Lexical Summary Beth Haggilgal: House of the Gilgal Original Word: בֵּית הגִּלְגָּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Beth-gilgal From bayith and Gilgal with the article interposed; house of Gilgal (or rolling); Beth-hag-Gilgal, a place in Palestine -- Beth-gilgal. see HEBREW bayith see HEBREW Gilgal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bayith and Gilgal Definition "house of the Gilgal," a place in Pal. NASB Translation Beth-gilgal (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֵּית הַגִּלְגָּל proper name, of a location Nehemiah 12:29; compare גִּלְגָּל. Topical Lexicon Overview Beth-hagilgal (Strong’s Hebrew 1019) designates “the house of Gilgal.” Although this precise form does not surface in the canonical Hebrew text, it is firmly linked to the well-attested site of Gilgal, a strategic encampment on the eastern edge of the hill country of Ephraim near the Jordan River and Jericho. Its importance is derived from the cluster of salvation-history events and prophetic pronouncements centered on Gilgal. Meaning of the Name The compound name unites the covenantal idea of a “house” or established dwelling (beth) with Gilgal, the place where the “reproach of Egypt” was rolled away (Joshua 5:9). Thus the term evokes both permanence and redemptive memory—a location where Yahweh’s faithfulness was publicly enshrined. Location and Geography Archaeological proposals place Gilgal on the modern tell of Jiljilia or slightly farther southeast at Tell el-Kefrein. The site commanded the Jordan valley approaches, making it a natural military staging ground (Joshua 10:7) and a hub for covenant ceremonies. Any reference to Beth-hagilgal, therefore, implies a settled or institutional aspect of this same locale—perhaps a cultic quarter or administrative center adjoining the larger campsite. Connection with Gilgal in Scripture 1. Entry into the Land—Israel camped at Gilgal after crossing the Jordan (Joshua 4:19). Twelve memorial stones were erected there, testifying that “all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty” (Joshua 4:24). Beth-hagilgal, then, looks back to these foundational episodes and forward to prophetic calls for true devotion. Key Events Associated with Gilgal • Rolling Away of Reproach (Joshua 5:9)-The cutting of the flesh mirrored the cutting away of Egypt’s shame, prefiguring the New Covenant circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29). Prophetic Usage Hosea and Amos deliberately paired Gilgal with Bethel as monuments of degenerate worship. “Even if they offer sacrifices, Gilgal will surely go into exile” (Hosea 9:15). The prophets showed that lineage and liturgy are no shelter when covenant ethics are despised. Beth-hagilgal thus functions as a mirror: the very house founded on grace can become an indictment when grace is presumed upon. Theological and Ministry Themes 1. Memorializing God’s Works—Beth-hagilgal highlights the scriptural pattern of remembrance, calling believers to preserve testimonies of divine deliverance. Lessons for Personal and Corporate Faith • Cultivate tangible reminders of God’s past faithfulness; they fortify present obedience. Related Biblical References Joshua 4:19-24; Joshua 5:2-12; Joshua 10:6-15; Joshua 14:6-15; 1 Samuel 7:16; 1 Samuel 11:14-15; Hosea 4:15; Hosea 9:15; Amos 4:4; Amos 5:5; Micah 6:5. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance ’êl — 72 Occ.’ar·ḇêl — 1 Occ. mə·‘ō·wn — 2 Occ. bir·’î — 1 Occ. bā·rāh — 2 Occ. gā·ḏêr — 1 Occ. gā·mūl — 1 Occ. diḇ·lā·ṯā·yim — 1 Occ. dā·ḡō·wn — 2 Occ. hā·’ĕ·lî — 1 Occ. hay·ši·mōṯ — 4 Occ. hak·kā·rem — 1 Occ. hak·ke·rem — 1 Occ. hal·laḥ·mî — 4 Occ. ham·mer·ḥāq — 1 Occ. ham·mar·kā·ḇō·wṯ — 1 Occ. mar·kā·ḇō·wṯ — 1 Occ. hā·‘ê·meq — 1 Occ. hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh — 3 Occ. hā·rām — 1 Occ. |