Lexical Summary gelel or gel: dung, refuse Original Word: גֵּלֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dung A variation of galal; dung (plural balls of dung) -- dung. see HEBREW galal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom galal Definition dung NASB Translation dung (1), dung* (1), refuse (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [גֵּל] noun [masculine] dung (ball of dung, Arabic  etc., dung of camels etc., compare Aramaic גַּלָּא; on form see Ew§ 255 b Ol§ 150. 163) — suffix גֶּלֲלוֺ Job 20:7, plural construct הָאָדָם (צֵאַת) גֶּלֲלֵי Ezekiel 4:12,15; — human dung used as fuel Ezekiel 4:12,15 (צֵאַת) הָאָדָם ׳ג; perhaps also Job 20:7, but compare Di, who thinks no reference to fuel, & De who thinks of cattle-dung; (see on Arabic word Wetzst in De). — See also II.גָּלָל. גֹּל, גֻּלָּהּ see גֻּלָּה. below Topical Lexicon Meaning and Conceptual Range גֵּלֶל (gelal) denotes animal or human excrement and, by extension, anything regarded as repulsive refuse. In Scripture it serves both literal and figurative purposes, symbolizing contempt, worthlessness, and the inevitable humiliation of the wicked. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Job 20:7 – Zophar foretells that the arrogant will “perish forever like his own dung,” highlighting the certainty and disgrace of divine judgment. Historical and Cultural Background • In the Ancient Near East dried animal dung was a common fuel. Employing it in Ezekiel’s street-theatre symbolized the scarcity of wood and the depths of Israel’s coming humiliation. Theological and Moral Significance • Divine Justice: Job 20:7 and Zephaniah 1:17 declare that pride and rebellion end in disgrace. What humanity exalts, God can reduce to dung. Foreshadowing New Testament Truth Paul’s estimation of worldly achievements as “rubbish” (Philippians 3:8) echoes the gelal motif: all human merit is refuse beside the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Judgment imagery in Revelation 19:17-18 also draws on Zephaniah’s vision of unburied corpses. Ministry Applications • Preaching: Gelal texts warn against complacency, urging repentance before disgrace overtakes the unrepentant (Acts 17:30-31). Practical Illustrations • Mission fields where dung remains a primary fuel source provide ready parallels to Ezekiel’s sign-act, helping modern audiences grasp the shocking nature of his obedience. Summary גֵּלֶל confronts readers with the stark reality of sin’s filth and God’s unsparing judgment, while simultaneously revealing His mercy to provide cleansing and restoration. Its four appearances weave a consistent biblical theme: anything set against the Lord ultimately becomes refuse, but those who heed His warnings find release from shame and entry into His holy presence. Forms and Transliterations בְּגֶֽלְלֵי֙ בגללי גֶּלְלֵ֣י גללי כְּֽ֭גֶלֲלוֹ כַּגְּלָלִֽים׃ כגללו כגללים׃ bə·ḡel·lê bəḡellê begelLei gel·lê gellê gelLei kag·gə·lā·lîm kaggelaLim kaggəlālîm kə·ḡe·lă·lōw kegelalo kəḡelălōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 20:7 HEB: כְּֽ֭גֶלֲלוֹ לָנֶ֣צַח יֹאבֵ֑ד NAS: forever like his refuse; Those who have seen KJV: for ever like his own dung: they which have seen INT: his refuse forever perishes Ezekiel 4:12 Ezekiel 4:15 Zephaniah 1:17 4 Occurrences |
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