Lexical Summary Gath: Gath Original Word: גַּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gath The same as gath; Gath, a Philistine city -- Gath. see HEBREW gath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as gath Definition "wine press," a Philistine city NASB Translation Gath (32). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. גַּת proper name, of a location (wine-press) — Philistine city ᵐ5 Γεθ, ᵑ9 Geth, JosAnt. vi. 12, 2 etc., Γιττα (ed. Niese), exact site unknown (see GASmGeog. 194 ff.), named with Gaza and Ashdod Joshua 11:22 as home of remaining `Anakim; named with Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon and `Ekron 1 Samuel 6:17; with Ashkelon 1 Samuel 1:20; with Ashkelon, yabne and Ashdod 2Chronicles 26:6; מֵעֶקְרוֺן וְעַדגַּֿת 1 Samuel 7:14, compare 1 Samuel 17:52b and also 1 Samuel 17:52a (read גַּת for גַּיְא ᵐ5 We Dr); called גַּת מְּלִשְׁתִּים Amos 6:2; built up by Rehoboam, according to 2Chronicles 11:8; taken by Hazael 2 Kings 12:18; also 1 Samuel 5:8; 1 Samuel 17:4,23 (of Goliath), compare 2 Samuel 21:20,22 = 1 Chronicles 20:6,8; 1 Samuel 21:11; 1 Samuel 21:13; 1 Samuel 27:2,3,4,11; 2 Samuel 15:18; 1 Kings 2:39 (twice in verse); 1 Kings 2:40,41; Psalm 56:1; Micah 1:10,14; 1 Chronicles 7:21; 1 Chronicles 8:13, also 1 Chronicles 18:1 (but "" מֶתֶג אַמָּה 2 Samuel 8:1; on change of this into reading in Chronicles see We); with ה locative, גַּ֫תָּה 1 Kings 2:40. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Gath (גַּת) means “winepress,” a term that became the fixed name of one of the five principal Philistine cities. The imagery of a winepress—where grapes are crushed—aptly foreshadows the repeated crushing of Gath under the hand of the LORD through Israel and other nations. Geographical Location Situated on the western edge of the Shephelah, Gath stood roughly midway between Ashdod and Jerusalem, commanding the coastal highway as well as the valley routes that rise toward Judah’s highlands. Most scholars identify the site with Tell es-Safi, whose massive fortifications, iron-age strata, and destruction layers accord with the biblical record. Role in the Philistine Pentapolis Alongside Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Ekron, Gath formed part of the Philistine pentapolis (Joshua 13:3). Each city had its own “lord,” yet they acted in concert when facing Israel (1 Samuel 6:17). Gath’s strategic inland position made it both a buffer against Judah and a launch point for raids into the hill country. Early Biblical References • Conquest Era: “Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did any [Anakim] remain” (Joshua 11:22). Giants survived where Israel failed to drive them out, leaving pockets of resistance that would later threaten the covenant people. The Ark in Gath After the plague in Ashdod, Philistine leaders moved the captured ark to Gath. “After they had moved it, the hand of the LORD was against the city… He afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, and an outbreak of tumors broke out on them” (1 Samuel 5:8-9). The episode demonstrates divine supremacy over pagan territory and foreshadows Gath’s vulnerability regardless of military stature. Gath and the Giant Clan Goliath (1 Samuel 17:4) and his kin—Lahmi (1 Chronicles 20:5) and an unnamed six-fingered warrior (1 Chronicles 20:6)—are called “Gittites.” Their defeat at the hands of David and his men shows that physical might cannot withstand covenant faith. Joshua’s incomplete conquest (Joshua 11:22) meets its resolution under David’s reign. David’s Encounters with Gath 1. Refuge with Achish: David fled to “Achish king of Gath” (1 Samuel 21:10), feigned insanity, then later returned with six hundred men (1 Samuel 27:2). His presence there highlights the complexity of God’s providence—protection arising even within enemy strongholds. Gath under the Divided Monarchy • Rehoboam fortified Gath (2 Chronicles 11:8), indicating a period of Judean control. Prophetic Uses • Amos 6:2 calls Israel to “go down to Gath of the Philistines” and consider its downfall, a sober warning of impending judgment. Archaeological Corroboration Excavations at Tell es-Safi have uncovered massive 10th-century-BC fortifications, metallurgical installations, and destruction layers dated to the late 9th century, matching the biblically reported campaigns of Hazael and Uzziah. Objects inscribed with the name “’ḡt” (Gath) and weights using Philistine scripts further validate the site. Ministry and Theological Significance 1. God’s Sovereignty over Nations: The repeated rises and falls of Gath bear witness to the LORD’s rule, reinforcing confidence that no earthly stronghold can resist His purpose. Principal Occurrences Joshua 11:22; Joshua 13:3; Joshua 15:47 1 Samuel 5:8-10; 1 Samuel 17:4, 23; 1 Samuel 21:10-15; 1 Samuel 27:2-4 2 Samuel 1:20; 2 Samuel 6:10-11 (Obed-Edom the Gittite); 2 Samuel 15:18-22 1 Chronicles 18:1; 1 Chronicles 20:5-8 2 Chronicles 11:8; 2 Chronicles 26:6 From conquest to prophecy, Gath functions as a recurring stage upon which the LORD displays judgment and grace, ultimately pointing to the universal reign of the Messiah who defeats every “giant” that opposes His redeemed people. Forms and Transliterations בְּגַ֑ת בְּגַ֛ת בְּגַ֥ת בְּגַֽת׃ בְּגַת֙ בְגַ֔ת בגת בגת׃ גַּ֑ת גַּ֔ת גַּ֖ת גַּ֗ת גַּ֙תָה֙ גַּ֣ת גַּ֥ת גַּֽת׃ גַֽת׃ גַת֙ גַת־ גת גת־ גת׃ גתה לְגַ֥ת לגת מִגַּ֑ת מִגַּ֔ת מִגַּֽת׃ מִגַּת֙ מגת מגת׃ bə·ḡaṯ ḇə·ḡaṯ beGat bəḡaṯ ḇəḡaṯ ga·ṯāh gat gaṯ ḡaṯ ḡaṯ- gatah gaṯāh lə·ḡaṯ leGat ləḡaṯ mig·gaṯ migGat miggaṯ veGatLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 11:22 HEB: רַ֗ק בְּעַזָּ֛ה בְּגַ֥ת וּבְאַשְׁדּ֖וֹד נִשְׁאָֽרוּ׃ NAS: in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod KJV: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, INT: in Gaza Gath Ashdod remained 1 Samuel 5:8 1 Samuel 6:17 1 Samuel 7:14 1 Samuel 17:4 1 Samuel 17:23 1 Samuel 17:52 1 Samuel 21:11 1 Samuel 21:13 1 Samuel 27:2 1 Samuel 27:3 1 Samuel 27:4 1 Samuel 27:11 2 Samuel 1:20 2 Samuel 15:18 2 Samuel 21:20 2 Samuel 21:22 1 Kings 2:39 1 Kings 2:39 1 Kings 2:40 1 Kings 2:40 1 Kings 2:41 2 Kings 12:17 1 Chronicles 7:21 1 Chronicles 8:13 33 Occurrences |
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