Bible Word Study
גִּלָּיוֹן
gillâyôwn · a tablet for writing (as bare); by analogy, a mirror (as a plate)
גִּלָּיוֹן
a tablet for writing (as bare); by analogy, a mirror (as a plate)
Definition
The Hebrew word גִּלָּיוֹן (gillâyônn) refers to a smooth, polished surface used for writing or reflection. In Isaiah 8:1, it describes a large, smooth tablet suitable for public inscription, where God commands the prophet to write a message. In Isaiah 3:23, the word is used in the plural to denote 'mirrors,' listed among the luxurious items of the women of Jerusalem that will be taken away in judgment. Thus, the core meaning is a bare, flat plate, which could function as a writing surface or, when polished, as a reflective mirror.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 8:1, it is a 'large tablet' for a public prophetic sign. In Isaiah 3:23, it appears as 'mirrors' in a list of vain adornments. The usage shows a shift from a functional object for divine communication to a symbol of human vanity and luxury that is subject to God's judgment.
Etymology
Derived from the root גָּלָה (gālâ, H1540), meaning 'to uncover, reveal, or go into exile.' The noun form גִּלָּיוֹן carries the sense of something 'uncovered' or 'bare,' hence a smooth, exposed surface. This connection to revelation fits its use for a tablet bearing a revealed message and a mirror that reveals an image.
Semantic Range
This word connects the concepts of divine revelation and human vanity. The tablet in Isaiah 8:1 is a vehicle for God's revealed word concerning impending judgment. The mirrors in Isaiah 3:23 represent the self-focused adornment and pride of Judah that leads to their judgment. Understanding this word highlights how God uses ordinary objects for His purposes and how human luxury can become a spiritual distraction. In ancient Israel, writing tablets were often made of wood coated with wax or plaster, or stone slabs. Mirrors were typically made of polished bronze or copper. The inclusion of mirrors in a list of finery in Isaiah 3:23 indicates they were valuable personal items, symbols of status and beauty, contrasting with the humble, functional tablet used for prophecy. לוּחַ (lûaḥ, H3871) — a general term for a tablet or board, often of stone. מַרְאָה (mar'âh, H4759) — the more common word for 'mirror' or 'vision,' emphasizing sight.
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]