H1537 H1537
Gilgal (multiple sites: 'circle of stones')
Multiple biblical locations bore this name, most famously the site near Jericho where Israel first camped after crossing Jordan and erected memorial stones. The name means 'circle' or 'wheel,' likely referring to stone circles at these sanctuary sites. Joshua 4-5 establishes Gilgal as Israel's first worship center in Canaan, where circumcision was renewed and Passover celebrated. Later texts mention a Gilgal in Benjamin's territory and possibly another in northern Israel. The prophets sometimes criticized Gilgal's corrupt worship. This name's popularity reflects the significance of circular stone monuments in ancient Israelite religion.
Senses
1. Gilgal (place name) — A place name (primarily the Jordan valley site) meaning 'circle,' likely of memorial stones erected by Joshua (Joshua 4:19-20). All languages transliterate Gilgal unchanged, recognizing its status as a major biblical site. The etymology connects to the Hebrew root for 'roll,' which Joshua 5:9 exploits in a wordplay: 'I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt.' Multiple Gilgals in biblical geography reflect the name's association with sacred stone circles. 41×
AR["الجِلجالَ", "الجِلجالِ", "الجِلْجالَ", "الجِلْجالِ", "الجِلْجَال", "الـ-جِلْجَال", "الْجِلْجالِ", "الْجِلْجَالَ", "الْجِلْجَالِ"]·ben["-গিলগলে", "-গিলগলের", "-গিল্গল", "গিলগাল", "গিলগালে", "গিলগালের", "গিল্গল", "গিল্গল-", "গিল্গলে", "গিল্গলে-সেই-", "গিল্গলের", "গিল্গালের"]·DE["Gilgal", "der-Gilgal"]·EN["Gilgal", "the-Gilgal", "to-the-Gilgal"]·FR["Guilgal", "le-Gilgal", "le-Guilgal"]·heb["גלגל", "ה-גלגל", "ה-גלגלה", "הַ-גִּלְגָּל"]·HI["गिलगल", "गिलगाल", "गिलगाल-के", "गिलगाल-से", "गिल्गाल"]·ID["Gilgal", "ke-Gilgal"]·IT["Ghilgal", "il-Ghilgal"]·jav["Gilgal", "dhateng-Gilgal", "ing-Gilgal"]·KO["그-길갈", "그-길갈로", "그-길갈에", "그-길갈에서", "그-길갈의", "길갈", "길갈-에", "길갈로", "길갈에서", "길갈은"]·PT["Gilgal", "Guilgal", "ao-Gilgal", "o-Gilgal"]·RU["-Гильгала", "Гилгал", "Гилгала", "Гилгалу", "Гильгал", "Гильгала", "в-Гилгал", "в-Гильгал"]·ES["Gilgal", "a-Gilgal", "el-Gilgal", "el-Guilgal"]·SW["Gilgali", "ha-Gilgali"]·TR["-Gilgal", "-Gilgal'a", "Gilgal", "Gilgal'a", "Gilgal'dan", "Gilgal'ın", "Gilgal-a", "Gilgala", "de-Gilgal"]·urd["-جلجال-میں", "جلجال", "جلجال-کو", "جلجال-کے", "گلگال", "گلگال-میں", "گلگال-کو"]
Deut 11:30, Josh 4:19, Josh 4:20, Josh 5:9, Josh 5:10, Josh 9:6, Josh 10:6, Josh 10:7, Josh 10:9, Josh 10:15, Josh 10:43, Josh 12:23 (+29 more)
Related Senses
H2719 1. sword, weapon of war (410×)H4196 1. altar (place of sacrifice) (403×)H7393 1. chariot, chariotry (117×)H7198 1. bow (weapon) (72×)H7979 1. table (71×)H7782 1. ram's horn trumpet (69×)H4294 2. staff, rod, scepter (63×)H4043 1. shield, defensive weapon (60×)H0646 1. ephod (priestly garment) (49×)H8504 1. blue (violet-blue yarn/fabric) (49×)H2595 1. spear, lance (48×)H2671 1. arrow, projectile weapon (46×)H4818 1. chariot, war-chariot (44×)H3658 1. lyre, harp (stringed instrument) (42×)H0713 1. purple (fabric/dye) (38×)H0905 3. poles, staves (37×)H7392 1. Qal participle: rider, charioteer (37×)H4501 1. cultic lampstand (menorah) (36×)H0212 1. wheel (35×)H7626 2. rod, staff, stick (33×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† II. גִּלְגָּל n.pr.loc. ( = (sacred) circle of stones; cf. Di on Jos 5:9, where word-play on roll away, off)—c.art.except Jos 5:9; 12:23;— 1. place E. of Jericho, where Isr. lay encamped Jos 4:19, 20; 5:9, 10; 9:6; 10:6, 7, 9, 15, 43; 14:6; cf. Mi 6:5 & Ju 3:19 הַפְּסִילִים אֲשֶׁר אֶת־הַגּ׳;? mod. Tell Juljul BdPal 169; perhaps also the place where sacrifices were offered 1 S 10:8; 11:14,…