Lexical Summary gub: Pit, cistern Original Word: גּוּב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance husbandman A primitive root; to dig -- husbandman. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originanother reading for yagab, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs [גּוּב] verb dig (compare Arabic  pierce, bore, hollow out) — Qal Participle גָּבִים diggers or plough-men 2 Kings 25:12 Kt; but compare Qr יֹגְּבִים as Jeremiah 52:16 (see יגב), and see גֵּב below Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence 2 Kings 25:12 records the only appearance of גּוּב. In the aftermath of Jerusalem’s fall, “the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and farmers” (Berean Standard Bible). Here the term denotes those who cultivate or dig the soil—ordinary agricultural laborers entrusted with the basic task of keeping the land productive after the Babylonian deportation. Historical Setting When Nebuchadnezzar’s forces destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, the vast majority of skilled workers, artisans, and leaders were removed (2 Kings 24:14; Jeremiah 52:28-30). By contrast, the remaining rural poor, identified as vinedressers and גּוּב-workers, were allowed to stay. Their presence prevented the land from lying fallow, preserved Babylon’s economic interest in Judah’s produce, and ensured that remnants of Israelite society continued to inhabit the covenant land (Leviticus 26:33-35 anticipated such desolation if the people persisted in sin). Theological Significance 1. Divine Preservation. Although imperial policy motivated the Babylonians, Scripture consistently presents God as sovereign over historical events (Isaiah 10:5-7; Daniel 2:21). By leaving agriculturalists in Judah, the Lord preserved a remnant from which post-exilic restoration would arise (Ezra 1:1-5; Haggai 1:12-14). Socio-Economic Perspective The poorest of the land gained unexpected stewardship. Their work sustained life and maintained Israel’s ancestral allotments, preventing total absorption into surrounding nations. While politically powerless, they became custodians of God’s physical promises, reminding later generations that faithfulness is not measured by social status but by obedience in whatever sphere God assigns (1 Corinthians 7:17-24). Ministry Applications • Value of Humble Service: גּוּב spotlights unnoticed labor that preserves community life. Modern ministry must honor those who quietly sustain congregational and societal wellbeing (Romans 12:4-8). Christological Reflection Jesus often employed agricultural imagery—sowing, harvesting, vine-dressing (John 15:1-8; Luke 8:5-15). He identified Himself with laborers in the field and promised that meek inheritors would possess the earth (Matthew 5:5). The גּוּב-workers foreshadow this pattern: humble guardians of the land pointing forward to the Servant-King who secures the ultimate restoration of creation (Romans 8:19-23; Revelation 21:1-5). Summary Though גּוּב appears only once, it encapsulates themes of remnant preservation, the dignity of humble labor, and the steadfast faithfulness of God amid judgment. The solitary reference in 2 Kings 25:12 stands as a testimony that even minimal biblical data contributes richly to the unfolding account of redemption. Forms and Transliterations וּלְיֹגְבִֽים׃ וליגבים׃ ū·lə·yō·ḡə·ḇîm ūləyōḡəḇîm uleyogeVimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 25:12 HEB: טַבָּחִ֑ים לְכֹֽרְמִ֖ים וּלְיֹגְבִֽים׃ INT: of the guard to be vinedressers husbandman 1 Occurrence |
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