Lexical Summary Gichon: Gihon Original Word: גִּיחוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gihon Or (shortened) Gichown {ghee-khone'}; from giyach; stream; Gichon, a river of Paradise; also a valley (or pool) near Jerusalem -- Gihon. see HEBREW giyach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom giach Definition "a bursting forth," one of the rivers of Eden, also a spring near Jer. NASB Translation Gihon (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs גִּיחוֺן proper name, of a river (a bursting forth) — 1 one of the rivers of Eden Genesis 2:13 (on theories of identity see Commentaries; also SmithDict. Bible Schaff-HerzogArt. Eden SpurrellText of Gen. on the passage RiHWB). 2 spring of water near Jerusalem: גִּחוֺן 1 Kings 1:33,38,45, מֵימֵי גִיחוֺן הָעֶלְיוֺן2Chronicles 32:30, לְגִיחוֺן בַּנַּחַל2Chronicles 33:14; — there are two main theories as to locality: a. west of Jerusalem, connected with Birket Mamilla, and aqueduct into city RobBR i. 239, 345 ff. SurveyJerusalem and others; b. east of Jerusalem = Fountain of the Virgin, FurrerSchenkel BL ii. 483 BdPal 101, or Siloah water-system GutheZPV, v., 1882, 359 ff. גֵּיחֲזִי see below גַּיְא. Topical Lexicon Identification and General Overview Gihon designates both a primeval river flowing from Eden and the principal spring supplying Jerusalem. Though separated by millennia and geography, the two share imagery of life-giving abundance under God’s providence. Occurrences in Scripture Genesis 2:13; 1 Kings 1:33, 1 Kings 1:38, 1 Kings 1:45; 2 Chronicles 32:30; 2 Chronicles 33:14. Gihon in Eden (Genesis 2:13) “The name of the second river is Gihon; it winds through the whole land of Cush.” (Genesis 2:13) As one of four rivers of Eden, Gihon symbolizes God’s original generosity toward humanity, joining Pishon, Tigris, and Euphrates in nourishing the garden. Its mention anchors the creation narrative in real geography while hinting at a completeness that humanity later forfeited through sin. Gihon in Jerusalem 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles situate Gihon on Jerusalem’s eastern slope, just outside the City of David. Archaeology identifies it with the karstic “Gihon Spring,” whose intermittent gushes match the root idea of bursting forth. Anointing of Solomon (1 Kings 1) When Adonijah sought the throne, David sent Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah to proclaim Solomon at Gihon: “Have my son Solomon mount my own mule, and take him down to Gihon.” (1 Kings 1:33) “Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon.” (1 Kings 1:45) The site’s fresh waters provided both practical gathering space and symbolic validation—living water affirming the legitimacy of David’s chosen heir. The jubilant procession from Gihon to the throne prefigures the greater Son of David, later hailed beside the same slope (Matthew 21:9). Hezekiah’s Tunnel and National Deliverance (2 Chronicles 32:30) “It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the waters of the Gihon and channeled them down to the west side of the City of David.” (2 Chronicles 32:30) Facing Assyrian invasion, Hezekiah engineered a 533-meter tunnel to secure Gihon’s flow inside the fortified city, preserving life during siege. The feat illustrates godly leadership coupling prayer with prudent action (2 Chronicles 32:20–21). The inscription discovered in 1880 within the tunnel corroborates the biblical account. Manasseh’s Restoration (2 Chronicles 33:14) “Afterward, he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David west of Gihon in the valley…” (2 Chronicles 33:14) Manasseh, once notorious for idolatry, strengthened defenses around Gihon following his repentance. The spring thus appears in a narrative of divine mercy, showing how genuine contrition can restore both leader and land. Geographical and Archaeological Notes • Location: eastern slope of the Kidron Valley, just below the Temple Mount’s southern spur. Theological Themes 1. Provision: Gihon’s waters sustain Eden, monarchy, and citizenry, reflecting Jehovah Jireh. Practical Ministry Applications • Leaders should couple faith with wise planning, as Hezekiah did. Summary From the garden’s river to Jerusalem’s spring, Gihon threads Scripture with a testament to God’s sustaining, legitimizing, and redeeming power. Forms and Transliterations בְּגִח֗וֹן בגחון גִּחֽוֹן׃ גִּיח֑וֹן גִיחוֹן֙ גחון׃ גיחון לְגִיח֨וֹן לגיחון bə·ḡi·ḥō·wn begiChon bəḡiḥōwn gi·ḥō·wn gî·ḥō·wn ḡî·ḥō·wn giChon giḥōwn gîḥōwn ḡîḥōwn lə·ḡî·ḥō·wn legiChon ləḡîḥōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 2:13 HEB: הַנָּהָ֥ר הַשֵּׁנִ֖י גִּיח֑וֹן ה֣וּא הַסּוֹבֵ֔ב NAS: river is Gihon; it flows around KJV: river [is] Gihon: the same [is] it that compasseth INT: river of the second is Gihon he through 1 Kings 1:33 1 Kings 1:38 1 Kings 1:45 2 Chronicles 32:30 2 Chronicles 33:14 6 Occurrences |
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