Word Study 2- Pieterse
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Uploaded by JusticeMask29879
Name: Etienne Pieterse
Date: 07 November 2023
WORD STUDY WORKSHEET 2
STEP ONE: WHAT COULD THE WORD MEAN?
1. Identify: Find the correct Hebrew word for the word you are studying.
A.
Word and Verse: Jonah 1:2 “great”
B.
Strong’s Number: H1419
C.
Transliteration: gā
ôl
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
)
D.
Number of Times Used - Immediate Context: 397x (13x in Jonah)
E.
Number of Times Used - Remote Context: 529x
F.
English words represented by this Hebrew word: great, high, greater, loud, greatest, elder,
great man, mighty, eldest
2. Study Immediate Context:
The usage of the term "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) to describe the city of Nineveh in Jonah 1:2 emphasizes not
just its physical vastness, but also its historical and biblical significance. The city of Nineveh was
the capital of the Assyrian Empire and was a renowned and influential metropolis in the ancient
world. The term "great" can be understood in terms of both physical magnitude and significance.
The city of Nineveh is crucial to the Book of Jonah since it is the city to which God directs Jonah
to deliver a message. This message refers to the city's evil and the necessity for its citizens to
repent. The word "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) is used in this context to emphasize the urgency and intensity of
the situation. God's worry for the wickedness in this big city is a major topic in the book, and it
sets the tone for Jonah's reluctance and the story's ensuing events. Overall, the word "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) in Jonah 1:2 not only shows the physical and historical qualities of Nineveh, but also
emphasizes its significance in the narrative and theological message of the Book of Jonah. It acts
as a reminder of the significance of the city as well as the size of the city and the importance of
the work that Jonah is tasked with by God.
3. Study Remote Context (pt. 1): Other uses by the author in a different book
The Bible says in Genesis 1:16: "And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the
day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also." The word "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) is
used in this passage to emphasize the difference in size and significance between the sun (the
greater light) and the moon (the lesser light). This emphasizes the magnificence of these celestial
bodies, their responsibilities in ruling day and night, and their place in God's creation.
In Genesis 12:2, it says, "I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your
name great, so that you will be a blessing." The word "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) highlights the magnitude of
the nation that God promises to construct through Abraham's descendants. It represents not just a
large number of people, but also a significant group in the unfolding tale of God's covenant.
In Genesis 15:1, it says "After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Do
not be afraid, Abram. 'I am your shield and your very large recompense.'" The word "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) is used in this verse to indicate the extraordinary quality of the recompense God provides
Abram. It is more than just a reward; it is a source of encouragement and assurance.
According to Genesis 18:20, "And the Lord said, 'The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so
great, and their sin so grievous.'" The word "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) emphasizes the seriousness of the
situation in Sodom and Gomorrah. The people's misdeeds are not only serious, but also grievous,
resulting in divine judgment.
"Gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) provides depth to the story in each of these lines by emphasizing the greatness,
importance, or intensity of the things or situations being depicted, whether it's celestial bodies,
promises of blessing, divine rewards, or the seriousness of transgression.
4. Study Remote Context (pt. 2): Other uses by other authors in different books
In Exodus 9:28, it says, "Pray to the Lord, for it is enough, that there be no more mighty
thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." The term
"gādôl" (
לֹודָג
)
is used here to describe the "mighty thunderings and hail," emphasizing the severity and force of
the natural calamities that devastated Egypt during the plagues.
The Bible says in Exodus 14:31, "And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the
Egyptians; and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses." The
word
"gādôl" (
לֹודָג
)
is used in this passage to emphasize the magnitude of the Israelites'
miraculous deliverance from the pursuing Egyptian army at the Red Sea. It highlights the gravity
and significance of this heavenly deed.
In Exodus 18:11, it says, "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods; for in the thing in
which they behaved proudly, he was above them." In this verse, Moses' father-in-law, Jethro,
acknowledges the Lord's magnificence in comparison to other gods. The term
"gādôl" (
לֹודָג
)
implies that the Lord's superiority is of a much higher order.
Exodus 32:10, which says, "Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against
them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of you a great nation." God informs Moses
here that He would build a "great nation" out of his offspring. The name
"gādôl" (
לֹודָג
)
stresses
not only the number but also the significance of this nation that will replace the Israelites.
These instances show how
"gādôl" (
לֹודָג
)
is used in Exodus to emphasize the greatness, intensity,
or significance of various components, such as the power of natural calamities, divine deeds, the
greatness of the Lord, or the future importance of Israel.
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STEP TWO: WHAT DOES THE WORD MEAN?
1. Considering context, are there any usages that can be rejected immediately?
Several definitions of "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) in the context of the Book of Jonah can be rejected based on
the text's unique usage.
"More" or "Higher": In Jonah, the term "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) is not used to denote physical height or
comparative magnificence in a literal sense. The book's focus is not on measuring height or
comparing grandeur; rather, it is on Jonah's goal and experiences.
"Loud": While there are occasions in the story when people cry out to God, the term "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) is not employed to express the concept of loudness or volume as a primary motif. Jonah's
experiences are focused on his disobedience, his time in the huge fish, and the people of
Nineveh's repentance.
"Eldest" or "Great Man": The Book of Jonah does not highlight Jonah's age or social status as an
eldest or big man. It concentrates on his job as a prophet and his dealings with God's divine plan
and the people of Nineveh.
"Greatest": Although "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) can mean "greatest," this interpretation is not important to
the themes or actions in Jonah. The book is primarily concerned with Jonah's mission, his effort
to leave, his time in the huge fish, and the ensuing repentance of the people of Nineveh. The
concept of grandeur, in the sense of comparing greatness to anything else, is not a central theme
through its context.
The words "great" and "mighty" are particularly significant in the context of Jonah because they
are associated with the great fish and the tremendous storm, which are major components in the
story. The contexts of Jonah inside the great fish and the great storm sent by God are noteworthy
occurrences that highlight the use of the word "gādôl" (
לֹודָג
) to underline the remarkable and
significant features of the story.
2. Considering context, what do you believe this word means?
The Book of Jonah reinforces the use of "gā
ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
)
to indicate "great" and "mighty" through
three significant components of the narrative:
1. Gā
ôl dā
(Great Fish) (
ḏ
ḡ
גָָד
לֹודָג
): The most prominent use of "gā
ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
)
in the sense of
"great" is in Jonah 1:17's description of the "great fish" or "great whale" that swallows Jonah.
This fish is referred to as "gā
ôl,"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
)
emphasizing its massive size and the miraculous aspect
of Jonah's survival within it. The word "gā
ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
)
in this context emphasizes the magnitude
and awe-inspiring nature of this event.
2. The Great Wind (gā
ôl rûa
) (
ḏ
ḥ
הָלֹודְָג־ַחָו ֽר
): In Jonah 1:4, the storm is described as "gā
ôl
ḏ
rûa
," (
ḥ
הָלֹודְָג־ַחָו ֽר
) or "great wind." This huge and destructive storm is portrayed as a divine
response to Jonah's attempt to leave his mission. The term "gā
ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
)
emphasizes the
severity and magnitude of the storm, which causes the sailors' dread and Jonah's tossing into the
sea.
3. The Great City of Nineveh (Gā
ôl hā îr nînvê) (
ḏ
ʿ
הֵוְניִֽנ
ריִעָה
הָלֹודְָגַה
): When Jonah finally
arrives in Nineveh and gives his word of approaching judgment, the inhabitants of Nineveh
respond with repentance. In Jonah 3:3, the city of Nineveh is referred to as "gā
ôl hā îr," (
ḏ
ʿ
ריִעָה
ַה
הָלֹודְָג
) or "the great city," emphasizing its size and significance. The word "gā
ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
)
underlines the importance of the city that listens to the message.
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In these cases, the word "gā
ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
)
is used to stress the extraordinary, significance, and
power of various components in the story, such as the large fish, the great storm, and the great
city of Nineveh. It underlines the book of Jonah's main theme of God's might and intervention.
3. Consult secondary sources to verify your understanding of the word you are studying.
All sources
The interpretation of words in ancient texts, such as those found in the Hebrew Bible, often relies
on the expertise of scholars and linguistic experts.
In the case of the Hebrew word
"gā ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
), which can be translated as "great," "high,"
"greater," "loud," "greatest," "elder," "great man," "mighty," or "eldest," scholars frequently turn
to a combination of linguistic, historical, and cultural references to determine the most
appropriate translation in a given context. These meanings for the word are reinforced by the
BLB citing Strong’s Concordance.
Linguistic analysis involves examining how
"gā ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
) is used in various parts of the text,
comparing it with similar words in Hebrew, and considering its root, conjugation, and
grammatical forms. This analysis has been drawn from lexicons and concordances coinciding
with the Hebrew words used in the old testament and dictionaries that have been developed
through extensive research and linguistic expertise.
Historical and cultural context also play a significant role in understanding the meaning of
"gā ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
) in a particular passage. Secondary sources like ancient commentaries, historical
documents, and cultural records can shed light on the connotations and nuances of the word in
the context of the time it was written. Scholars may also consider how the word
"gā ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
) is
used in related Semitic languages, such as Aramaic, Akkadian, or Ugaritic, as well as how it
appears in later Jewish texts, such as the Talmud and Midrash.
The combined use of these secondary sources, along with the expertise of scholars in the field,
helps ensure accurate and nuanced interpretations of words like
"gā ôl"
ḏ
(
לֹודָג
) in ancient texts,
contributing to a deeper understanding of the meaning and significance of these words in their
original contexts. This can be found in various commentaries from very popular pastors and
exegetical experts, such as Chuck Smith and Matthew Henry.
RESOURCES USED:
“Great Word Search.”
Blue Letter Bible
. Accessed November 7, 2023.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?
Criteria=great&t=NKJV&csrf=Jon&csrt=Jon#s=s_primary_0_1.
“Jonah (NKJV).”
Blue Letter Bible
. Accessed November 7, 2023.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/search.cfm?Criteria=great&t=NKJV#s=s_lexiconc.
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the
Scriptures
. Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, an imprint of Cook Communications Ministries,
2004.
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