BIBLE HEBREW WORD STUDY
Gadol — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
Gadōl (also plural gəḏōliym, feminine gəḏōlāh) is the most common Hebrew adjective for 'great,' covering physical size, number, intensity, and social or moral standing.
Meaning of the word
Gāḏôl is the base masculine singular form of the Hebrew adjective meaning 'great.' It applies to physical magnitude (Gen 1:16, the two great lights), to living creatures distinguished by sheer size (Gen 1:21, the great sea creatures), and to abstract qualities such as national stature, reputation, and the severity of a judgment (Gen 12:2, 12:17). The plural form gəḏōliym and the feminine singular gəḏōlāh are used flexibly with both masculine and feminine nouns, as in Exodus 14:31 where gəḏōlāh modifies 'work.'
The lexicon entry for H1419 notes that gāḏôl can also carry the sense of 'older' (great in age) and, in certain contexts, 'insolent' (great in self-assertion). These extended meanings are tied to the same underlying idea of magnitude — whether of years or of arrogance. In the example verses supplied, however, the dominant sense is straightforward magnitude or significance, not age or insolence.
Usage in Scripture
In Genesis 1, gāḏôl describes God's creative acts: the two great lights governing day and night, and the great sea creatures. The word here functions as a marker of significance and cosmic order, signaling that what is described is not merely large but divinely appointed and noteworthy.
From Genesis 12 onward, the term shifts to covenantal and redemptive contexts. God promises to make Abram a great nation and to make his name great (Gen 12:2), and great plagues fall on Pharaoh (Gen 12:17). In Exodus 14:31, Israel sees the great work of deliverance at the sea and responds with fear and faith. Across these passages, gāḏôl repeatedly ties 'greatness' to the action of God — His creation, His promise, His judgment, and His salvation.
The word in detail
- H1419 H1419, gāḏôl, is the standard Hebrew adjective for 'great.' Its plural gəḏōliym and feminine gəḏōlāh are used across Genesis and Exodus to describe both created objects and divine acts, and the root also extends to mean 'older' or, in some contexts, 'insolent.'
Example verses
- Genesis 1:16 Gəḏōliym here describes the two great lights — sun and moon — placing the celestial bodies under the category of the 'great' that God created on day four.
- Genesis 1:21 The same plural form marks the great sea creatures (תַּנִּינִים), emphasizing their significance within God's creation as creatures of remarkable magnitude.
- Genesis 12:2 Gāḏôl is applied three times to nation, blessing, and name, framing God's promise to Abram in terms of covenantal greatness — numerical, relational, and reputational.
- Exodus 14:31 Gəḏōlāh modifies 'work' (הַיָּד), identifying the sea-crossing as the great saving act of God that produces fear and faith in Israel.
Common questions
What does gadol mean in Hebrew?
Gadōl is the basic Hebrew adjective for 'great,' covering physical size, quantity, intensity, and also status or significance. Related forms include the plural gəḏōliym and the feminine gəḏōlāh.
Is gadol only about physical size?
No. While gadol can describe physical magnitude (as with the great lights in Genesis 1:16), it also marks national stature, reputation, severity of plagues, and the greatness of God's acts of deliverance.
What other meanings does H1419 have?
The lexicon entry notes that gāḏôl can also mean 'older' (great in age) and, in some contexts, 'insolent' (great in self-assertion), though these senses are not the focus of the example verses provided.