Bible Word Study
גִּדֵּל
Giddêl · Giddel, the name of one of the Nethinim, also of one of 'Solomon's servants'
גִּדֵּל
Giddel, the name of one of the Nethinim, also of one of 'Solomon's servants'
Definition
Giddel is a proper name given to two distinct individuals in the post-exilic biblical record. Primarily, it refers to a member of the Nethinim (temple servants), whose descendants returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:47, Nehemiah 7:49). Secondarily, it identifies a member of the group known as 'Solomon's servants,' whose descendants also returned from exile (Ezra 2:56, Nehemiah 7:58). The name signifies a person of notable stature or greatness, reflecting its etymological meaning.
Biblical Usage
The name Giddel appears exclusively in the post-exilic books of Ezra and Nehemiah, specifically within the census lists of those who returned from Babylonian captivity. It is used in two parallel lists (Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7) to identify heads of family groups among the temple servants (Nethinim) and 'Solomon's servants.' All four occurrences (Ezra 2:47, 2:56; Nehemiah 7:49, 7:58) are in this administrative, genealogical context, highlighting the restoration of the worship community.
Etymology
Giddel (גִּדֵּל) is derived from the Hebrew root גָּדַל (gādal, H1431), meaning 'to grow,' 'to become great,' or 'to magnify.' It is a participial form meaning 'one who is great' or 'stout.' The name is thus a descriptor, likely indicating the individual's physical stature, social importance, or the hope for their significance.
Semantic Range
While a personal name, Giddel's inclusion in the restoration lists underscores the biblical theme of God's faithfulness in preserving His people and re-establishing worship. The meticulous recording of even temple servants' names (like Giddel) in Ezra and Nehemiah affirms that every individual has a role in God's redemptive community. It highlights the value of humble service in the temple system, which prefigures the service of all believers in the New Covenant. In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried descriptive or aspirational meaning. 'Giddel' ('great one') likely denoted a person of notable physical presence or respected status. His classification among the Nethinim (a hereditary class of temple assistants) and 'Solomon's servants' (likely another class of temple workers) places him within the vital, though subordinate, workforce responsible for the practical maintenance of worship, emphasizing the community's organized effort to restore the temple. Gaddi (גַּדִּי, H1426) — Another name derived from the same root (gādal), meaning 'my fortune' or possibly 'fortunate.'
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]