasphemed you reviled
H1442-01 Ezekiel 20:27 גִּדְּפ֤וּ gidefu HVpp3cp they blasphemed they have abusively reviled
H1442-03 Psalms 44:17 וּ/מְגַדֵּ֑ף umegadef HC/Vprmsa and the one who reviles and the reviling one
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