The Hebrew verb גִּלַּח (root: ג-ל-ח) means “to shave,” “to shear,” or “to remove hair.” It primarily appears in the Piel binyan, which expresses intensive or purposeful action, particularly when shaving the head, beard, or body. It is used in ritual contexts (such as purification rites) and in descriptions of mourning or humiliation.
The verb also appears in the Hithpael form (reflexive), meaning “to shave oneself.”
Piel Binyan Conjugation of גִּלַּח (“to shave”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | גִּלַּחְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | גִּלַּחְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | גִּלַּחְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | גִּלַּח |
| 3rd person feminine singular | גִּלְּחָה |
| 1st person plural | גִּלַּחְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | גִּלַּחְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | גִּלַּחְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | גִּלְּחוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | מְגַלֵּחַ |
| Feminine singular | מְגַלַּחַת |
| Masculine plural | מְגַלְּחִים |
| Feminine plural | מְגַלְּחוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֲגַלֵּחַ |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תְּגַלֵּחַ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תְּגַלְּחִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יְגַלֵּחַ |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תְּגַלֵּחַ |
| 1st person plural | נְגַלֵּחַ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תְּגַלְּחוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תְּגַלֵּחַנָּה |
| 3rd person plural | יְגַלְּחוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | גַלֵּחַ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | גַלְּחִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | גַלְּחוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | גַלֵּחַנָּה |
Usage in Scripture
- Numbers 6:9 – וְגִלַּח רֹאשׁ נִזְרוֹ
“And he shall shave the head of his consecration…” — regarding a Nazirite vow. - Isaiah 7:20 – בַּתַּעַר הַשְּׂכוּרָה בְּעֵבֶר נָהָר… תְּגַלַּח אֶת־הָרֹאשׁ
“With a razor hired from beyond the River… [the LORD] will shave the head.” — symbolic act of humiliation and judgment. - 2 Samuel 10:4 – וַיִּגְלַּח חֲצִי זְקָנֹתֵיהֶם
“And he shaved off half their beards…” — an act of humiliation inflicted on David’s servants.
Summary
The verb גִּלַּח highlights important cultural practices in ancient Israel involving shaving as part of purification, mourning, or humiliation. Its appearance in ritual contexts like the Nazirite vow and prophetic actions signifies personal transformation, purity, and at times public disgrace. As such, גִּלַּח plays a notable role in biblical themes of identity and consecration.
