Biblica Analytica

גֶּ֫לֶד

ge.led (H1539)

skin

1 verses 1 books OT 1 / NT 0
AI Word Study

# The Hebrew Word *Geled* (Skin) The Hebrew term *geled* denotes skin in its most basic physical sense. With only a single occurrence in the biblical text, this word represents a straightforward anatomical reference rather than a term developed through varied theological or metaphorical application. Its minimal presence in Scripture distinguishes it from more frequently employed Hebrew vocabulary for related concepts. The rarity of *geled*'s appearance—appearing just once in the entire Bible—suggests it was either a specialized or archaic term, or simply one among several Hebrew words used to reference skin. This limited usage prevents us from observing how the word's meaning might have shifted across different contexts or how biblical authors employed it to convey broader theological ideas. Unlike common biblical terms that accumulate layers of symbolic meaning through repeated use in diverse situations, *geled* remains essentially tied to its literal, physical referent. From a lexicographic perspective, *geled* illustrates that not all biblical vocabulary carried equal weight in the tradition. Its single appearance indicates the Hebrew scriptures had multiple ways to reference the human body's outer covering, yet this particular term left only a minimal trace in the textual record we possess.

AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.

Job 16:15

I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.