גַּלְעֵד (gal.ed)
gal.ed
Galeed
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun gal.ed translates literally as "witness heap," referring to a pile of stones erected by Jacob and Laban to mark their covenant (Genesis 31:47). This boundary served as a permanent, physical reminder that neither side would cross over to harm the other. The name itself functions as a testimony, ensuring that future generations would remember the agreement made between the two patriarchs.
Laban named the site Gal-ed in Aramaic, while Jacob called it Galeed in Hebrew, both meanings identical. This dual naming highlights the mutual nature of the treaty, bridging the linguistic gap between the two men. The heap stood as a silent but powerful witness to their separation and peace, located on Mount Gilead, which later became known by this name.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Galeed means "witness heap." It comes from a story where Jacob and Laban built a pile of stones to mark their agreement. This simple act created a lasting reminder of peace between two families who had been in conflict. The stones stood as a silent witness to their promise not to harm each other.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God values clear boundaries and honest relationships. When we make promises or seek reconciliation, we can look to Galeed as an example of how physical acts can seal spiritual commitments. It shows that peace requires effort and tangible signs to endure over time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Galeed2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גַּלְעֵֽד\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 31:47
Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
This verse highlights the dual naming in Aramaic and Hebrew, showing how the witness transcended language barriers to unite both parties.
-
Genesis 31:48
Laban said, “This heap is witness between me and you today.” Therefore it was named Galeed
Here Laban explicitly states the heap's purpose as a witness between them, confirming the stone pile's role in sealing their covenant.