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Bible Encyclopedias
Heap
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or The Hebrew word גָּרַישׁ, gadish', rendered "‘ tomb" in Job 21:32, and "heap" in the margin, properly signifies a stack, a heap, hence a tomb, tuzmulus, a sepulchral mound that was made by a pile of earth or stones. The ancient tumuli were heaps of earth or stone, and probably such a pile was usually made over a grave as a monument. Travelers in the East have often seen heaps of stones covering over or marking the place of graves. The Hebrew phrase גִּל אֲבָנַים גָּרֹל gal abanim' gadol', rendered "a great heap of stones," refers to the heaps or tumuli which were raised over those whose death was either infamous or attended with some very remarkable circumstances. Such was the monument raised over the grave of Achan (Joshua 7:26); and over that of the king of Ai (Joshua 8:29). The burying of Absalom was distinguished by a similar erection, as a monument of his disgrace to future ages (2 Samuel 18:17). The same word גִּל , gal, is commonly used in reference to the heaps or ruins of walls and cities (Job 8:17; Isaiah 25:2; Jeremiah 9:10). Modern travelers abundantly testify to the accurate fulfillment of Scripture prophecy in relation to the sites of numerous ancient cities, particularly of such as were doomed to become desolate heaps (Bastow). (See PILLAR); (See STONE). Other Heb. terms translated heap are: חֹמֶר, cho'mer, a pile (Exodus 8:14, elsewhere a HOMER, as a measure); מְעַי, mei', a heap of rubbish (Isaiah 17:1); נֵד‘, ned, a mound (Isaiah 17:11; poet. of waves, Exodus 15:8; Joshua 3:13; Joshua 3:16; Psalms 33:7; Psalms 78:13); עֲרֵמָה, aremah', a pile (e.g. of rubbish, Nehemiah 3:34; of grain, Song of Solomon 7:3; of sheaves, Ruth 3:7; Nehemiah 13:15; Haggai 2:16, etc.); תֵּל, tel, a hill (Joshua 11:13; espec. a mound of rubbish, Deuteronomy 12:17; Joshua 8:28; Jeremiah 49:2, etc.); with others of a more miscellaneous signification. (See MOUND).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Heap'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/h/heap.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
