Lexical Summary
gelilah: region, regions, Galilee
Original Word: גְלִילָה
Part of Speech: noun feminine; proper name, of a location
Transliteration: gliylah
Pronunciation: guh-LEE-lah
Phonetic Spelling: (ghel-ee-law')
KJV: border, coast, country
NASB: region, regions, Galilee
Word Origin: [feminine of H1550 (גָּלִיל - turned on pivots)]
1. a circuit or region
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
border, coast, country
Feminine of galiyl; a circuit or region -- border, coast, country.
see HEBREW galiyl
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
galalDefinitiona circuit, boundary, territory, also a district in Pal.
NASB TranslationGalilee (1), region (3), regions (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
—
Ezekiel 47:8; plural construct
Joshua 13:2;
Joshua 22:10,11; Joel 4:4; — belonging to a people
Joshua 13:2 compare Joel 4:4 ( ); so
Joshua 22:10,11 according to some, but see following; absolute
Ezekiel 47:8 ; as
Galilee, ("" ) compare II. .
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scope The noun גְלִילָה (gelilah) speaks of a “circle” or “district,” an area marked off by a surrounding border. In practice it denotes a distinct region, whether defined by political control, natural topography, or covenant allotment. The idea of a circle projects completeness and enclosure, underscoring the biblical concern for fixed boundaries given by God (Numbers 34:1-12; Deuteronomy 32:8).
Biblical Occurrences
1. Joshua 13:2 – “all the territory of the Philistines”
2. Joshua 22:10 – “Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan”
3. Joshua 22:11 – “at Geliloth near the Jordan”
4. Ezekiel 47:8 – “toward the eastern region”
5. Joel 3:4 – “all you regions of Philistia”
Historical and Geographic Insights
• Joshua 13:2 situates gelilah along the Mediterranean coast occupied by the Philistines. Though allotted to Israel (Joshua 15:45-47), the area remained unconquered in Joshua’s day, reminding readers that incomplete obedience leaves enclaves of pagan influence within the promised inheritance.
• Geliloth (Joshua 22) lay just west of the Jordan opposite Jericho. Its name (“districts”) hints at adjoining tribal territories that converged at the river crossing. This was a natural gathering point for the eastern tribes after their military service in Canaan (Joshua 22:1-9).
• Ezekiel 47:8 locates gelilah on the eastern descent from Jerusalem toward the Arabah. The life-giving river flowing “toward the eastern region” anticipates the Messianic renewal of the land (Ezekiel 47:1-12; Revelation 22:1-2).
• Joel 3:4 indicts “all…regions of Philistia,” the same area mentioned in Joshua 13:2, for plundering the Lord’s people. The prophetic linkage shows God’s sovereignty over every district, whether Israel subdues it or not.
Covenant Lessons from Geliloth (Joshua 22)
The imposing altar erected “at Geliloth near the Jordan” nearly split the nation. Western tribes feared apostasy; eastern tribes feared isolation. The narrative highlights:
• Vigilant guardianship of pure worship (Deuteronomy 13:12-18).
• The value of patient investigation before judgment (Proverbs 18:13).
• The unifying power of shared covenant testimony—“The LORD is God” (Joshua 22:34).
Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions
Ezekiel’s river transforms the gelilah that once fed the lifeless Dead Sea, reversing the curse. Joel’s oracle foretells judgment upon Philistia’s geliloth, yet the wider context (Joel 3:18) promises fountains of blessing for Zion. Both visions converge in the New Testament expectation that the earth’s remotest “districts” will be redeemed under Christ’s reign (Acts 1:8; Romans 15:20-21).
Theological Reflections
1. Territorial language grounds faith in physical reality: God cares for soil, borders, and cities.
2. Every gelilah ultimately belongs to Yahweh, whether Israelite or Gentile (Psalm 24:1).
3. The call to possess the land foreshadows the church’s mission to proclaim Christ in every cultural sphere (Matthew 28:18-20).
4. Divine judgment of Philistia’s regions assures believers that oppression will not go unanswered (Jeremiah 12:14-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).
5. The transforming river prefigures the Spirit poured out on “all flesh” (Joel 2:28; John 7:38-39).
Ministry Implications Today
• Boundary stewardship: Churches and families must guard doctrinal and moral perimeters without isolating themselves from mission fields.
• Reconciliation across divides: Joshua 22 models how misunderstanding among brethren can be healed through open dialogue and shared allegiance to God’s altar—the cross of Christ (Ephesians 2:14-18).
• Hope for neglected districts: Ezekiel 47 inspires prayer and outreach to barren places, trusting God to turn spiritual deserts into fruitful gardens.
• Boldness against regional strongholds: Joel’s denunciation of Philistia encourages believers to confront systemic injustice, confident that the Lord of every gelilah will vindicate His name.
Thus, גְלִילָה reminds readers that God ordains, observes, and will ultimately sanctify every “circle” of the earth for His glory.
Forms and Transliterations
גְּלִיל֣וֹת גְּלִיל֥וֹת גְּלִילוֹת֙ גלילות הַגְּלִילָה֙ הגלילה gə·lî·lō·wṯ geliLot gəlîlōwṯ hag·gə·lî·lāh haggeliLah haggəlîlāh
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