Lexical Summary galal: dung Original Word: גָּלָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dung From galal; dung (as in balls) -- dung. see HEBREW galal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom galal Definition dung NASB Translation dung (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. גָּלָל noun [masculine] dung (Arabic  ), ׳הַגּ 1 Kings 14:10. — See also [גֵּל]. above Topical Lexicon Root Imagery and Semantic Range The term points to animal or human excrement—matter that must be discarded outside the camp (compare Deuteronomy 23:12-14). Scripture employs this imagery to express utter worthlessness and total removal. It is never a neutral description; it is an emblem of what is offensive before a holy God. Immediate Biblical Context (1 Kings 14:10) “Therefore behold, I will bring disaster upon the house of Jeroboam; I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free in Israel, and I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone.” (Berean Standard Bible) Spoken through the prophet Ahijah, the announcement exposes the depth of Jeroboam’s apostasy. The house that introduced golden-calf worship (1 Kings 12:28-30) would be treated like refuse—collected, burned, and erased. The graphic wording underscores four truths: 1. Divine judgment is personal (“house of Jeroboam”). Symbolism of Dung in the Wider Old Testament Other writers use similar imagery: Each text couples moral corruption with physical uncleanness, portraying sin’s final degradation when God’s patience ends. Historical and Cultural Background Burning refuse was common in ancient Israel, eliminating stench and disease. By comparing a royal dynasty to a dung-heap destined for the fire, the prophet evokes a scene every listener could envision: nothing usable remains; the heap exists only to be destroyed. The message struck at the pride of a king who had secured political power but forfeited covenant fidelity. Theological Significance 1. Holiness: God’s sanctuary cannot coexist with uncleanness. Connections with Prophetic Literature Prophets repeatedly employ refuse imagery to announce that unmixed wrath will fall after prolonged mercy is ignored (Jeremiah 8:2; Zephaniah 1:17). These parallels emphasize that Ahijah’s pronouncement fits a consistent prophetic pattern: God warns, waits, and then removes wickedness without remainder. Relation to New Testament Teaching Paul captures a similar valuation when he writes, “I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). The apostle portrays worldly credentials as spiritual refuse, echoing the Old Testament theme that anything opposed to God is fit only for disposal. The cross ultimately bears the shame and curse symbolized by dung, removing it “outside the camp” (Hebrews 13:12-13). Application for Preaching and Discipleship • Sin is not merely a mistake; it is defilement demanding removal. Summary The lone appearance of this Hebrew term in 1 Kings 14:10 magnifies the certainty and completeness of divine judgment. By likening Jeroboam’s dynasty to dung destined for the fire, Scripture drives home the truth that all rebellion, regardless of its apparent stature, is ultimately worthless and will be swept away so that God’s holiness might prevail. Forms and Transliterations הַגָּלָ֖ל הגלל hag·gā·lāl haggaLal haggālālLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 14:10 HEB: כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר יְבַעֵ֥ר הַגָּלָ֖ל עַד־ תֻּמּֽוֹ׃ NAS: as one sweeps away dung until KJV: as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone. INT: after A clean dung until is all 1 Occurrence |
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