Original Word: גָּעַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ga`al
Pronunciation: gah-ahl
Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-al')
Definition: To abhor, to loathe, to reject
Meaning: to detest, to reject

abhor, fail, loathe, vilely cast away

A primitive root; to detest; by implication, to reject -- abhor, fail, lothe, vilely cast away.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to abhor, loathe
NASB Translation
abhor (2), abhorred (1), abhors (1), defiled (1), fail (1), loathed (3), reject (1).

גָּעַל verb abhor, loathe (Late Hebrew געל Nithpa.be fouled,

Hiph`il rinse out with hot water; גְּעִילָה rejection; Aramaic געל Ithpe`el be fouled, soiled) —

Qal Perfect3feminine singular נָָּֽעֲלָה Leviticus 26:43; Jeremiah 14:19, וְגָָֽעֲלָה consecutive Leviticus 26:30; גְּעַלְתִּים Leviticus 26:44; גָָּֽעֲלוּ Ezekiel 16:45; Imperfect3feminine singular תִּגְעַל Leviticus 26:11,15; Participle feminine גֹּעֶ֫לֶת Ezekiel 16:45 (twice in verse); — abhor, loathe, (usually with accusative), Yahweh, his people Leviticus 26:11,30,44 (H) Jeremiah 14:19 (with בְּ); the people, Yahweh's statutes Leviticus 26:15,43 (H); Ezekiel 16:45 (twice in verse) women their husbands (figurative, in prophecy against Jerusalem).

Niph`al נִגְעַל מָגֵן גִּבּוֺרִים 2 Samuel 1:21 the shield of heroes was defiled RVm VB Kirkp. but < is rejected, cast away (with loathing) Dr, compare Klo; ᵐ5 προσωχθίσθη.

Hiph`il Imperfect שׁוֺרוֺ עִבַּר וְלֹא יַֹגְעִ֑ל Job 21:10; and doth not cause, or allow, (the cow) to reject as loathesome Ra De, compare Di¹; Di^{2, however, of bull}, cast away (semen), or shew aversion.

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek Number 94: βδελύσσομαι (bdelussomai) • to detest, to abhor
• Strong's Greek Number 1609: ἐκβάλλω (ekballo) • to cast out, to reject

These Greek terms capture similar themes of rejection and detestation found in the Hebrew גָּעַל (ga'al), emphasizing the continuity of these concepts across the biblical narrative.

Usage: The verb גָּעַל (ga'al) is used in the Hebrew Bible to express a strong sense of rejection or loathing. It often conveys the idea of casting away or despising something or someone due to its perceived impurity or unworthiness.

Context: The Hebrew verb גָּעַל (ga'al) appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often reflecting a divine or human response to impurity, idolatry, or covenant unfaithfulness. It is used to describe God's rejection of His people when they turn away from Him, as well as the people's rejection of God's statutes and commands. This term underscores the seriousness of covenantal relationships and the consequences of breaking them.

For example, in Leviticus 26:11, God promises, "I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not despise you." Here, the term is used in a positive sense, indicating God's acceptance and favor when His people are obedient. Conversely, in Leviticus 26:30, God warns, "I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your dead bodies on the lifeless forms of your idols, and My soul will abhor you." This illustrates the severe consequences of idolatry and disobedience, where God expresses His detestation and rejection of the people's sinful actions.

The verb is also used in the context of personal relationships, as seen in Job 21:10, where it describes the rejection of a servant. The usage of גָּעַל (ga'al) throughout the Scriptures highlights the importance of purity, faithfulness, and the dire consequences of turning away from divine commands.

גְעַלְתִּים֙ גָּֽעֲ֙לוּ֙ גָּעֲלָ֣ה גָּעֲלָ֥ה גֹּעֶ֥לֶת געלה געלו געלת געלתים וְגָעֲלָ֥ה וגעלה יַגְעִ֑ל יגעל נִגְעַל֙ נגעל תִּגְעַ֣ל תִגְעַ֥ל תגעל gā‘ălāh gā‘ălū gā·‘ă·lāh gā·‘ă·lū gaaLah gaAlu ḡə‘altîm ḡə·‘al·tîm gealTim gō‘eleṯ gō·‘e·leṯ goElet niḡ‘al niḡ·‘al nigAl tiḡ‘al ṯiḡ‘al tiḡ·‘al ṯiḡ·‘al tigAl vegaaLah wə·ḡā·‘ă·lāh wəḡā‘ălāh yaḡ‘il yaḡ·‘il yagIlInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts