גָּלוּת
captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively)
Definition
The noun גָּלוּת (gâlûwth) primarily refers to the state of being taken captive or exiled from one's homeland. It denotes the condition of forced removal and displacement, as seen when King Jehoiachin is released from prison in the land of his captivity (2 Kings 25:27). More concretely, it can refer to the group of people who are in exile—the exiles themselves as a collective body (Jeremiah 24:5, 29:22). In prophetic literature, such as Isaiah 45:13, the term is used in the context of God's sovereign action to end the exile and restore his people.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the context of the Babylonian exile, appearing in historical books (2 Kings) and the prophetic writings of Isaiah and Jeremiah. It describes both the abstract state of captivity and the concrete community of displaced people. For example, it refers to the 'good figs' symbolizing the exiles whom God regards favorably (Jeremiah 24:5) and is used in the phrase 'to bring back the captivity,' a prophetic idiom for restoration (Jeremiah 28:4).
Etymology
Derived from the root גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540), meaning 'to uncover, remove, go into exile.' גָּלוּת is the feminine noun form, concretizing the abstract action of the verb into the state or condition of exile. Related nouns include גּוֹלָה (gôlâh, H1473), which is a near synonym also meaning 'exile, captivity.'
Semantic Range
This word is central to understanding the judgment and hope presented in the Old Testament. גָּלוּת represents the direct consequence of Israel's covenant disobedience, as God uses foreign nations to enact judgment by removing them from the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 28:36-37). Yet, it also becomes a setting for God's faithfulness, promise, and future restoration. Prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah frame the exile not as God's abandonment, but as a disciplinary period with a promised end (Jeremiah 29:10-14, Isaiah 45:13). Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting the tension between divine justice and mercy, and the hope of return is a precursor to New Testament themes of spiritual redemption and homecoming.
In the ancient Near East, deportation was a standard military and political tactic used by empires like Assyria and Babylon to subdue conquered nations. It aimed to break national identity, prevent rebellion, and assimilate skilled populations. For Israel and Judah, גָּלוּת was not just a political event but a deeply theological and traumatic crisis. It meant removal from the land given by covenant, separation from the Jerusalem temple, and a profound challenge to their identity as God's chosen people. This context makes the prophetic promises of return all the more powerful.
גּוֹלָה (gôlâh, H1473) — A nearly identical synonym also meaning 'exile' or 'captives,' often used interchangeably. שְׁבִי (shebî, H7628) — More general term for 'captivity' or 'captives,' often focusing on the prisoners of war themselves.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →