אֶלְגָּבִישׁ
𐤀𐤋𐤂𐤁𐤉𐤔
ʼelgâbîysh
H417 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A precious stone or gem, possibly referring to crystal, or in poetic or visionary contexts, large or hailstone-like gems or crystalline substances. Used figuratively or descriptively for attributes of brilliance, purity, or value. The precise mineral identification is uncertain, and in some contexts it may denote large stones or hailstones due to its root association with 'hail.'
Semantic Range
crystal, precious stone, gem, hailstone, large hail; used poetically for brilliance or purity; possibly figurative for something valuable or destructive depending on context
Root / Etymology
Compound word, likely formed from גָּבִישׁ (gāvîsh, root גבש, 'hailstone, crystal, ice') with a prefixed אֵל (ʼel), possibly as an intensifier or denoting 'large' or 'great.' The etymology is somewhat uncertain and debated: some suggest a fusion for descriptive emphasis rather than a compound with specific semantic content beyond 'large crystal/gem/hailstone.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Appears in poetic and visionary biblical passages (Job 28:18, Ezekiel 13:11, 13:13, 38:22). In Job 28:18, it is paralleled with precious stones, pointing toward the meaning 'gem' or 'crystal.' In Ezekiel, it appears in the context of hail or crystalline hailstones, likely chosen for poetic force or allusion to brilliance and destructive power. English translations struggle to capture these nuances, often settling for 'pearl,' 'crystal,' or 'hailstone,' each of which only partially conveys the original sense. Standard renderings in English (e.g., 'precious stone,' 'crystal,' 'hailstone') may narrow the meaning or lose the poetic resonance evoked in context. The term is rare and its exact mineralogical identification is uncertain, with ancient translators (Septuagint, Vulgate) also disagreeing.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אֵל and גָּבִישׁ; hail (as if a great pearl); great hail(-stones).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גבש (g-b-sh) — to freeze, coagulate, form into lumps or hailstones
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H417-01 |
אֶלְגָּבִישׁ֙ | elegavish | HNcmsa |
hail | great crystal | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H417-01 |
Ezekiel 13:11 | אֶלְגָּבִישׁ֙ | elegavish | HNcmsa |
hail | great crystal |
H417-01 |
Ezekiel 13:13 | אֶלְגָּבִ֖ישׁ | elegavish | HNcmsa |
hail | great crystal |
H417-01 |
Ezekiel 38:22 | אֶלְגָּבִ֜ישׁ | elegavish | HNcmsa |
hail | great crystal |