הֶגְלָם (ga.lah)
ga.lah
Heglam
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 147 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The name Heglam, appearing in the genealogies of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles 8:7, carries the meaning of "removed" or "deported." It serves as an alternative name for Gera and identifies a specific ancestor within the tribal lineage that predates the Israelite monarchy. The name derives from the Hebrew root galah, which fundamentally means to uncover or strip bare.
This root verb is used in Scripture with two distinct but related senses. In its literal sense, it describes the physical act of exposing nakedness or removing a veil. More significantly, it refers to the historical experience of exile, where captives were stripped and carried away from their land. This dual meaning connects personal exposure with national displacement.
The theological weight of the word lies in this connection between shame and removal. While the root often describes the disgrace of captivity, it also appears in contexts of divine revelation, where God uncovers truth or makes Himself known. The name Heglam thus stands as a linguistic marker of both loss and the potential for disclosure within the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Heglam appears in the genealogies of Benjamin in 1 Chronicles 8:7. It means removed or deported. This name connects to a Hebrew root that describes uncovering or stripping bare. In Scripture, this word carries a dual meaning. It can refer to physical exposure or shame. It also describes the historical experience of exile where people were stripped and carried away from their land.
This connection between loss and disclosure offers a quiet hope. While the root often speaks of disgrace, it also appears when God reveals truth or makes Himself known. The name Heglam stands as a marker of both pain and potential revelation. It reminds us that even in seasons of displacement, God remains present to uncover what is hidden.
Your faith does not require you to have all the answers right now. The biblical narrative shows that exposure can lead to understanding. You are held by a God who sees through the veil of confusion. Trust that He is working out His purposes even when life feels stripped away or uncertain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 147 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will uncover14×
- he took into exile6×
- he has uncovered5×
- he had taken into exile5×
- and/ he took into exile5×
- to/ uncover4×
- it will go into exile4×
- you have uncovered3×
- uncover3×
- it has gone into exile3×
- certainly <go into exile>3×
- and/ it went into exile3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְגַלֵּ֑ה9×
- תְגַלֶּ֖ה5×
- יִגְלֶ֖ה3×
- הֶגְלָ֔ה3×
- גָּלָ֥ה3×
- גִּלָּ֖ה3×
- לְ/גַלּ֣וֹת2×
- וּ/גְל֥וּי2×
- וַ/יֶּ֥גֶל2×
- וַ/יִּ֥גֶל2×
- הֶגְלָ֛ה2×
- הֶגְלָ֕ה2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 9:21
He drank of the wine and got drunk. He was uncovered within his tent.
The root verb here describes Noah being uncovered in his tent, illustrating the literal sense of exposure and vulnerability.
-
Leviticus 18:6
“‘None of you shall approach any close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am Yahweh.
This command prohibits approaching close relatives to uncover their nakedness, highlighting the serious ethical boundaries associated with the root.
-
Numbers 22:31
Then Yahweh opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.
Here Yahweh opens Balaam's eyes, showing the positive aspect of the root where God uncovers spiritual reality to reveal His angel.