There are serval places and a couple of things in our bible that were named a word that originates from the word galal. Galal means to roll, roll away, roll together, commit, remove, run down, trust, wallow (to roll). The words that I have found that originated from the word ‘galal’ are:

· Galaad or Gilead – a place name which differs depending on bible version

· Galgal, Galgala, or Gilgad – a place name which differs depending on bible version

· Galilee or Galilea – a place name which differs depending on bible version

· Galiloth or Geliloth – a place name which differs depending on bible version

· Golgotha – a place name

· Gulgoleth – a skull

· Gelgel or Galgal – a wheel; however not all wheels are called galgal

The Galgala or Gilgal close to Jerusalem was an important place where there was a ‘circle of stones’ where holy events took place in the circle, as follows:

· Circumcising

· An altar for offerings & sacrifices

· Kings were anointed

· Threshing or preparing of grains for offerings

The English word church originates from the word circle: the Greek word Kirke [κρῐ́κος (kríkos) ring] later became Circe [circus (genitive circī) orbit, circle, ring] in the Anglo-Saxon, which became Chirche in Church Latin and then became Church in English. The Middle English alternative words for chirche were: chirch, cherche, cherch, circe, kyrk, kirke, churche, chyrche, chyrch, chireche, church. Therefore, both the church and Gigal meant circle.

There are many ancient circles of stone on earth that track the circuit of the sun as Enoch described in the Book of Enoch. The word temple means ‘pertaining to time’. The ancients did use solar time as documented in the book of Enoch, book of Jubilees, and the Dead Sea Scroll Temple Calendar. The Medieval Latin word ‘circulus’ referred to circle, orbit or a calendrical cycle.

Galaad or Gilead

The word Galaad or Galeed is two words Gal and ed. Gal means wave, heap, billow as rolled together or rolling up and the word origin is galgal meaning to roll away or commit. Ed means testimony, witness, evidence. Wikinationary shows that Gilead is a cairn (rounded heap) of stones used as a monument.

Genesis 31:48 – Galaad, ‘The Witness Heap’

In the verses below Jacob and Laban reconcile their differences and make promises to each other as part of their agreement of reconciliation. The stones were set-up as a testimony or evidence of the promises or covenants they agreed to uphold. Therefore they called the place Galaad and this word originates from galgal which means to roll away or commit. The mound of earth provided witness to their agreement of reconciliation.

“Come therefore, let us enter into a league: that it may be for a testimony between me and thee. And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a title: And he said to his brethren: Bring hither stones. And they gathering stones together, made a heap, and they ate upon it. And Laban called it The witness heap: and Jacob, The hillock of testimony: each of them according to the propriety of his language. And Laban said: This heap shall be a witness between me and thee this day, and therefore the name thereof was called Galaad, that is, The witness heap.” DR Gen 31:44-48

“dixitque Laban tumulus [mound of earth] iste testis [witness or one who testifies] erit inter me et te hodie et idcirco appellatum est nomen eius Galaad id est tumulus [mound of earth] Testis [witness or one who testifies]” LV Gen 31:48

“And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed” KJV Gen 31:48

“And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap [G1015 βουνός (bounos) a hill, mound], and the pillar, which I have set between me and thee; this heap witnesses, and this pillar witnesses; therefore its name was called, the Heap [G1015 βουνός (bounos) a hill, mound] witnesses [μαρτυρεί (martureō) to be a witness, to bear witness, give evidence, bear testimony].” Sep Gen 31:48

Below is what ‘Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary’ had to say about Genesis 31:44:

“44. Come thou, let us make a covenant--The way in which this covenant was ratified was by a heap of stones being laid in a circular pile, to serve as seats, and in the center of this circle a large one was set up perpendicularly for an altar. It is probable that a sacrifice was first offered, and then that the feast of reconciliation was partaken of by both parties seated on the stones around it.”

Joshua 22:10 – Altar at Galaad or Gilead of Jordon

After the land was divided among the tribes of Israel in Joshua, the tribe of Ruben, Gad and Manasses went to their land called Galaad (Gilead) and built an altar. This land appears to be in the same area that Jacob and Laban created the mound of earth called Galaad (Gilead) since both places are east of the Jordon. However, Manasseh had a grandson who was called Gilead (Galaad) and they may have named this land after him. I do believe that this is the land though that Laban and Jacob named Galaad (Gilead).

“And I gave Gilead unto Machir. And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the valley of the Arnon, the middle of the valley, and the border thereof, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;” ASV Deu 3:15-16

“The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir begat Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites.” ASV Num 26:29

The tribes of Ruben, Gad and Manasses built an altar in Galaad (Gilead). This altar may have been made within a circle of stones???

“So the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasses returned, and parted from the children of Israel in Silo, which is in Chanaan, to go into Galaad the land of their possession, which they had obtained according to the commandment of the Lord by the hand of Moses. And when they were come to the banks of the Jordan, in the land of Chanaan, they built an altar immensely great near the Jordan.” DR Jos 22:9-10

“reversique sunt et abierunt filii Ruben et filii Gad et dimidia tribus Manasse a filiis Israhel de Silo quae sita est in Chanaan ut intrarent Galaad terram possessionis suae quam obtinuerant iuxta imperium Domini in manu Mosi cumque venissent ad tumulos Iordanis in terra Chanaan aedificaverunt iuxta Iordanem altare infinitae magnitudinis” LV Jos 22:10

“And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.” KJV Jos 22:9

“And they came to Galaad [Γαληλώθ] of Jordan, which is in the land of Chanaan: and the children of Ruben, and the children of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasse built there an alter by Jordan, a great altar to look at.” Sep Jos 22:10

Galgal, Galgala, or Gilgad

Our bibles have a place called ‘Gilgal, Galgal, or Galgala’ (depends on bible version) which means ‘circle of stones’. The noun Gilgal comes from the word ‘gilgal’ which means wheel. The word ‘gilgal’ originates from the word ‘galgal’ which means a wheel, whirl, whirlwind (heaven, rolling thing). The word ‘galgal’ originates form the word ‘galal’ which means to roll, roll away (commit, remove, down, together, run down, seek occasion, trust).

Exodus 24:4 – Moses sets-up 12 Stones as Witness to the Covenant

In the verses below, Moses set-up an altar and a stone for each of the tribes of Israel, as evidence that the 12 tribes agreed to be to be obedient and do what our Father in Heaven told them to do. Therefore a commitment was made and the 12 stones represented evidence to the commitment. The word Galgal does mean a commitment; however I do realize that the word galgal was not used in these verses. This is an example of stones being placed as evidence.

“And to Moses he said, Go up to the Lord, thou and Aaron and Nadab and Abiud, and seventy of the elders of Israel: and they shall worship the Lord from a distance. And Moses alone shall draw nigh to God; and they shall not draw nigh, and the people shall not come up with them. And Moses went in and related to the people all the words of God and the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, saying, All the words which the Lord has spoken, we will do and be obedient. And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and built an altar under the mountain, and set up twelve stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent forth the young men of the children of Israel, and they offered whole burnt-offerings, and they sacrificed young calves as a peace-offering to God. And Moses took half the blood and poured it into bowls, and half the blood he poured out upon the altar. And he took the book of the covenant and read it in the ears of the people, and they said, All things whatsoever the Lord has spoken we will do and hearken therein.” Sep Exo 24:1-7

Joshua 4:19 – Commanded to Build Circle of 12 Stones; Galgal, Galgala, or Gilgal

After the Israelites lived in the wilderness for 40 years they crossed over the Jordan and were commanded to make a ‘circle of stones’ as a witness or evidence of the ark of the covenant crossing the Jordan:

“And Joshua having called twelve men of distinction among the children of Israel, one of each tribe, said to them, Advance before me in the presence of the Lord into the midst of Jordan, and each having taken up a stone from thence, let him carry it on his shoulders, according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel: that these may be to you continually for an appointed sign, that when thy son asks thee in future, saying, What are these stones to us? then thou mayest explain to thy son, saying, The river Jordan was dried up from before the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth, when it passed it: and these stones shall be for a memorial for you for the children of Israel for ever. And the children of Israel did so, as the Lord commanded Joshua; and they took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, (as the Lord commanded Joshua, when the children of Israel had completely passed over,)and carried these stones with them into the camp, and laid them down there. And Joshua set also other twelve stones in Jordan itself, in the place that was under the feet of the priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord; and there they are to this day.” Sep Jos 4:4-9

The circle of stones was placed in Gilgal:

“And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal ‘circle of stones’, in the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.” KJV Jos 4:19-20

“And the people came up out of the Jordan, the tenth day of the first month, and camped in Galgal, over against the east side of the city of Jericho. And the twelve stones which they had taken out of the channel of the Jordan, Josue pitched in Galgal, And said to the children of Israel: When your children shall ask their fathers, to morrow, and shall say to them: What mean these stones? You shall teach them and say: Israel passed over this Jordan through the dry channel.” DR Joshua 4:19-22

“populus autem ascendit de Iordane decimo mensis primi die et castrametati sunt in Galgalis contra orientalem plagam urbis Hiericho duodecim quoque lapides quos de Iordanis alveo sumpserant posuit Iosue in Galgalis” LV Jos 4:19-20

“And the people went up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month [Pick the Lamb date, Exo 12:3]; and the children of Israel encamped in Galgala [Γαλγάλοις] in the region eastward from Jericho. And Joshua set these twelve stones which he took out of Jordan, in Galgala, saying, When your sons ask you, saying, What are these stones?” Sep Jos 4:19-21

Joshua 5:9 – Rolled Away Disgrace at Galgal, Gilgal, Galgala

After the ‘circle of stones’ were placed at Gilgal, the children of Israel were purified and men circumcised at Gilgal. The Latin word circumcīdō is two words: circum-: “round about” or “in a circle around” and caedō: cut, hew, fell. Therefore, while in the ‘circle of stones’ they cut-off the foreskin that circled their penis. Our Father in Heaven removed their uncleanness and removed their disgrace. The Israelites were made clean and set-apart as holy in the ‘circle of stones’. At this point the Israelites were committed (galgal) to our Father in Heaven as HIS chosen people and they were removed (galgal) from being reckoned with Adam’s other descendants who are known as gentiles.

“And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away [galal: commit, remove, roll (away, down, together), run down, seek occasion, trust, wallow] the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.” KJV Jos 5:9

“The children of these succeeded in the place of their fathers, and were circumcised by Josue: for they were uncircumcised even as they were born, and no one had circumcised them in the way.” DR Jos 5:7

“horum filii in locum successerunt patrum et circumcisi sunt ab Iosue quia sicut nati fuerant in praeputio erant nec eos in via aliquis circumciderat” LV Jos 5:7

“And the Lord said to Josue: This day have I taken away from you the reproach of Egypt. And the name of that place was called Galgal, until this present day.” DR Jos 5:9

“dixitque Dominus ad Iosue hodie[on this day] abstuli[take away, carry off, remove, separate] obprobrium Aegypti a vobis vocatumque est nomen loci illius Galgala usque in praesentem die” LV Jos 5:9

“And this is the way in which Joshua purified the children of Israel; as many as were born in the way, and as many as were uncircumcised of them that came out of Egypt, all these Joshua circumcised; for forty and two years Israel wondered in the wilderness of Mabdaris-- Wherefore most of the fighting men that came out of the land of Egypt, were uncircumcised, who disobeyed the commands of God; concerning whom also he determined that they should not see the land, which the Lord sware to give to their fathers, even a land flowing with milk and honey. And in their place he raised up their sons, whom Joshua circumcised, because they were uncircumcised, having been born by the way. And when they had been circumcised they rested continuing there in the camp till they were healed. And the Lord said to Joshua the son of Naue, On this day have I removed [αφείλον (aphaireó): remove, cut off, take away; from two words apo: 'away from'and haireó: to choose, to take for oneself] the reproach [ονειδισμόν (oneidismos) removed their condemnation or disgrace] of Egypt from you: and he called the name of that place Galgala [Γάλγαλα].” Sep Jos 5:4-9 (Greek aphaireó is one of the equivalent words to the block Hebrew Galgal)

The act of removing their foreskin in the circle was the place where our Father in Heaven chose the Israelites to be HIS chosen and clean people. Josephus said it was a sign of liberty.

“Now the place where Joshua pitched his camp was called Gilgal, which denotes liberty; for since now they had passed over Jordan, they looked on themselves as freed from the miseries which they had undergone from the Egyptians, and in the wilderness.” Antiquities.5.1.11, verse 34

Joshua 10:6 – Camp at Galgal, Gilgal, Galgala

Gilgal, Galgal, Galgalis, and Galgola was all the same place and same ‘circle of stones’; different versions of the bible show variations of the spelling:

“And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal [circle of stones], saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.” KJV Jos 10:6-7

“But the inhabitants of the city of Gabaon which was besieged, sent to Josue, who then abode in the camp at Galgal, and said to him: Withdraw not thy hands from helping thy servants: come up quickly and save us, and bring us succour: for all the kings of the Amorrhites, who dwell in the mountains, are gathered together against us. And Josue went up from Galgal, and all the army of the warriors with him, most valiant men.” DR Jos 10:6-7

“habitatores autem Gabaon urbis obsessae miserunt ad Iosue qui tunc morabatur in castris apud Galgalam et dixerunt ei ne retrahas manus tuas ab auxilio servorum tuorum ascende cito et libera nos ferque praesidium convenerunt enim adversum nos omnes reges Amorreorum qui habitant in montanis ascenditque Iosue de Galgalis et omnis exercitus bellatorum cum eo viri fortissimi” LV Jos 10:6-7

“And the inhabitants of Gabaon sent to Joshua into the camp to Galgala, saying, Slack not thy hands from thy servants: come up quickly to us, and help us, and rescue us; for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered together against us. And Joshua went up from Galgala, he and all the people of war with him, every one mighty in strength.” Sep Jos 10:6-7

Joshua 15:7 – Border Place of Galgal, Galgala or Gilgal

This verse shows that Gilgal was on the border of Judah and Benjamin:

“And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal [circle of stones], that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel.” KJV Jos 15:7

“And reaching as far as the borders of Debara from the valley of Achor, and so northward looking towards Galgal, which is opposite to the ascent of Adommin, on the south side of the torrent: and the border passeth the waters that are called the fountain of the sun: and the goings out thereof shall be at the fountain Rogel.” DR Jos 15:7

“et tendens usque ad terminos Debera de valle Achor contra aquilonem respiciens Galgala quae est ex adverso ascensionis Adommim ab australi parte torrentis transitque aquas quae vocantur fons Solis et erunt exitus eius ad fontem Rogel” LV Jos 15:7

“And the borders continue on to the fourth part of the valley of Achor, and go down to Galgal [Γαλγάλ], which is before the approach of Adammin, which is southward in the valley, and terminate at the water of the fountain of the sun; and their going forth shall be the fountain of Rogel.” Sep Jos 15:7

Note: The same Greek word [Γαλγάλ] was used above and Ezekiel 10:13. More information about this is below.

1 Samuel 10:8 – Offerings at Galgal or Galgala or Gilgal

Gilgal was a place where offerings were made:

“And thou shalt go down before me to Galgal, (for I will come down to thee,) that thou mayest offer an oblation, and sacrifice victims of peace: seven days shalt thou wait, O till I come to thee, and I will shew thee what thou art to do.” DR 1Sam 10:8

“quando ergo evenerint signa haec omnia tibi fac quaecumque invenerit manus tua quia Dominus tecum est et descendes ante me in Galgala ego quippe descendam ad te ut offeras oblationem et immoles victimas pacificas septem diebus expectabis donec veniam ad te et ostendam tibi quae facias” LV 1Sam 10:8

“And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.” KJV 1Sam 10:8

“And it shall come to pass when these signs shall come upon thee, --then do thou whatsoever thy hand shall find, because God is with thee. And thou shalt go down in front of Galgal [Γάλγαλα], and behold, I come down to thee to offer a whole-burnt-offering and peace-offerings: seven days shalt thou wait until I shall come to thee, and I will make known to thee what thou shalt do. And it came to pass when he turned his back to depart from Samuel, God gave him another heart; and all these signs came to pass in that day.” Sep 1Sa 10:7-9

1 Samuel 11:15 – Saul Anointed King at Galgala

Gilgal is where Saul was anointed as king of Israel:

“And Samuel said to the people: Come and let us go to Galgal, and let us renew the kingdom there. And all the people went to Galgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Galgal, and they sacrificed there victims of peace before the Lord. And there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced exceedingly.” DR 1Sa 11:14-15

“dixit autem Samuhel ad populum venite et eamus in Galgala et innovemus ibi regnum et perrexit omnis populus in Galgala et fecerunt ibi regem Saul coram Domino in Galgala et immolaverunt ibi victimas pacificas coram Domino et laetatus est ibi Saul et cuncti viri Israhel nimis” LV 1Sa 11:14-15

“Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal [Gilgal: "circle (of stones)"] and renew the kingdom there. And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.” KJV 1Sa 11:14-15

“And Samuel spoke to the people, saying, Let us go to Galgala, and there renew the kingdom. And all the people went to Galgala, and Samuel anointed Saul there to be king before the Lord in Galgala, and there he offered meat-offerings and peace-offerings before the Lord: and Samuel and all Israel rejoiced exceedingly.” Sep 1Sa 11:14-15

“And when Samuel had told them that he ought to confirm the kingdom to Saul by a second ordination of him, they all came together to the city of Gilgal, for thither did he command them to come. So the prophet anointed Saul with the holy oil in the sight of the multitude, and declared him to be king the second time; and so the government of the Hebrews was changed into a regal government” Antiquities.6.5.4, verse 83

1 Samuel 15:21 – Sacrifice at Galgal or Galgalis or Gilgal

Sacrifices were made at Gilgal:

“But the people took of the spoils sheep and oxen, as the firstfruits of those things that were slain, to offer sacrifice to the Lord their God in Galgal.” DR 1Sa 15:21

“tulit autem populus de praeda oves et boves primitias eorum quae caesa sunt ut immolet Domino Deo suo in Galgalis” LV 1Sa 15:21

“But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.” KJV 1Sa 15:21

“But the people took of the spoils the best flocks and herds out of that which was destroyed, to sacrifice before the Lord our God in Galgal [Γαλγάλοις].” Sep 1Sa 15:21

Nehemiah 12:28 – House of Galgal

Israelites were brought from many places including Gilgal (Galgal) to celebrate the dedication of the wall being built around Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah:

“And from the house of Galgal, and from the countries of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singing men had built themselves villages round about Jerusalem. “ DR Neh 12:29

“et de domo Galgal et de regionibus Geba et Azmaveth quoniam villas aedificaverunt sibi cantores in circuitu Hierusalem” LV Neh 12:29

“Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.” KJV Neh 12:29

“And the sons of the singers were assembled both from the neighbourhood round about to Jerusalem, and from the villages, and from the country: for the singers built themselves villages by Jerusalem.” Sep Neh 12:28-29

Galiloth or Geliloth

The bible place name Galiloth or Geliloth also originates from the word galgal. Geliloth means circles and probably refers to a ‘circle of stones’. It is the plural from of ‘gelilah’ meaning a circuit or region (border, coast, country) and it is derived from ‘galil’ meaning turning, folding or ring. Galil is derived from galal meaning to roll away or commit.

Joshua 18:18 – Benjamin border Galiloth or Geliloth

Galiloth (Geliloth) was a place mentioned once in the bible and was located on the border of Benjamin’s property. It might be that Ruben’s son Baeon’s stone is part of a stone monument located at Galiloth. The stone of Baeon also bordered Judah’s property (Jos 15:6).

“Passing thence to the north, and going out to Ensemes, that is to say, the fountain of the sue: And it passeth along to the hills that are over against the ascent of Adommim: and it goeth down to Abenboen, that is, the stone of Been the son of Ruben: and it passeth on the north side to the champaign countries; and goeth down into the plain.” DR Jos 18:17-18

“transiens ad aquilonem et egrediens ad Aensemes id est fontem Solis et pertransit usque ad tumulos qui sunt e regione ascensus Adommim descenditque ad Abenboen id est lapidem Boen filii Ruben et pertransit ex latere aquilonis ad campestria descenditque in planitiem” LV Jos 18:17-18

“And was drawn from the north, and went forth to Enshemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which is over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.” KJV Jos 18:17

“And the borders shall go across to the fountain of Baethsamys: and shall proceed to Galiloth [Γαλιλώθ], which is in front by the going up of Æthamin; and they shall come down to the stone of Baeon of the sons of Ruben; and shall pass over behind Baetharaba northward, and shall go down to the borders behind the sea northward.” Sep Jos 18:17-18

Galilee

The Greek place name Galilee originates from the word ‘galil’ which means a cylinder, rod, circuit, or district. The word ‘galil’ also originates from the word ‘galal’ which means to roll, roll away (commit, remove, down, together, run down, seek occasion, trust). Therefore, Galilee was land with borders called a district and this land within these borders was committed to be the land of Galilee. The borders of the land may have been marked with stones or other markers.

Joshua 20:4 or 7 – Cedes in Galilee or Galilea

The first mention of the place called Galilee is in the book of Joshua.

“And they appointed Cedes in Galilee of mount Nephtali, and Sichem in mount Ephraim, and Cariath-Arbe, the same is Hebron in the mountain of Juda.” DR Jos 20:7

“decreveruntque Cedes in Galilea montis Nepthali et Sychem in monte Ephraim et Cariatharbe ipsa est Hebron in monte Iuda” LV Jos 20:7

“And they appointed Kedesh[ sanctuary] in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.” KJV Jos 20:7

“And Joshua separated Cades[Κεδής] in Galilee [Γαλιλαία] in the mount Nephthali, and Sychem in the mount Ephraim, and the city of Arboc; this is Chebron, in the mountain of Juda.” Sep Jos 20:7

Wheel called Gelgel or Galgal

Sometimes the English words wheel, whirl, whirlwind are translated from the block Hebrew word galgal which originates from the word galal meaning to roll, to roll away, etc (see above). The English word wheel is also translated from other words (as shown below).

Ezekiel 10:13 – Wheel, Gelgel or Voluble

The wheels that Ezekiel described were called Galgal or Gelgel which is derived from the word galal which means to roll away or commit.

“And their whole body, and their necks, and their hands, and their wings, and the circles were full of eyes, round about the four wheels. And these wheels he called voluble, in my hearing. And every one had four faces: one face was the face of a cherub, and the second face, the face of a man: and in the third was the face of a lion: and in the fourth the face of an eagle. And the cherubims were lifted up: this is the living creature that I had seen by the river Chobar.” DR Eze 10:12-15

“et rotas [wheel, chariot] istas vocavit volubiles [that turns itself around, turning, spinning, whirling, rolling, revolving] audiente me” LV Eze 10:13

“As for the wheels [ophan; meaning to revolve; a wheel], it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel [galgal: a wheel, whirl, whirlwind]”. KJV Eze 10:13

“And as for their appearance, there was one likeness to the four, as if there should be a wheel in the midst of a wheel. When they went, they went on their four sides; they turned not when they went, for whichever way the first head looked, they went; and they turned not as they went. And their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about the four wheels. And these wheels [τροχοίς (trochos); a wheel (as a runner), a circuit] were called Gelgel [Γέλγελ; closest word I could find in Greek is γέλγις (gélgis) head of garlic] in my hearing. And the cherubs were the same living creature which I saw by the river of Chobar. And when the cherubs went, the wheels went, and they were close to them: and when the cherubs lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, their wheels turned not. When they stood, the wheels stood; and when they mounted up, the wheels mounted up with them: because the spirit of life was in them. Then the glory of the Lord departed from the house, and went up on the cherubs. And the cherubs lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went forth, the wheels were also beside them, and they stood at the entrance of the front gate of the house of the Lord; and the glory of the God of Israel was upon them above. This is the living creature which I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chobar; and I knew that they were cherubs.” Sep Eze 10:10-20

Golgotha - Head or Skull

The bible place named Golgotha where Jesus was crucified and the word skull also originate from the word galal. The English word head or skull is the word gulgoleth which means head, every man, poll (census), skull (as round). It originates from the word ‘galal’ which means to ‘roll away or commit’. This might mean that our skull or mind should always be committed to our Father who is in Heaven.

“And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull [gulgoleth].” KJV Jud 9:53

Jesus was crucified at Golgotha which was near Jerusalem. It is a place meaning skull.

“Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified. They took Jesus therefore: and he went out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The place of a skull [kraniou], which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha [Γολγοθᾶ, a hill near Jerusalem; from gulgoleth: skull, head, census origin galal: to roll, roll away or commit] : where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.” ASV John 19:16-18

Golgotha was mentioned in the Irish book ‘Lehar Brec’ page 49 and can be downloaded here. See part of page 49 below:

Circular Threshing Floors

King Solomon built the temple at the place where David had prepared a threshing floor:

“And the king said to Orna, Nay, but I will surely buy it of thee at a fair price, and I will not offer to the Lord my God a whole-burnt-offering for nothing. So David purchased the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered up whole-burnt-offerings and peace-offerings: and Solomon made an addition to the altar afterwards, for it was little at first. And the Lord hearkened to the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.” Sep 2Sa 24:24-25

“And Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem in the mount of Amoria, where the Lord appeared to his father David, in the place which David had prepared in the threshing-floor of Orna the Jebusite.” Sep 2Ch 3:1

Ancient threshing floors were a circle of stones where grains are threshed and the stones are sometimes solar aligned. A threshing floor is where grain seeds were separated from chaff by trampling.

The verses below demonstrate the importance of the threshing floor and press. First fruits of grain go to the threshing floor or a press for wine or oil.

“Thou shalt not keep back the first-fruits of thy threshing floor and press. The first-born of thy sons thou shalt give to me.” Sep Exo 22:29

The priest must bless the first fruits from both the threshing floor and press before they can be consumed.

“... he shall take off from (the grain of) the threshing-floor one tenth of a ho[mer (measure of volume, c. 220 litres), that is one eph]ah [or bath (22 litres), as is established]. The ephah and the bath are both the same measure. And from [the wheat o]ne sixth of [an ephah out of a homer and one tenth of a bath] for the fruit of trees. Let no one separate himself (from the norm of I out of 200, cf. Ezek. xlv, 15) by offering one lamb out of a hundred. Let [no] man eat [from the threshing-floor] and from the garden before [the prie]sts have stretched out their hand [to ble]ss first.” Dead Sea Scrolls, 4Q 271, fr. 2 (4Q269, fr. 8 i-ii; 270, fr. 3 iii)

Israelites were required to separate out part of their offering from the threshing floor and use it to make dough for the Feast of Weeks offering.

“Speak to the sons of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, When ye are entering into the land, into which I bring you, then it shall come to pass, when ye shall eat of the bread of the land, ye shall separate a wave-offering, a special offering to the Lord, the first-fruits of your dough. Ye shall offer your bread a heave [αφαίρεμα (faírema) removable] -offering: as a heave-offering from the threshing-floor, so shall ye separate it, even the first-fruits of your dough, and ye shall give the Lord a heave-offering throughout your generations.” Sep Num 15:18-21

Therefore ancient temples and churches would have a threshing floor so that they could comply with the laws of Moses. Grain offerings were prepared within the ‘circle of stones’.

‘Circle of Stones’ Worldwide

Circles of Stones have been found worldwide; however below I focus on the circle of stones found in America, Europe and Australia. Some of these ‘circle of stones’ may have been also used as threshing floors.

The ancient ‘circles of stones’ may have been the origin of these ringforts or kivas. In America they are called kivas and in Europe they are called ringforts.

Greek Temenos

The Greeks had temenos which was an area that was ‘cut off’ or ‘marked off’ for sacred use. The land in the temenos was marked off for official use for a king, chief or god and it was a sacred circle. The word temenos was used in this verse:

“And I will scatter your bones round about your altars, and in all your habitations: the cities shall be made desolate, and the high places utterly laid waste; that your altars may be destroyed, and your idols be broken to pieces, and your consecrated plats [τεμένη, plural of τέμενος (témenos) a sacred enclosure] be abolished.” Sep Eze 6:5-6

A temenos enclosed a sacred space called a hieron; all things inside of this area belonged to God. A hieron is a holy place, temple, shrine or sanctuary and this word was used in the verse below.

“And one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away: and on the temple [ιερόν (hieron)] shall be the abomination of desolations; and at the end of time an end shall be put to the desolation.” Sep Dan 9:27

To see a Greek threshing floor and stone circle, click here since these photos are copyrighted.

Conclusion

The ‘circle of stones’ were holy places where sacred events occurred. These circles are part of our lost Israelite culture that appears to date back to Adam and his descendants also. Today’s praying in a circle may have originated with the ‘circle of stones’. Prayer circles were conducted in early Christianity before the practice was condemned as a heresy by the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 A.D