Lexical Summary goel: Redeemer, Kinsman-Redeemer, Avenger Original Word: גֹּאֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance defile From ga'al; profanation -- defile. see HEBREW ga'al NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gaal Definition defiling, defilement NASB Translation defiled (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [גֹּ֫אֶל] noun [masculine] defiling, defilement, גָָּֽאֳלֵי הַכְּהֻנָּה Nehemiah 13:29. Topical Lexicon Semantic Scope and Nuance גֹּאֶל (Strong’s 1352) describes the act of rendering something loathsome, polluted, or ceremonially unacceptable. While the Hebrew canon contains several verbs for “defile,” this root places emphasis on the moral offense of contaminating that which God has declared holy, especially covenantal institutions such as the priesthood. Canonical Context Nehemiah 13:29 supplies the single canonical occurrence. Having discovered that Eliashib the priest had given Tobiah the Ammonite a chamber in the temple courts, Nehemiah prays, “Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites” (Berean Standard Bible). The verse links גֹּאֶל with covenant violation, underscoring that unholy alliances defile not only space but also sacred office. Historical Background Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem in the mid-fifth century B.C. to rebuild walls and restore worship. The community’s survival depended on clear boundaries between holy and profane. Intermarriage with pagan nations, commercial activity on the Sabbath, and misuse of temple chambers jeopardized Israel’s identity as “a kingdom of priests” (Exodus 19:6). גֹּאֶל captures the gravity of threatening that identity: impurity of leaders would inevitably seep into the life of the people and invite covenantal sanctions. Theological Themes 1. Holiness of the Priesthood – The priesthood existed to mediate between God and His people. To pollute that office was to obscure the picture of divine holiness that Israel was called to reflect (Leviticus 10:3). Contrast with Redemption A striking lexical irony emerges: the verb for “defile” (גָּאַל, Strong’s 1351-1352) sounds identical to the verb “redeem” (גָּאַל, Strong’s 1350). Scripture thus places the covenant people before two diametrically opposed possibilities: defilement or redemption. The same covenant framework that can be polluted also provides the means for cleansing through sacrifice, atonement, and ultimately the Messiah’s redemptive work. Christological Foreshadowing The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the flawless High Priest (Hebrews 7:26-27), whose incorruptibility answers Nehemiah’s concern. Where Israel’s priests could be defiled, the Son “has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). His purity secures a final, undefilable priesthood, fulfilling the hope implicit in Nehemiah’s prayer for covenant faithfulness. Ministry Implications • Guarding Spiritual Leadership – Churches must ensure that those in leadership meet biblical qualifications (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). Moral compromise in leaders pollutes the witness of the gospel community. Pastoral Application The lone appearance of גֹּאֶל in the Old Testament serves as a solemn reminder: holy callings can be defiled quickly, yet God hears the cries of those who seek renewed purity. In every generation, the church must vigilantly preserve the sanctity of worship, office, and doctrine, trusting the ultimate High Priest who alone guarantees an undefiled covenant people (Revelation 1:5-6). Forms and Transliterations גָּאֳלֵ֣י גאלי gā’olê gā·’o·lê gooLeiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 13:29 HEB: אֱלֹהָ֑י עַ֚ל גָּאֳלֵ֣י הַכְּהֻנָּ֔ה וּבְרִ֥ית NAS: because they have defiled the priesthood KJV: them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, INT: my God because have defiled the priesthood and the covenant 1 Occurrence |
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