1536. gilgal
Lexical Summary
gilgal: wheel

Original Word: גִּלְגָּל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: gilgal
Pronunciation: gil-gawl'
Phonetic Spelling: (ghil-gawl')
NASB: wheel
Word Origin: [a variation of H1534 (גַּלגַּל - whirling wheels)]

1. wheel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
wheel

A variation of galgal -- wheel.

see HEBREW galgal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
var. of galgal
Definition
a wheel
NASB Translation
wheel (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. [גִּלְגָּל] noun [masculine] wheel (on formation compare BaNB 204) of cart, גִּלְגַּל עֶגְלָתוֺ Isaiah 28:28.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Imagery

גִּלְגָּל speaks of the circular threshing-wheel that was fixed beneath an ox-drawn cart. The wheel was heavy enough to separate husk from kernel yet light enough not to pulverize the grain. Within ancient Israelite agriculture it was an indispensable, ordinary tool; within Scripture it becomes a window into God’s extraordinary wisdom.

Context in Isaiah 28:28

“Grain for bread is crushed, but he does not thresh it endlessly. Though he drives the wheel of his cart over it, his horses do not crush it” (Isaiah 28:28). The prophet uses everyday husbandry to illustrate the LORD’s treatment of His covenant people. As the farmer understands precisely how long and how hard to drive the gilgal, so the LORD applies chastening only to the degree necessary to produce righteousness (Hebrews 12:10-11; Jeremiah 30:11).

Agricultural Practice and Biblical Theology

In ancient threshing floors the wheel was rolled repeatedly across sheaves spread on hard ground, breaking the outer chaff so that winnowing could follow. The picture reinforces several theological themes:
• Disciplinary severity without destruction (Psalm 118:18).
• Differentiation between worthless husk and useful kernel (Matthew 3:12).
• Aimed preparation for bread, a biblical symbol of sustenance and fellowship (John 6:35).

God’s Measured Discipline

Isaiah’s object lesson rebukes both careless optimism and despair. Israel feared annihilation from Assyria, while others mocked prophetic warnings. The gilgal demonstrates that divine judgment is purposeful, controlled, and proportionate. The same God who “does not crush forever” (Lamentations 3:31-32) will also not withhold necessary correction.

Prophetic Dimension

Situated within Isaiah’s “woes” (Isaiah 28–33), the image discloses how the LORD will deal with proud leaders (Isaiah 28:1-4) and yet preserve a remnant (Isaiah 28:5-6). The wheel moving across grain anticipates the exile’s refining effect and foreshadows eschatological purging that prepares for the Messianic kingdom (Isaiah 4:3-4; Malachi 3:2-3).

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Pastoral Care: Shepherds of God’s flock can reassure suffering believers that trials are neither arbitrary nor endless (1 Peter 1:6-7).
2. Church Discipline: Leaders are called to measured, restorative action, avoiding either neglect or excessive harshness (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).
3. Personal Sanctification: The image encourages believers to submit to God’s shaping process, trusting His timing and gentleness (James 1:2-4).

Christological Reflection

The threshing-wheel ultimately points to the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom judgment and mercy converge. At Calvary the righteous wrath of God fell with exact precision—enough to secure atonement, never crushing the grain of God’s elect (Isaiah 53:10-11; John 10:15). Post-resurrection, the risen Christ continues to purify His church (Revelation 1:12-15).

Related Biblical Motifs

• Sledge upon mountains (Isaiah 41:15) – stronger emphasis on breaking resistance.
• Potter’s wheel (Jeremiah 18:3-6) – creative shaping rather than separation.
• Millstone (Matthew 18:6) – judgment on those who cause others to stumble.

Together these motifs reveal varied facets of divine sovereignty: crushing evil, forming character, protecting the vulnerable.

Reflection for Modern Believers

The solitary occurrence of גִּלְגָּל underscores that a single, well-chosen image can illuminate vast theological terrain. Followers of Christ, aware that “the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11), are invited to rest under the wheel’s calibrated weight, confident that what emerges will be “grain for bread,” fit for the Master’s use and for the nourishment of many.

Forms and Transliterations
גִּלְגַּ֧ל גלגל gil·gal gilgal
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Isaiah 28:28
HEB: יְדוּשֶׁ֑נּוּ וְ֠הָמַם גִּלְגַּ֧ל עֶגְלָת֛וֹ וּפָרָשָׁ֖יו
NAS: it forever. Because the wheel of [his] cart
KJV: it, nor break [it with] the wheel of his cart,
INT: continue damage the wheel of cart and his horses

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1536
1 Occurrence


gil·gal — 1 Occ.

1535
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