Lexical Summary Geba: Geba Original Word: גֶּבַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gaba, Geba, Gibeah From the same as gbiya', a hillock; Geba, a place in Palestine -- Gaba, Geba, Gibeah. see HEBREW gbiya' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a Levitical city of Benjamin NASB Translation Geba (17), Maareh-geba* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גֶּ֫בַע proper name, of a location — ׳ג absolute Joshua 21:17 +; construct Judges 20:10 +; גָּ֑בַע Joshua 18:24 +; — Levitical city, in Benjamin Joshua 21:17 = 1 Chronicles 6:45; Joshua 18:24 compare 1 Chronicles 8:6; 1 Kings 15:22; Nehemiah 11:31; also 1 Samuel 13:16 & Judges 20:10,33 ᵑ0, in all three read (גִּבְעַת) גִּבְעָה, compare context; — northernmost city in kingdom of Judah 2 Kings 23:8 from Geba to Beersheba, compare Zechariah 14:10; situated south of pass of Michmash Isaiah 10:29; 1 Samuel 14:5 compare 1 Samuel 13:3; mentioned also 2Chronicles 16:6; Ezra 2:26; Nehemiah 7:30; Nehemiah 12:29; in 1 Samuel 13:18 ᵐ5 We Dr read הַגֶּבַע for ᵑ0 גְּבוּל q. v.; (2Samuel 5:25 read גבעון with ᵐ5 and 1 Chronicles 14:16). — Modern Jeba` RobBR i. 440 f. BdPal 120. Topical Lexicon Name and Geographic Setting Geba, literally “the hill,” lay on the northern border of Benjamin, immediately opposite Michmash, with the deep Wadi es-Suwaineit (the ravine of Michmash) between them. Its elevation gave the town a commanding view of the main north–south route that ran from the hill country down to Jericho and up toward Bethel. Modern identification points to Jebaʽ, about six miles northeast of Jerusalem. The city’s placement on the border made it a sentinel over the approaches to the Judean capital and a natural military outpost throughout Israel’s history. Historical Overview in Joshua and Judges • In Joshua 18:24 Geba appears among the towns allotted to Benjamin as the tribal territories were being finalized. These early notices establish Geba as a settled Benjaminite community from the moment Israel took firm possession of Canaan. Levitical and Priestly Associations Because of its strategic location and accessibility to Jerusalem, Geba was assigned to the sons of Aaron (Joshua 21:17; 1 Chronicles 6:60). Its priestly residents ensured that true worship and teaching were available on Benjamin’s northern frontier. The Levitical status likely contributed to its later prominence in reforms and restorations. Strategic Military Importance in the Monarchy 1. Saul and Jonathan. “Jonathan attacked the Philistine garrison that was at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it” (1 Samuel 13:3). The Philistines had planted an outpost at Geba to control the high-country passes; Jonathan’s bold assault signaled Israel’s determination to reclaim the strategic ridge. 2. David. After defeating the Philistines, David “struck them from Geba as far as Gezer” (2 Samuel 5:25), again showing the town as a launching point for pushing invaders out of the hill country. 3. Asa of Judah. When King Baasha of Israel fortified Ramah to blockade Judah, Asa dismantled the fortifications and used the stones “to build Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah” (1 Kings 15:22; paralleled in 2 Chronicles 16:6). Strengthening Geba served Judah’s defensive strategy and prevented future incursions. 4. Josiah. In purging idolatry, Josiah “brought all the priests from the cities of Judah and defiled the high places from Geba to Beersheba” (2 Kings 23:8), marking Geba as the northern boundary of his reform within Judah proper. Covenant Faithfulness and Prophetic Warnings Isaiah portrays the relentless march of the Assyrian army moving southward toward Jerusalem: “They have crossed over the pass; they lodge at Geba for the night” (Isaiah 10:29). The prophet’s itinerary confirms Geba’s role as the final northern checkpoint before the invaders would threaten the holy city. Zechariah later pictures the messianic transformation of the land: “All the land will be changed into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem” (Zechariah 14:10). In both passages Geba sets the geographic marker for the extent of divine judgment and ultimate restoration. Post-Exilic Restorations • Returning exiles from Geba numbered 621 (Ezra 2:26; Nehemiah 7:30), showing that the town maintained a distinct identity despite deportation. Theological and Ministry Reflections 1. Faith confronts oppression. Jonathan’s raid demonstrates that courage grounded in trust can dislodge entrenched strongholds, encouraging believers to confront spiritual opposition with confidence in God’s sovereignty. Key References Joshua 18:24; 21:17 1 Samuel 13:3, 16; 14:5 1 Chronicles 6:60; 8:6 Nehemiah 7:30; 11:31; 12:29 Forms and Transliterations בְּגֶ֔בַע בְּגֶ֣בַע בגבע גֶ֔בַע גֶּ֖בַע גֶּ֤בַע גֶּ֥בַע גָּֽבַע׃ גבע גבע׃ וָגָ֑בַע וָגָ֔בַע וגבע לְגֶ֣בַע לגבע מִגֶּ֖בַע מִגֶּ֣בַע מִגָּ֑בַע מגבע bə·ḡe·ḇa‘ bəḡeḇa‘ beGeva gā·ḇa‘ gāḇa‘ Gava ge·ḇa‘ ḡe·ḇa‘ geḇa‘ ḡeḇa‘ Geva lə·ḡe·ḇa‘ ləḡeḇa‘ leGeva mig·gā·ḇa‘ mig·ge·ḇa‘ miggāḇa‘ migGava miggeḇa‘ migGeva vaGava wā·ḡā·ḇa‘ wāḡāḇa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 18:24 HEB: ק) וְהָֽעָפְנִ֖י וָגָ֑בַע עָרִ֥ים שְׁתֵּים־ NAS: and Ophni and Geba; twelve KJV: and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve INT: Chefar-haamonai and Ophni and Geba cities both Joshua 21:17 Judges 20:10 1 Samuel 13:3 1 Samuel 13:16 1 Samuel 14:5 2 Samuel 5:25 1 Kings 15:22 2 Kings 23:8 1 Chronicles 6:60 1 Chronicles 8:6 2 Chronicles 16:6 Ezra 2:26 Nehemiah 7:30 Nehemiah 11:31 Nehemiah 12:29 Isaiah 10:29 Zechariah 14:10 18 Occurrences |
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