גָּלָל (ga.lal)
ga.lal
dung
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun galal refers to excrement or waste matter. In the Old Testament, it appears only twice, serving as a stark symbol of humiliation and divine judgment. Its presence in the text is not merely descriptive but carries heavy theological weight, marking the total degradation of a person or dynasty.
This term surfaces in 1 Kings 14:10, where the prophet Ahijah pronounces God’s judgment on the house of Jeroboam. The decree states that those belonging to Jeroboam who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the field will be consumed by birds. In this context, galal underscores the complete removal of honor and dignity from the royal line.
While the word is rare, its impact is significant. It illustrates how biblical language uses physical reality to convey spiritual truths. The association with waste highlights the severity of covenant betrayal. Translators consistently render it as "dung" or "excrement," preserving the rawness of the original warning against idolatry and rebellion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word galal appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, carrying a heavy weight of shame and loss. In ancient Israel, being reduced to waste was the ultimate sign of dishonor, stripping away any dignity or social standing. It serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of turning away from God’s covenant.
While this imagery can feel harsh, it highlights the depth of God’s holiness and His desire for faithful relationship. The text uses such strong language to show how idolatry degrades the soul and community. Yet, understanding this severity helps us appreciate the grace that offers restoration instead of ruin.
This word invites us to reflect on what we value. It reminds us that true honor comes from walking with God, not from worldly status. May you find comfort in knowing that God’s love seeks to restore dignity, even when our actions lead us into darkness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like <the>/ dung<s>1×
- <the>/ dung1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כַּ/גְּלָלִֽים\׃1×
- הַ/גָּלָ֖ל1×
Key Verses
-
Zephaniah 1:17
I will bring such distress on men that they will walk like blind men because they have sinned against Yahweh. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
Here the word illustrates the physical degradation of people during divine distress, showing how sin leads to a loss of human dignity and vitality.