גֹּ֫דֶל (go.del)
go.del
greatness
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun go.del signifies greatness, encompassing both physical magnitude and abstract majesty. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes the imposing scale of natural features or human achievements, such as the vastness of the wilderness or the splendor of a king’s court. The word carries a neutral to positive tone when referring to power, size, or glory, highlighting the impressive nature of what is being described.
However, the term also holds a distinct negative nuance, where greatness devolves into pride or insolence. This shift occurs when human ambition oversteps its bounds, turning strength into arrogance. The sources note this dual usage, showing that go.del can celebrate God’s magnificent works while simultaneously condemning the haughty attitude of those who rely on their own power rather than humility.
Its occurrence in books like Deuteronomy and Psalms reflects this balance. In Deuteronomy, it often marks the sheer scale of Israel’s encounters with divine power or enemy forces. In the Psalms, it praises the magnitude of God’s deeds. The word reminds readers that true greatness is rooted in reverence, not self-exaltation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word go.del captures a sense of magnitude that goes beyond simple size. It describes the overwhelming scale of God’s actions, from the mighty hand that led Israel out of Egypt to the glorious presence heard in the fire on Sinai. When we encounter this greatness, our natural response is awe. It reminds us that the Creator is vastly larger than our daily struggles, offering a perspective that steadies the heart when circumstances feel too heavy to bear alone.
Yet this word carries a gentle warning as well. In Isaiah 10:12, the same term describes the arrogant pride of the king of Assyria, showing how human strength can twist into insolence when detached from reverence. True greatness is not found in self-exaltation but in recognizing who holds all power. We are invited to rest in the knowledge that God’s magnitude is always directed toward redemption and justice, never toward crushing those who seek Him with humble hearts.
This balance helps us navigate our own ambitions. When we feel small, we look up to His excellent greatness for comfort. When we feel strong, we look down to remember that all authority comes from Him. The Psalms encourage us to praise Him not just for what He does, but for who He is—a God whose nature invites trust rather than fear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- greatness/ his3×
- according to/ [the] greatness of2×
- greatness/ your1×
- greatness1×
- by/ greatness/ your1×
- [the] greatness of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּ/גֹ֥דֶל1×
- כְּ/גֹ֣דֶל1×
- גֻּדְלֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- גָּדְלְ/ךָ֔1×
- גָּדְל֕/וֹ1×
- גָּדְל֔/וֹ1×
- גֹ֙דֶל֙1×
- גֹ֖דֶל1×
- בְּ/גָדְלֶ֑/ךָ1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 32:3
For I will proclaim Yahweh’s name. Ascribe greatness to our God!
This verse commands the community to actively ascribe greatness to God, framing it as an act of worship that acknowledges His supreme nature.
-
Isaiah 10:12
Therefore it will happen that when the Lord has performed his whole work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the willful proud heart of the king of Assyria, and the insolence of his arrogant looks.
Here the word shifts to describe the insolence of the king of Assyria, illustrating how human power becomes destructive when it replaces humility with pride.
-
Psalms 150:2
Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
The psalmist links praise directly to God's excellent greatness, suggesting that our worship should be proportional to the magnitude of His mighty acts.