בֵּית הַגִּלְגָּל (bet hag.gil.gal)
bet hag.gil.gal
Beth-gilgal
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The phrase bet hag-gilgal, meaning "house of the wheel," appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Nehemiah 12:29. It identifies a specific location where singers and musicians joined the procession re-dedicating Jerusalem’s walls. The name suggests a place marked by a circular arrangement of stones or perhaps a ritual object, linking it to the broader tradition of Gilgal sites associated with Israel’s worship.
While the primary Gilgal is famous as the camp where Israel first settled in Canaan after crossing the Jordan, this "Beth-gilgal" likely refers to a northern sanctuary. Scholars note that Gilgal was not just one place but a network of holy sites used by prophets and priests throughout the northern kingdom. This particular site served as a gathering point for temple personnel during the post-exilic restoration.
The term highlights how physical landmarks anchored religious identity in ancient Israel. By naming this location, Nehemiah connects the restored community to its deep historical roots. The "wheel" or circle imagery may evoke the cyclical nature of worship or a sacred stone monument, reminding readers that their faith was lived out in real, tangible places across the land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Beth-gilgal means "house of the wheel," appearing only once in Nehemiah 12:29. It marks a place where singers joined the procession to dedicate Jerusalem’s walls. This detail shows how physical locations anchored religious identity for the returned exiles.
Worship was not abstract but lived out in real, tangible places across the land. The community gathered at specific sites to reconnect with their history and restore their faith together. These landmarks served as reminders of God's faithfulness through generations.
Today, we too find meaning in gathering together for worship. Whether in a historic building or a simple room, these spaces help us connect with the broader story of God’s people. They remind us that our faith is part of something larger than ourselves—a continuous thread of devotion across time and place.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ from/ Beth1×
- <of the>/ Gilgal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/מִ/בֵּית֙1×
- הַ/גִּלְגָּ֔ל1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 12:29
also from Beth Gilgal and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem.
This verse identifies Beth-gilgal as a source of singers for the wall dedication, showing how specific locations contributed to the community's worship restoration.