גָּלַשׁ (ga.lash)
ga.lash
to step down
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb galash appears only twice in the Old Testament, both within the poetic landscape of Song of Solomon. Its primary meaning is to sit or recline, but it carries a specific visual quality: the idea of settling down smoothly or sliding into place.
In these rare occurrences, the word describes the dark hair of the beloved woman. The text uses galash to compare her locks to a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead. This imagery suggests hair that flows in smooth, continuous waves, moving with a gentle, unified motion as if sliding down a slope.
While some sources suggest a broader sense of reclining, the biblical usage here is distinctively visual. It captures the aesthetic of beauty through movement and texture. The word does not describe static sitting but rather the graceful descent that creates a pleasing, flowing line.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word galash paints a picture of smooth, graceful movement. In the Song of Solomon, it describes hair sliding down like goats descending a mountain slope. This imagery celebrates natural beauty with warmth and appreciation. It reminds us that God values the details of our appearance, not just our inner character.
When we see this word, we are invited to notice how God uses creation to express affection. The gentle descent suggests harmony and flow, qualities that reflect peace in relationships. We can find comfort in knowing that beauty is seen and cherished by the Creator who made us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- that/ they have descended1×
- that/ <they> have descended1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֶׁ/גָּלְשׁ֖וּ2×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 4:1
Behold, you are beautiful, my love. Behold, you are beautiful. Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair is as a flock of goats, that descend from Mount Gilead.
This verse uses galash to describe hair descending from Mount Gilead, emphasizing the smooth, flowing motion that creates a visual parallel with goats moving down a slope.
-
Song of Solomon 6:5
Turn away your eyes from me, for they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats, that lie along the side of Gilead.
Here the same verb appears again, reinforcing the image of hair lying along the side of Gilead, which highlights the consistent poetic theme of graceful descent in these passages.