Lexical Summary galash: To roll, to heap up, to pile Original Word: גָּלַּשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance appear A primitive root; probably to caper (as a goat) -- appear. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to recline NASB Translation descended (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [גָּלַשׁ] verb sit, sit up, possibly also recline (compare Arabic  sit up; so Thes De and others (not Ew)) — only Qal Perfect (שֶׁ)גָָּֽלִשׁוּ Songs 4:1; Songs 6:5 שֶׁגָּלְשׁוּ מ(הר) גִּלְעָד of flocks of goats, in simile of a woman's hair; construction & sense rather awkward. גַּם see below גמם. Topical Lexicon Biblical Usage and Imagery The verb גָּלַּשׁ appears twice, both in Song of Songs. In each case it renders the picture of something “streaming” or “cascading.” • Song of Songs 4:1: “Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.” The beloved’s locks are compared to a dark, moving mass of goats descending the ridges of Gilead at dusk. The verb gives the sense of continuous movement, adding vitality to the bride’s beauty. Cultural and Geographic Background Mount Gilead’s western slopes were well known for pasturing black goats. At day’s end whole flocks would pour downward in narrowing ravines, creating a rippling effect against the pale limestone. Ancient readers immediately pictured silky black hair gliding over the bride’s shoulders. Poetry grounded in local pastoral life thus becomes an inspired vehicle for covenant love. Theological Significance Song of Songs, while celebrating marital affection, is also Scripture’s sanctioned portrayal of covenant love between the Lord and His people. גָּלַּשׁ contributes by stressing: 1. Dynamic Beauty – The Church’s glory is living, not static (Ephesians 5:27). Christological and Ecclesiological Application Just as the bride’s hair captivates the bridegroom, the assembled Church, adorned in holiness, captivates Christ (Revelation 19:7-8). The streaming action hints at Pentecost, when the Spirit poured out upon gathered believers, bringing animation and splendor (Acts 2:17-18). Ministers may therefore call congregations to let the Spirit “flow” freely so that corporate worship mirrors the cascading beauty described by גָּלַּשׁ. Pastoral and Devotional Insights • Personal Devotion – Let the believer’s life “stream” downward in humble obedience, reflecting Christ’s humility (Philippians 2:5-8). Summary Though occurring only twice, גָּלַּשׁ paints a vivid portrait of graceful, living movement. Rooted in real geography and pastoral life, it echoes through theology, pointing to the Lord’s delight in a vibrant, unified, Spirit-led people. Forms and Transliterations שֶׁגָּלְשׁ֖וּ שגלשו šeg·gā·lə·šū šeggāləšū sheggalShuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Songs 4:1 HEB: כְּעֵ֣דֶר הָֽעִזִּ֔ים שֶׁגָּלְשׁ֖וּ מֵהַ֥ר גִּלְעָֽד׃ NAS: of goats That have descended from Mount KJV: of goats, that appear from mount INT: A flock of goats have descended Mount Gilead Songs 6:5 2 Occurrences |
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