Lexical Summary Geder: Geder Original Word: גֶּדֶר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Geder : the same as geder; Geder, a place in Palestine -- Geder. see HEBREW geder NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gadar Definition a city in Canaan NASB Translation Geder (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גֶּ֫דֶר proper name, of a location Canaanitish city Joshua 12:13. Γαδερ A & ᵐ5L also Euseb LagOnom. 244 2nd ed. 254 = גָּדֵר? LagBN 76; compare גְּדֵרִי below; possibly = בֵּית גָּדֵר 1 Chronicles 2:51. Topical Lexicon Etymological Insight Derived from a root that conveys the idea of enclosing or walling in, “Geder” evokes the image of a strongly fortified place. The name itself hints that the town’s principal feature—and pride—was its defensive wall, a reminder that human security is often placed in stone ramparts rather than in the Lord (see Psalm 127:1). Biblical Occurrence Geder appears only once, in the catalogue of defeated Canaanite kings: “the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one” (Joshua 12:13). In a single verse the city’s monarch, army, and defenses fall before Joshua, demonstrating that no fortress can withstand the advance of God’s covenant promises. Geographic Considerations Though its exact location is uncertain, Geder is generally assigned to the Shephelah or the southern hill country of Judah, not far from Debir. Some identify it with sites such as modern Khirbet Jedur or link it to Gedor or Gederoth, yet none of the proposals is conclusive. Its placement among cities like Debir and Hormah in Joshua 12 suggests a strategic line of strongholds barring access from the coast to the Judean highlands. Role in Israel’s Conquest 1. Tactical Importance: Occupying a fortified ridge, Geder would have controlled local trade routes and served as a staging point for Canaanite resistance. Theological Significance • Supremacy of the Lord: Geder’s wall, no matter how formidable, could not preserve its king from divine judgment, echoing the lesson taught earlier at Jericho. Ministry Applications • Spiritual Strongholds: Believers confront “arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). Geder encourages confidence that entrenched patterns can be demolished when addressed in Christ’s authority. Related Places and Concepts • Gedor (Joshua 15:58) and Gederoth (Joshua 15:41) share the same root and occupy nearby regions. While not identical, they point to a landscape dotted with “walled” sites. In Scripture’s economy, a seemingly obscure town with a single mention becomes a vivid illustration: walls fall, kingdoms crumble, but the word of the Lord stands forever. Forms and Transliterations גֶּ֖דֶר גדר ge·ḏer Geder geḏerLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 12:13 HEB: אֶחָ֔ד מֶ֥לֶךְ גֶּ֖דֶר אֶחָֽד׃ NAS: one; the king of Geder, one; KJV: one; the king of Geder, one; INT: one the king of Geder one |
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