Properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
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Gillul is a Hebrew noun used as a sharply contemptuous label for idols. It appears especially in Ezekiel, where it exposes false worship as defiling, enslaving, and incompatible with covenant loyalty to the LORD.
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Full entry for גִּלּוּל (H1544) · Open the biblical lexicon
Gillul is a Hebrew noun used as a sharply contemptuous label for idols. It appears especially in Ezekiel, where it exposes false worship as defiling, enslaving, and incompatible with covenant loyalty to the LORD.
The BSB source-word alignment has 48 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include idols (10), the idols (8), your idols (7), their idols (6), with their idols (3).
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Leviticus 26:30. Its strongest book concentrations include Ezekiel (39), 2 Kings (4), 1 Kings (2), Deuteronomy (1).
Gillul is a Hebrew noun used as a sharply contemptuous label for idols. It appears especially in Ezekiel, where it exposes false worship as defiling, enslaving, and incompatible with covenant loyalty to the Lord. The term identifies objects and systems of idolatry, not people as disposable or subhuman. Its polemical force should be preserved without repeating crude popular etymologies as settled fact and without turning prophetic denunciation into permission to mock neighbors.
Second Kings connects service to idols with direct disobedience to God's command. Ezekiel 14 moves the problem inward by describing idols set up in the heart, while Ezekiel 36 promises cleansing from idols as part of God's restorative work. Leviticus 26 places destroyed idols within covenant judgment. Christian teaching may examine whatever receives trust, worship, fear, or allegiance that belongs to God, but it should not casually label every strong desire an idol or use the term as a weapon against another culture.
Idolatry is confronted through truth, repentance, cleansing, and renewed loyalty to God.
Gillul is a forceful biblical term for idols, often within covenant judgment and cleansing; its polemic targets false worship while context identifies objects, heart allegiance, and promised restoration.
They served idols, although the Lord had told them, “You shall not do this thing.”
The history evaluates idol service as knowing disobedience to the Lord's command, not merely as an unfamiliar cultural practice.
I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you.
The covenant warning portrays severe judgment on persistent rebellion and exposes the idols themselves as lifeless and unable to save.
“Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I consult with them in any way?
Ezekiel locates idolatrous allegiance within the heart even as leaders seek prophetic consultation, exposing divided worship and self-deception.
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
God promises cleansing from impurity and idols within a restoration passage that continues with a new heart and Spirit-enabled obedience.
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItA compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
Hebrew word. properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol BDB: idols Usage: idol.
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
גִּלּוּל is built from this root:
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
Idolatry is not a harmless decorative mistake in these passages. Israel serves what the Lord forbids, trusts lifeless objects within covenant rebellion, and carries false allegiance into the heart while still seeking religious guidance. Ezekiel's language is intentionally severe because idolatry distorts worship, justice, identity, and hope. Yet the prophetic goal is not contempt for human beings.
God promises to cleanse His people from impurities and idols, give a new heart, and put His Spirit within them. Churches should therefore expose rival loyalties honestly, including money, power, nation, ideology, romance, ministry success, or control when these receive the trust and obedience due to God. At the same time, leaders should avoid declaring every enjoyment or disagreement idolatrous.
The diagnosis requires evidence of worship-shaped allegiance and must begin with self-examination. Biblical polemic may unmask false gods as powerless, but it must never become permission for ethnic hatred, religious harassment, humiliation, or dehumanizing speech toward neighbors made in God's image.
Ezek.14.3
The noun functions as an intentionally disparaging designation for idols. Its rhetorical contempt for false gods is clear, while proposed concrete derivations should not be presented as certain or expanded into insults against worshipers.
The New Testament continues the call to flee idolatry and identifies covetousness with idolatry in particular contexts. These connections extend covenant loyalty to Christ without making H1544 a direct label for every attachment, possession, tradition, or religious neighbor.