גָּלַע
𐤂𐤋𐤏
gâlaʻ
H1566 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be hard, obstinate, stubborn, or unyielding; in some contexts, to act obstinately or presumptuously through persistent opposition, or to intermeddle and provoke. The verb describes a quality of stubborn persistence, often in a negative sense, and may extend to the act of resisting or defying authority or established order.
Semantic Range
to be obstinate, to be stubborn, to act presumptuously, to intermeddle or provoke, to persist in resistance or defiance, to act disruptively
Root / Etymology
Root: גלע. The root's core idea is of being hard or tough. The verb גָּלַע likely derives from a basic sense of 'hardening,' with development toward steadfastness, but overwhelmingly used for negative stubbornness or obstinacy. This verb is not to be confused with others of similar form relating to 'uncovering' (גָּלָה) or 'heap, cairn' (גַּל).
Historical & Contextual Notes
גָּלַע is rare in biblical usage, appearing primarily in contexts emphasizing an individual or group's obstinate or meddlesome behavior, particularly in defiance of authority or social norms. Its occurrence is mainly post-patriarchal, and its negative evaluative sense marks it as distinct from other words for 'strength' or 'courage.' The word is not common to early Israelite literature and appears predominantly in late pre-exilic or exilic contexts, where rigid resistance against divinely or socially established order is highlighted. English translations may struggle to capture its nuance, often rendering it as 'obstinate,' 'presumptuous,' or 'meddlesome,' but its connotation can shade from stubbornness to active disruptive behavior. Not to be confused with גָּלָה ('to uncover') or גַּל ('heap, mound').
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be obstinate; (inter-) meddle (with).
Bantu Hebrew
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גלע (g-l-ʿ) — hardness, toughness, obstinacy, stubborn persistence
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1566-02 |
יִתְגַּלָּֽע | yitegala | HVti3ms |
intermeddles | he will harden himself | 2 |
H1566-01 |
הִ֝תְגַּלַּ֗ע | hitegala | HVtp3ms |
it breaks out | he showed himself obstinate | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1566-01 |
Proverbs 17:14 | הִ֝תְגַּלַּ֗ע | hitegala | HVtp3ms |
it breaks out | he showed himself obstinate |
H1566-02 |
Proverbs 18:1 | יִתְגַּלָּֽע | yitegala | HVti3ms |
intermeddles | he will harden himself |
H1566-02 |
Proverbs 20:3 | יִתְגַּלָּֽע | yitegala | HVti3ms |
will quarrel | he will harden himself |