Lexical Summary Gederoth: Gederoth Original Word: גְּדֵרוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gederoth Plural of gderah; walls; Gederoth, a place in Palestine -- Gederoth. see HEBREW gderah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gadar Definition "walls," a place in Judah NASB Translation Gederoth (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs גְּדֵרוֺת proper name, of a location in Judah Joshua 15:41; ׳הַגְּ2Chronicles 28:18. Topical Lexicon Location and Geographic Setting Gederoth lay in the Shephelah—the fertile lowland between the Judean hill country and the Mediterranean coastal plain. Its inclusion among the “fourteen cities with their villages” assigned to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:41) places it in the southern cluster bordering Philistine territory. The name suggests “stone fences” or “enclosures,” fitting a pastoral region where livestock were protected by walled folds and vineyards by terraced walls. Biblical Occurrences Joshua 15:41 lists Gederoth with Azekah, Mareshah, and other fortified sites marking Judah’s western frontier. Centuries later, during the reign of King Ahaz, Philistines swept through this same border zone: “The Philistines…captured Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soco with its villages… and they settled there” (2 Chronicles 28:18). These two references frame Gederoth’s story—from initial allotment to foreign occupation—highlighting the covenant people’s responsibility to secure their inheritance. Historical Context 1. Conquest and Settlement: Following the Lord’s command, Judah received territory stretching to the sea. Towns like Gederoth served as agricultural hubs and military outposts, safeguarding trade routes toward the Philistine pentapolis. Theological Significance • Covenant Boundaries: Gederoth represents the tangible fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18–21) and a warning that unbelief can jeopardize covenant blessings (Deuteronomy 28:25). Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship 1. Guard the Borders: Just as Gederoth lay on a strategic frontier, believers are called to watch over the boundaries of doctrine and conduct (2 Timothy 1:14). Neglect invites spiritual Philistines. Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Insights Tell el-Juded (Khirbet Jedireh) and Tel Qatra have been proposed as possible sites, each showing Iron Age fortifications and agricultural installations consistent with an enclosure-oriented settlement. Pottery horizons and Philistine bichrome ware lend credence to occupation during both the monarchic period and the years of Philistine advance described in Chronicles. Prophetic and Typological Considerations Gederoth’s breached walls foreshadow the condition of post-exilic Jerusalem, whose broken defenses stirred Nehemiah’s rebuilding mission (Nehemiah 2:17). The contrast underscores God’s purpose to restore and secure His people, culminating in the Messiah who Himself is the gate and the wall of salvation (John 10:9; Revelation 21:12–14). Summary Gederoth, obscure yet instructive, stands as a witness to covenant gift, human frailty, and divine faithfulness. Its rise and fall urge the people of God in every generation to fortify their heritage by steadfast trust in the Lord, the true Builder and Keeper of all enclosures. Forms and Transliterations הַגְּדֵר֗וֹת הגדרות וּגְדֵר֕וֹת וגדרות hag·gə·ḏê·rō·wṯ haggedeRot haggəḏêrōwṯ ū·ḡə·ḏê·rō·wṯ ugedeRot ūḡəḏêrōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 15:41 HEB: וּגְדֵר֕וֹת בֵּית־ דָּג֥וֹן NAS: and Gederoth, Beth-dagon and Naamah KJV: And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, INT: and Gederoth Beth-dagon and Naamah 2 Chronicles 28:18 2 Occurrences |
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