גָּדוֹל

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Definition

The Hebrew word גָּדוֹל (gadol) primarily means 'great' and encompasses a wide range of senses, including physical size, magnitude, importance, intensity, and age. It describes God's greatness in creation (Genesis 1:16, the 'greater' light), His mighty acts (Exodus 14:31), and His supreme name (Psalm 76:1). The word can denote social or political importance, as in a 'great nation' (Genesis 12:2), or advanced age, as in an 'older' son (Genesis 10:21). In a negative sense, it can imply arrogance or 'insolent' pride (Proverbs 21:24).

Biblical Usage

גָּדוֹל is used 497 times across all genres of the Old Testament. It frequently describes God's attributes and actions (e.g., 'great power' in Jeremiah 32:17), significant events like the 'great cry' in Egypt (Exodus 11:6), and important people or nations. In narrative and poetic books, it emphasizes magnitude and intensity. A pattern emerges where physical greatness often points to metaphorical or theological significance, such as the 'great city' of Nineveh in Jonah 1:2 representing both its size and its importance in God's prophetic message.

Etymology

Derived from the root גָּדַל (gadal, H1431), meaning 'to grow up, become great, or magnify.' This root conveys the core idea of increasing in size, status, or importance. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages (e.g., Aramaic, Arabic) with similar meanings. The adjective גָּדוֹל represents the state or quality achieved through this process of growth or magnification.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically central for understanding God's nature as the 'great' King (Psalm 48:1) and the supreme object of praise (Psalm 145:3). It frames key biblical themes: God's great love (Deuteronomy 7:8), great salvation (Isaiah 63:1), and the great day of the Lord (Joel 2:11). Understanding its range—from physical size to supreme importance—enriches reading by showing how biblical descriptions of greatness ultimately point to God's absolute supremacy and the serious consequences of human arrogance opposed to Him.

In ancient Israelite culture, 'greatness' was a holistic concept combining physical might, social honor, abundant wealth, and advanced age. A 'great' person was often a patriarch, elder, or warrior-leader. The term's application to cities (e.g., Genesis 10:12) reflected their power and influence, not just population. The potential negative connotation of 'insolent' highlights the cultural value of humility before God and the danger of self-magnification.

רַב (rab, H7227) — emphasizes multitude, abundance, or many in number. עָצוּם (atsum, H6099) — emphasizes mighty, powerful, or vast strength. נִכְבָּד (nikbad, H3513) — emphasizes weighty, glorious, or honorable.

Word Details

Scripture References