1127. Ben-geber

Lexical Summary

Ben-geber: Ben-geber

Original Word: בֶּן־גֶּבֶר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ben-Geber
Pronunciation: ben-GEH-ver
Phonetic Spelling: (ben-gheh'-ber)
KJV: the son of Geber
NASB: Ben-geber
Word Origin: [from H1121 (בֵּן - sons) and H1397 (גֶּבֶר - man)]

1. son of (the) hero
2. Ben- Geber, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

the son of Geber

From ben and geber; son of (the) hero; Ben- Geber, an Israelite -- the son of Geber.

see HEBREW ben

see HEBREW geber

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ben and geber
Definition
"son of a man," one of Solomon's leaders
NASB Translation
Ben-geber (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

בֶּןגֶּֿ֫בֶר proper name, masculine (son of a man, or of Geber) an officer of Solomon 1 Kings 4:13.

Topical Lexicon

Name and Meaning

Ben-geber (בֶּן־גֶּבֶר, “son of Geber”) identifies an official who served King Solomon during the height of Israel’s united monarchy.

Historical Setting in the United Monarchy

Solomon’s reign (circa 970–931 BC) was marked by unprecedented prosperity and international influence. To sustain the royal court and large-scale building projects, Solomon divided his kingdom into twelve administrative districts (1 Kings 4:7-19). Each district governor supplied provisions for the palace one month per year, ensuring a steady flow of resources without overtaxing any single region. Ben-geber appears sixth in the list, revealing both the breadth of Solomon’s jurisdiction and his methodical approach to governance.

Administrative Responsibilities

Although Scripture offers only a single verse mentioning Ben-geber, the verse is rich with detail:

“Ben-geber in Ramoth-gilead (the villages of Jair son of Manasseh in Gilead belonged to him, as well as the region of Argob in Bashan and its sixty great cities with walls and bronze bars).” (1 Kings 4:13)

Key responsibilities implied:
• Provisioning the royal household for one month annually.
• Oversight of sixty fortified cities—an enormous logistical task involving food, livestock, security, and labor.
• Maintaining and securing bronze-barred gates, underscoring a defensive role as well as an economic one.

Geographical Scope

1. Ramoth-Gilead—a Levitical city of refuge east of the Jordan (Joshua 21:38), later a strategic military stronghold (1 Kings 22:3-4).
2. Villages of Jair—settlements originally captured by Jair, a Manassite judge, reflecting long-standing Israelite presence (Numbers 32:41; Deuteronomy 3:14).
3. Argob in Bashan—rugged volcanic terrain renowned for “sixty great cities” (Deuteronomy 3:4-5). Together, these areas spanned fertile pasturelands and crucial trade routes, making Ben-geber’s district vital for both commerce and defense.

Strategic Importance

• Military: Fortified cities with bronze gate-bars imply readiness against Aramean or Ammonite threats.
• Economic: Gilead’s famed balm, Bashan’s cattle, and Ramoth’s crossroads location generated wealth that could underwrite Solomon’s ambitious projects.
• Covenant Continuity: Inclusion of the Jair villages ties Solomon’s administration back to Mosaic-era conquests, illustrating God’s faithfulness in granting and preserving the land (Joshua 13:30-31).

Spiritual Implications

Ben-geber’s role exemplifies how mundane administration can serve sacred purposes. By ensuring steady provisions, he enabled Solomon to focus on temple construction (1 Kings 6) and covenant worship. His stewardship of land once given to Manasseh illustrates the enduring link between God’s past victories and present responsibilities.

Lessons for Contemporary Ministry

1. Faithful Supply Lines: Effective ministry often depends on unseen logistical support. Like Ben-geber, believers entrusted with resources sustain broader kingdom work (Philippians 4:16-18).
2. Integration of Defense and Provision: Guarding doctrinal purity parallels guarding fortified cities; both protect the community while enabling growth (Acts 20:28-31).
3. Legacy Stewardship: Ben-geber managed territories won by earlier generations. Modern servants likewise build on prior faithfulness, honoring heritage while meeting current needs (2 Timothy 2:2).

Related Biblical Parallels

• Joseph’s administrative foresight in Egypt (Genesis 41:39-41).
• Nehemiah’s fortification of Jerusalem alongside spiritual reform (Nehemiah 4:13-14; 8:9-12).
• The seven men appointed to distribute food in Acts (Acts 6:1-6).

Conclusion

Though mentioned only once, Ben-geber stands as a model of diligent, God-honoring administration. His effective governance of a vast, strategically critical district contributed to Israel’s golden age and supported Solomon’s temple-centered worship, illustrating how faithful service in practical roles advances the unfolding plan of God throughout history.

Forms and Transliterations

גֶּ֖בֶר גבר ge·ḇer geḇer Gever

Englishman's Concordance

1 Kings 4:13
HEB: בֶּן־ גֶּ֖בֶר בְּרָמֹ֣ת גִּלְעָ֑ד
NAS: Ben-geber, in Ramoth-gilead (the towns
KJV: The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead;
INT: Ben-geber Ramoth-gilead Gilead

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1127
1 Occurrence

ge·ḇer — 1 Occ.