גְּדִלִים (ge.dil)
ge.dil
tassel
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word gedilim refers to twisted threads that form tassels or decorative festoons. In the context of clothing, these are the fringes attached to the corners of garments, a practice explicitly commanded in Deuteronomy 22:12. The term highlights the physical construction of these items, emphasizing the twisting process used to create durable and visible borders.
Beyond personal attire, gedilim also describes ornamental carvings or twisted patterns found on architectural elements, such as the capitals of columns in the temple described in 1 Kings 7:17. This dual usage shows how the same concept of twisted decoration applied to both daily wear and sacred structures. The word underscores a cultural emphasis on visible markers of identity and holiness woven into the fabric of life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word gedilim describes twisted threads or fringes attached to the corners of garments. In Deuteronomy, God commands the Israelites to make these tassels as a visible reminder of His laws. This practice turned everyday clothing into a tool for spiritual mindfulness, helping people remember their covenant relationship with Him throughout daily life.
Interestingly, the same word appears in descriptions of Solomon’s temple architecture. There, twisted patterns adorned the pillars, connecting the physical structure to sacred symbolism. This shows how God values both personal devotion and communal worship, using tangible objects to point toward deeper spiritual truths about identity and holiness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tassels1×
- festoons1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גְּדִלִים֙1×
- גְּדִלִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 22:12
You shall make yourselves fringes on the four corners of your cloak with which you cover yourself.
This verse establishes the primary religious function of gedilim as a personal reminder for Israelites to obey God's commandments.
-
I Kings 7:17
There were nets of checker work and wreaths of chain work for the capitals which were on the top of the pillars: seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital.
Here the term shifts from clothing to temple architecture, showing how twisted decorative elements marked sacred spaces with divine order.