What does גָּדַל · עָשָׂה mean in the Bible?
גָּדַל · עָשָׂה is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to do great things — used of the LORD's extraordinary acts".
Hebrew · H1431, H6213
הִגְדִּיל לַעֲשׂוֹת
To be (causatively make ) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride) · to do or make , in the broadest sense and widest application
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
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Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
גָּדַלH1431to be (causatively make ) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
Pronunciationgādal
Growth into power, prominence, or pride—both physical maturation and moral/spiritual elevation or corruption.
Open lexicon entry →עָשָׂהH6213to do or make , in the broadest sense and widest application
Pronunciationasah
Broadest action verb in Hebrew; encompasses creation, covenant-making, and moral conduct—God's primary verb for purposeful activity.
Open lexicon entry →What does הִגְדִּיל לַעֲשׂוֹת (higdil la'asot) mean in the Bible?
גָּדַל · עָשָׂה is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to do great things — used of the LORD's extraordinary acts".
Full entry for הִגְדִּיל לַעֲשׂוֹת (H1431, H6213) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H1431, H6213?
H1431, H6213 is connected to 2,756 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to do great things — used of the LORD's extraordinary acts
Source Gloss
to do great things — used of the LORD's extraordinary acts
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups5Aligned forms69
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action26×
Perfect1Sam 12:24 · 1Sam 20:41 · Dan 8:8 · Dan 8:11 · Isa 28:29 · Jer 48:26 · Jer 48:42 · Joel 2:20 · Joel 2:21 · Lam 1:9 · Ps 41:10 · Ps 55:13 · Ps 126:2 · Ps 126:3 · Eccl 1:16 · Eccl 2:419×
ImperfectDan 8:25 · Isa 42:21 · Ezek 24:9 · Job 19:54×
Participle active2Sam 22:51 · Ps 18:512×
JussiveObad 1:121×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense28×
Perfect1Kgs 12:8 · 1Kgs 12:10 · 2Chr 10:8 · 2Chr 10:10 · Jer 5:27 · Ps 92:6 · 1Sam 26:24 · Ezra 9:6 · Gen 19:13 · Gen 26:13 · Gen 38:14 · Job 2:13 · 2Sam 7:22 · Ps 104:114×
ImperfectGen 38:11 · Gen 48:19 · Mic 5:3 · Ps 35:27 · Ps 40:17 · Ps 70:5 · Zech 12:11 · 1Sam 26:24 · Zech 12:7 · Gen 41:40 · Ruth 1:1312×
JussiveMal 1:5 · Num 14:172×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action12×
PerfectEsth 3:1 · Isa 49:21 · Josh 4:14 · Isa 1:2 · Isa 23:4 · Isa 51:186×
Participle active2Kgs 10:6 · Ps 18:512×
ImperfectHos 9:12 · Isa 44:142×
Infinitive constructNum 6:51×
Sequential imperfectPs 34:41×
Hithpaelreflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others2×
ImperfectDan 11:37 · Isa 10:152×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject1×
Participle passivePs 144:121×
Word Origins
הִגְדִּיל לַעֲשׂוֹת is built from this root: