Lexical Summary gilgal: wheel Original Word: גִּלְגָּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wheel A variation of galgal -- wheel. see HEBREW galgal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originvar. 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: 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). 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. 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 gilgalLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 |
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