- GALLIM heaps, (1 Samuel 25:44; Isaiah 10:30). The native place of
Phalti, to whom Michal was given by Saul. It was probably in Benjamin,
to the north of Jerusalem. - GALLIO the elder brother of Seneca the philosopher, who was tutor and
for some time minister of the emperor Nero. He was “deputy”, i.e.,
proconsul, as in Revised Version, of Achaia, under the emperor Claudius,
when Paul visited Corinth (Acts 18:12). The word used here by Luke in
describing the rank of Gallio shows his accuracy. Achaia was a senatorial
province under Claudius, and the governor of such a province was called a
“proconsul.” He is spoken of by his contemporaries as “sweet Gallio,”
and is described as a most popular and affectionate man. When the Jews
brought Paul before his tribunal on the charge of persuading “men to
worship God contrary to the law” (18:13), he refused to listen to them,
and “drave them from the judgment seat” (18:16). - GALLOWS Hebrews ‘ets, meaning “a tree” (Esther 6:4), a post or
gibbet. In Genesis 40:19 and Deuteronomy 21:22 the word is rendered
“tree.” - GAMALIEL reward of God. (1.) A chief of the tribe of Manasseh at the
census at Sinai (Numbers 1:10; 2:20; 7:54, 59).
(2.) The son of rabbi Simeon, and grandson of the famous rabbi Hillel. He
was a Pharisse, and therefore the opponent of the party of the Sadducees.
He was noted for his learning, and was president of the Sanhedrim during
the regins of Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, and died, it is said, about
eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem.
When the apostles were brought before the council, charged with preaching
the resurrection of Jesus, as a zealous Pharisee Gamaliel councelled
moderation and calmness. By a reference to well-known events, he advised
them to “refrain from these men.” If their work or counsel was of man, it
would come to nothing; but if it was of God, they could not destroy it, and
therefore ought to be on their guard lest they should be “found fighting
against God” (Acts 5:34-40). Paul was one of his disciples (22:3).