Lexical Summary Gebal: Gebal Original Word: גְּבָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gebal The same as Gbal; Gebal, a region in Idumaea -- Gebal. see HEBREW Gbal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as gebul Definition a region S. of the Dead Sea NASB Translation Gebal (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גְּבָל proper name, of a location (= Arabic  , Γεβαληνη) mountainous region south of Dead Sea, ᵑ7 Seir, compare JosAnt, ii. 1, 2; ix. 9, 1; Psalm 83:8 גבָל ועמון ועמלק; — modern Jibâl; Seetzen:ii. 357 BurckhTravels 401 RobBR ii. 154. גבן (probably be curved, contracted, coagulated; Syriac Pa`el Topical Lexicon Etymology and Geographic Placement Gebal is most naturally associated with the notion of a “mountain ridge” or “boundary.” Two primary identifications have been proposed: (1) the famed coastal city of Byblos in Phoenicia (modern Jbeil, Lebanon), renowned for maritime commerce; and (2) the craggy highlands south-east of the Dead Sea that later formed part of Edom. Psalm 83:7 lists Gebal alongside distinctly Trans-Jordan and southern entities, which favors the Edomite location for this passage, though the Phoenician association remains historically plausible. Biblical Occurrence • Psalm 83:7 – “Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, Philistia with the people of Tyre.” Historical Context Psalm 83 records a confederation of surrounding peoples determined to erase Israel’s national existence (Psalm 83:4). The coalition includes Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, and Assyria. If Gebal here is the Edomite mountain district, the list follows a roughly clockwise sweep around Israel’s borders, underscoring the psalmist’s sense of being encircled. The Edomite connection is strengthened by Obadiah 3’s reference to Edom’s “lofty dwelling in the clefts of the rock,” imagery congruent with the rugged “boundary-mountain” idea inherent in Gebal. Alternatively, should Gebal represent Phoenician Byblos, its placement beside Tyre would reflect northern maritime allies supplying resources and strategic support. Either way, Gebal’s inclusion testifies that every compass point was aligned against the covenant people. Theological Themes 1. The Hostility of the Surrounding Nations – Gebal’s participation illustrates the perennial enmity foretold in Genesis 3:15 and reiterated in Numbers 24:9. Psalm 83 stands as an Old Testament witness to the reality that Israel’s greatest threats often arise from united neighboring powers. Ministry Insights • Prayer in Crisis – Psalm 83 models an urgent, Scripture-rooted petition against a multi-front assault. Modern believers facing spiritual or societal pressure can echo Asaph’s plea, entrusting ultimate vindication to God rather than human stratagems. Related Passages • Psalm 83:4-12 – Context of the coalition and the psalmist’s imprecatory petitions. Christological and Eschatological Echoes The opposition arrayed in Psalm 83 prefigures the ultimate gathering of nations against the Lord and His Anointed (Psalm 2:1-2). Just as Gebal was drawn into an anti-Israel confederacy, Revelation 16:14-16 anticipates a final coalition at Armageddon. Yet the resolve of Psalm 83 is fulfilled in Christ, who “always leads us in triumphal procession” (2 Corinthians 2:14), assuring believers that no earthly alliance can thwart God’s redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations גְּבָ֣ל גבל gə·ḇāl gəḇāl geValLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 83:7 HEB: גְּבָ֣ל וְ֭עַמּוֹן וַעֲמָלֵ֑ק NAS: Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, KJV: Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; INT: Gebal and Ammon and Amalek |
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coagulate; Arabic 
is be timid, perhaps from shrinking, cowering).