גָּלוּת
Galut
Exile, diaspora, displacement
Galut (גָּלוּת) is a Hebrew word meaning “exile, diaspora, displacement,” pronounced “ga-LOOT.” Derived from the root ג-ל-ה, galut appears 180 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H1546).
| Hebrew | גָּלוּת |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Galut |
| Pronunciation | ga-LOOT |
| Meaning | Exile, diaspora, displacement |
| Root Letters | ג-ל-ה |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 180× |
| Key Verse | Jeremiah 29:7 |
| Strong's Number | H1546 |
| Category | Additional Important Words |
No experience has shaped Jewish identity more profoundly than galut (גָּלוּת) — exile. When Babylon destroyed the Temple in 586 BC and carried Judah's population into captivity, it raised the most devastating theological question possible: Has God abandoned His people? The prophets answered with a resounding no — galut was discipline, not divorce. And within the exile, God gave one of the Bible's most remarkable instructions through Jeremiah: 'Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into galut, and pray to the LORD on its behalf' (Jeremiah 29:7). God told His exiled people not to withdraw from their foreign setting but to invest in it, build in it, pray for it. This transforms galut from mere suffering into mission. For Christians living as 'strangers and exiles' (1 Peter 2:11) in a world that is not yet their home, the theology of galut is powerfully relevant. You can flourish in exile while longing for home — because God is present even in Babylon.
Key Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:7
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile (galut), and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
What Is the Root of Galut in Hebrew?
Galut comes from the root ג-ל-ה (gimel-lamed-he), meaning 'to uncover, reveal, exile.' The connection between 'exile' and 'reveal' is profound: exile uncovers truth about ourselves and about God that comfort never could. Displacement becomes revelation.
What Does Galut Mean in the Bible?
Galut and its root appear over 180 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes the Assyrian exile of the northern kingdom (2 Kings 17:23), the Babylonian exile of Judah (2 Kings 25:21), the experience of displacement (Psalm 137), and the prophetic promise of return (Jeremiah 29:10, Isaiah 40:1-2).
How Is Galut Used in Modern Hebrew?
The concept of galut has profoundly shaped Jewish diaspora identity for 2,500 years. The traditional prayer 'Next year in Jerusalem' (L'shanah haba'ah b'Yerushalayim), said at every Passover Seder, expresses the galut longing for return. Modern Israel's founding in 1948 is seen as the beginning of 'kibbutz galuyot' — the ingathering of exiles.
How to Use Galut in Prayer & Worship
If you feel exiled — displaced, out of place, longing for home — embrace the galut calling. Seek the welfare of the place where God has put you. Invest, pray, and build, even in Babylon. And hold onto the promise: God always brings His people home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Galut
How do you say “Exile” in Hebrew?
“Exile” in Hebrew is Galut (גָּלוּת), pronounced “ga-LOOT.” Galut comes from the root ג-ל-ה (gimel-lamed-he), meaning 'to uncover, reveal, exile.' The connection between 'exile' and 'reveal' is profound: exile uncovers truth about ourselves and about God that comfort never could. Displacement becomes revelation.
What does Galut mean in the Bible?
Galut (גָּלוּת) means “Exile, diaspora, displacement” in Biblical Hebrew. Galut and its root appear over 180 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes the Assyrian exile of the northern kingdom (2 Kings 17:23), the Babylonian exile of Judah (2 Kings 25:21), the experience of displacement (Psalm 137), and the prophetic promise of return (Jeremiah 29:10, Isaiah 40:1-2).
How do you pronounce Galut?
Galut is pronounced “ga-LOOT.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ג-ל-ה.
Why did God allow Israel to go into exile?
The prophets are clear: exile was the consequence of persistent covenant unfaithfulness — primarily idolatry and social injustice. But galut was remedial, not final. Jeremiah 29:10 promises: 'After seventy years are completed in Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill my good word to bring you back.' Exile was a severe but temporary discipline from a faithful God.
What does Jeremiah 29:7 teach about living in exile?
God instructs exiles to build houses, plant gardens, marry, and seek the welfare of their foreign city. This is revolutionary — not withdrawal but engagement. God's people are called to be a blessing even in hostile territory. This shapes Christian theology of cultural engagement: we are exiles, but we are called to seek the shalom of the cities where God has placed us.
How does the Jewish experience of exile relate to Christians?
Peter calls believers 'exiles and strangers' (1 Peter 2:11). Christians live in a spiritual galut — this world is not our final home. Yet like the Jewish exiles in Babylon, we are called to invest, serve, and seek the welfare of our communities while longing for the heavenly Jerusalem. Exile theology gives us a framework for living faithfully between the 'already' and 'not yet.'
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H1546: Galut
- Bible Gateway — Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ג-ל-ה
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