Lexical Summary Gilboa: Gilboa Original Word: גִּלְבֹּעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gilboa From gal and ba'ah; fountain of ebullition; Gilboa, a mountain of Palestine -- Gilboa. see HEBREW gal see HEBREW ba'ah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a mountain in N. Isr. NASB Translation Gilboa (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs גִּלְבֹּעַ proper name, of a location Gilboa` (derivation unknown), mountain-ridge at southeast end of plain of Jezreel, where Saul & Jonathan were killed; usually with article ׳הַר הַגּ 1 Samuel 31:1,8; 2 Samuel 1:6; הָרֵי בַּגִּלְבֹּעַ 2 Samuel 1:21 (David's lament); ׳בַּגּ alone 1 Samuel 28:4; 2 Samuel 21:12; without article הַר גִּלְבֹּעַ 1 Chronicles 10:1,8 ("" 1 Samuel 31:1,8 above); — modern Jebel Fu‡û±a BdPal 244. גַּלְגַּל, גִּלְגָּל, גֻּלְֹגּלֶת see below גלל. גלד (√ of following meaning dubious perhaps compare Ethiopic Topical Lexicon Location and Physical Characteristics Mount Gilboa is a limestone ridge forming the southeastern rim of the Jezreel Valley, stretching roughly eleven miles. Rising to about 1,650 feet (503 m), it commands strategic views toward Beth-shan to the east, Shunem to the northwest, and the Jordan Rift. Fertile valleys surround its flanks, yet the crest is rocky and often dry—an enduring reminder of David’s malediction, “O mountains of Gilboa, may no dew or rain fall on you, or fields of offerings” (2 Samuel 1:21). Key Scriptural Moments • 1 Samuel 28:4 – The Philistines occupied Shunem, while “Saul gathered all Israel, and they camped on Gilboa.” Here the king’s final night of fear led him to the medium at Endor, marking the spiritual low point of his reign. • 1 Samuel 31:1–6 – On the slopes of Gilboa the Philistines “struck down Saul and his sons” (verse 2). Mortally wounded, Saul fell on his own sword, and Israel’s army fled. The mountain thus became synonymous with national defeat and covenantal judgment. • 1 Samuel 31:8 – The next day the enemy stripped the corpses, displaying Saul’s armor in the temple of Ashtaroth and fastening his body to the wall of Beth-shan. Gilboa is therefore linked with the shame that follows rebellion against the LORD. • 2 Samuel 1:6, 21 – News of the disaster reached David, inspiring the elegy that forever ties “the mountains of Gilboa” to sorrow over Jonathan and the fallen king. • 2 Samuel 21:12–14 – Years later David retrieved the bones of Saul and Jonathan “from the men of Jabesh-gilead,” who had taken them “from the public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck them down on Gilboa.” Their honorable reburial closed the narrative of judgment and restored dignity to Israel’s first monarchy. • 1 Chronicles 10:1, 8 echoes the Samuel accounts, confirming the historicity of the location and event. Historical and Strategic Significance Gilboa’s elevation offered a natural fortress for Israel against incursions from the coastal plain. Yet the same vantage attracted the Philistines, who exploited the valley routes for chariot warfare. Gilboa thus illustrates the tension between human strategy and divine favor: topography could not compensate for Saul’s breach of faith (1 Samuel 28:6, 15). Prophetic and Poetic Echoes David’s lament (2 Samuel 1:17–27) transforms Gilboa into a theological symbol. The plea for perpetual aridity conveys more than grief; it represents the withdrawal of the Lord’s blessing from a place where His anointed fell in disobedience. Centuries later the range still appears barren on its upper slopes, offering a visible sermon on sin’s cost. Theological and Ministry Insights 1. Consequences of Disobedience: Gilboa underscores that position and prior victories cannot shield a leader who departs from God’s Word. Church shepherds must heed Saul’s warning lest ministry fall in like manner. 2. Covenant Loyalty: The men of Jabesh-gilead risked their lives to rescue Saul’s remains (1 Samuel 31:12–13). Their deed models covenant faithfulness, urging believers to honor even flawed authorities for the Lord’s sake. 3. Godly Grief: David’s public lament honors both friend and fallen king. Biblical mourning neither denies loss nor compromises truth; it channels sorrow into worship, cultivating hearts that feel what God feels about sin and redemption. 4. Restoration: David’s later act of reburial shows grace triumphing over disgrace. Ministries broken by failure can find dignity restored when brought under righteous leadership and the fear of the Lord. Archaeological and Historical Notes Modern Jebel Fuku’a and its adjoining peaks preserve the ancient name. Springs such as Ein Jalud at the mountain’s base confirm that the region could sustain large forces, matching the biblical description of troop movements. Surveys have unearthed Iron Age fortifications on the ridge, compatible with Israelite occupation during the united monarchy. Cross-References • Jezreel Valley – Hosea 1:4; 2 Kings 9:10 Forms and Transliterations בַּגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃ בַגִּלְבֹּ֗עַ בגלבע בגלבע׃ גִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃ גלבע׃ הַגִּלְבֹּ֔עַ הַגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃ הגלבע הגלבע׃ bag·gil·bō·a‘ ḇag·gil·bō·a‘ baggilBoa baggilbōa‘ ḇaggilbōa‘ gil·bō·a‘ gilBoa gilbōa‘ hag·gil·bō·a‘ haggilBoa haggilbōa‘ vaggilBoaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 28:4 HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃ NAS: together and they camped in Gilboa. KJV: together, and they pitched in Gilboa. INT: Israel camped Gilboa 1 Samuel 31:1 1 Samuel 31:8 2 Samuel 1:6 2 Samuel 1:21 2 Samuel 21:12 1 Chronicles 10:1 1 Chronicles 10:8 8 Occurrences |
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obducere, inducere; Arabic 
scourge).