גְּדִל
thread, i.e. a tassel or festoon
Definition
The Hebrew noun גְּדִל (gᵉdil) refers to a twisted or braided thread, specifically a tassel or festoon. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes a decorative element: in Deuteronomy 22:12, it is a 'tassel' (צִיצִת, *tzitzit*) on the four corners of a garment, serving as a visual reminder of God's commandments. In 1 Kings 7:17, it describes the 'festoons' or 'wreaths' of chainwork that were part of the ornate capitals on the pillars (Jachin and Boaz) at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. Thus, the word encompasses both a functional, covenantal marker on clothing and an architectural ornament.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, in two distinct contexts. In Deuteronomy 22:12, it is used in a legal and religious instruction for all Israelites to make tassels (גְּדִלִים, *gᵉdilim*) on their garments. In 1 Kings 7:17 (and referenced in the parallel description in 2 Chronicles 3:16 and 4:12-13), it is used in a detailed architectural description of the lavish decorations in Solomon's Temple, specifying the 'network' or 'festoons' of chainwork on the pillar capitals.
Etymology
Derived from the root גָּדַל (gādal, H1431), which means 'to be great' or 'to grow.' In this specific derivation, the sense shifts to the action of 'twisting' or 'plaiting'—an act that makes a cord or thread larger and stronger. Thus, a גְּדִל is something that is 'made great' or built up by twisting threads together.
Semantic Range
This word connects the mundane act of dressing with Israel's covenantal identity (Deuteronomy 22:12). The tassels were a physical, daily reminder to obey God's laws, making holiness tangible. In the temple context (1 Kings 7:17), the same word describes beauty dedicated to God, showing that artistry and craftsmanship in worship spaces matter. Understanding this term enriches reading by linking personal piety (the tassel) with corporate worship (the temple ornament).
In ancient Israel, the tassel (גְּדִל) on a garment was not merely decorative but carried religious and social significance. It was a public identifier of an Israelite, a constant visual prompt to live according to God's commandments. The temple festoons reflected Phoenician and broader ancient Near Eastern artistic influences, where intricate chainwork symbolized strength, unity, and divine splendor in sacred architecture.
צִיצִת (tzitzit, H6734) — The more specific term for the ritual fringes or tassels commanded in Numbers 15:38-39 and Deuteronomy 22:12; a גְּדִל could be a component of the צִיצִת. פְּתִיל (pᵉthil, H6616) — A general term for a thread or cord, but without the specific connotation of being twisted into a tassel or festoon.
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.
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