גְלִילָה (ge.li.lah)
ge.li.lah
border
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun gelilah denotes a circuit, boundary, or defined territory. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only three times, primarily within the book of Joshua to describe geographical regions. The term captures the idea of an area enclosed by borders or a district marked out for specific purposes.
Its most significant usage identifies the region of Galilee, specifically the circuit of towns surrounding Kedesh in Naphtali. This territory is historically notable as the location where King Solomon assigned twenty towns to Hiram, king of Tyre, as payment for timber supplied for the temple construction. The word thus anchors a specific historical and political boundary in the narrative.
Etymologically, gelilah relates to the concept of going around or encompassing. By focusing on this root sense, the term emphasizes the distinct limits of the land rather than just its general location. It serves as a precise geographical marker for the area given to Hiram, highlighting the tangible exchange between Israel and Tyre during Solomon’s reign.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gelilah points to a clear boundary or circuit. In Scripture, it marks the edges of land given to tribes or nations. This helps us see how God organized the world with specific limits and purposes.
When we read about these borders, we are reminded that our lives also have seasons and places defined by God’s will. Just as the land was marked out, our paths are guided by His wisdom. We find comfort in knowing He sets boundaries for our protection and growth.
Even when life feels uncertain, we can trust that God is faithful to His promises. He defines our steps and provides for us within the limits He has set. This brings peace to our hearts as we walk in His ways.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Geliloth of2×
- [the] territories of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גְּלִילוֹת֙1×
- גְּלִיל֥וֹת1×
- גְּלִיל֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 22:11
The children of Israel heard this, “Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar along the border of the land of Canaan, in the region around the Jordan, on the side that belongs to the children of Israel.”
This verse uses gelilah to describe the border of Canaan, highlighting the tension between the tribes on both sides of the Jordan and emphasizing how physical boundaries can become points of spiritual misunderstanding.
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Joshua 13:2
“This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites;
Here the term refers to the remaining regions yet to be fully possessed, showing that God’s promises often unfold over time within defined geographical areas.
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Joshua 22:10
When they came to the region near the Jordan, that is in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a great altar to look at.
Although this verse describes the location of the altar near the Jordan, it sets the stage for the border dispute in the next verse, illustrating how proximity to a boundary can lead to significant community conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does gelilah mean in the Bible?
Why is gelilah important in Joshua 22?
How is gelilah different from other words for land?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Joshua 3 verses
“This is the land that still remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all the Geshurites;
Joshua 22:10When they came to the region near the Jordan, that is in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of…
Joshua 22:11The children of Israel heard this, “Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half-tribe of…