גְּדוּלָּה (ge.du.lah)
ge.du.lah
greatness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun gedulah signifies greatness, primarily describing the magnitude or excellence of a person. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears in eleven verses, with a notable concentration in I Chronicles and Esther. When applied to human figures, it highlights their prominent status, authority, or distinguished character within their community.
More frequently, however, the term describes God’s greatness as an inherent attribute. This usage emphasizes His supreme power, majesty, and exalted nature rather than physical size. The Psalms often employ this word to celebrate the vastness of divine glory, framing it as a central object of worship and reflection for the faithful.
Its root relates to being large or high, distinguishing it from words that might imply moral goodness alone. By focusing on scale and stature, gedulah conveys the overwhelming presence of God and the significant influence of righteous leaders, anchoring these concepts in tangible magnitude rather than abstract virtue.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word gedulah points to a magnitude that goes beyond simple size. It describes the impressive stature of God’s character and actions. When you read about His greatness, it is not just about power but about His unique relationship with His people. This concept invites us to look at history and see God’s hand in redeeming and guiding those who trust in Him.
In our daily lives, this word reminds us that our faith rests on a foundation far larger than our own circumstances. The Psalms use gedulah to celebrate that God’s nature is unsearchable and worthy of praise. This perspective helps us find comfort, knowing that the One who holds the universe together cares deeply about His people.
Reflecting on this greatness shifts our focus from our small struggles to the vastness of God’s faithfulness. It encourages a heart of worship that acknowledges His supreme authority and glory. We can rest in the knowledge that His purposes are established through His mighty acts, offering hope and stability to all who seek Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ greatness3×
- the/ greatness<es>1×
- greatness/ my1×
- greatness/ his1×
- great things1×
- and/ to/ greatness/ his1×
- and/ greatness/ your1×
- and/ greatness1×
- [the] greatness of1×
- <the>/ greatness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/גְּדוּלָּ֖ה2×
- וּ/גְדוּלָּתְ/ךָ֥1×
- וּ/גְדוּלָּ֛ה1×
- וְ֝/לִ/גְדֻלָּת֗/וֹ1×
- הַ/גְּדוּלָּ֤ה1×
- הַ/גְּדֻלּֽוֹת\׃1×
- הַ/גְּדֻלָּ֨ה1×
- גְּדוּלָּת֑/וֹ1×
- גְּדֻלַּ֣ת1×
- גְּדֻלּ֣וֹת1×
- גְּֽדֻלָּתִ֗/י1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 145:3
Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised! His greatness is unsearchable.
This verse declares that God's greatness is unsearchable, emphasizing the infinite depth of His nature beyond human comprehension.
-
I Chronicles 29:11
Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as head above all.
Here gedulah is paired with power and glory in a declaration of total ownership, highlighting God's supreme authority over all creation.
-
II Samuel 7:21
For your word’s sake, and according to your own heart, you have worked all this greatness, to make your servant know it.
The text attributes the fulfillment of God's promise to His own heart and word, showing that greatness stems from His faithful character.
-
Esther 10:2
Aren’t all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
This reference applies the term to Mordecai’s rise in status, illustrating how human authority can reflect a form of earthly distinction.