גָּאַל gâʼal — to soil or (figuratively) desecrate
Translated in the KJV as defile, pollute, stain.
a primitive root, (rather identified with H1350, through the idea of freeing, i.e. repudiating); to soil or (figuratively) desecrate.
gâʼal in each stem
Pu'al
Wayyiqtol 2Participle (passive) 2
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.
Niph'al
Perfect (qatal) 2Participle (passive) 1
For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.
Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
Hitpa'el
Imperfect (yiqtol) 2
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Hiph'il
Perfect (qatal) 1
I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
Pi'el
Perfect (qatal) 1
Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.
What the stems mean
A Hebrew verb is its root letters set into a pattern. The pattern — the binyan — is the grammar's way of saying three things at once: whether the action is simple, intensive or causative, and whether its subject is active, passive or reflexive. That is why one Hebrew word can need six English ones. All seven binyanim, explained ›