Lexical Summary gallab: Barber Original Word: גַּלָּב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance barber From an unused root meaning to shave; a barber -- barber. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a barber NASB Translation barber's (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [גַּלָּב] noun [masculine] barber (Phoenician גלב CISi, 257 ff.) — Ezekiel 5:1 תַּעַר הַגַּלָּבִים. Topical Lexicon Biblical Usage גַּלָּב appears once in the Old Testament, describing the “barber’s razor” employed by Ezekiel in a dramatic prophetic sign-act (Ezekiel 5:1). The prophet is commanded, “Take a sharp sword; use it as a barber’s razor to shave your head and your beard” (Berean Standard Bible). This solitary occurrence anchors the word within a vivid prophetic tableau in which the cutting of hair foreshadows judgment upon Jerusalem. Historical Background Barbers were a recognized class of craftsmen in the ancient Near East, serving both hygienic and ritual roles. Egyptian tomb paintings show barbers at work, and Mesopotamian legal texts mention their services. In Israel, grooming usually took place within the household, yet specialized artisans existed for occasions requiring exceptional skill or ceremonial purity (Genesis 41:14; 2 Samuel 14:26). A razor, therefore, could symbolize refinement or set-apart ritual action; in Ezekiel’s ministry it becomes an instrument of divine decree. Prophetic Symbolism in Ezekiel 5 1. Total Shaving. The removal of both head and beard was culturally shocking, signaling mourning (Jeremiah 48:37), humiliation (2 Samuel 10:4-5), or purification (Leviticus 14:8-9). Theological Significance • Judgment and Covenant Faithfulness. The razor underscores the sharpness of God’s justice against covenant unfaithfulness (Deuteronomy 28:64-68; Ezekiel 5:9). Related Biblical Themes • Nazirite Vow: The uncut hair of a Nazirite symbolizes dedication; shaving marks completion or defilement (Numbers 6:13, 18). Ministry Reflections 1. Visual Preaching. Ezekiel’s use of a barber’s instrument encourages creative yet Scripture-grounded proclamation that arrests attention and communicates divine truth. For Further Study Ezekiel 4–5; Isaiah 7:20; Numbers 6; Numbers 8; Leviticus 14; Jeremiah 48:37. Forms and Transliterations הַגַּלָּבִים֙ הגלבים hag·gal·lā·ḇîm haggallāḇîm haggallaVimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 5:1 HEB: חַדָּ֗ה תַּ֤עַר הַגַּלָּבִים֙ תִּקָּחֶ֣נָּה לָּ֔ךְ NAS: and use it [as] a barber's razor KJV: take thee a barber's razor, INT: A sharp razor it a barber's take and use 1 Occurrence |