Geshuri refers to the inhabitants of the region known as Geshur, a small Aramean kingdom located in the northeastern part of ancient Israel, near the region of Bashan and the Sea of Galilee. The Geshurites are mentioned several times in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of territorial boundaries and interactions with the Israelites.

Biblical References:

1. Territorial Boundaries:
The Geshurites are first mentioned in the context of the land that the Israelites were to possess. In Joshua 13:2-3, the land of the Geshurites is listed among the territories that remained unconquered by the Israelites: "This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and the Geshurites." This indicates that the Geshurites maintained their independence and were not fully integrated into the Israelite territory during the initial conquests.

2. David's Connection to Geshur:
A significant mention of Geshur is found in the narrative of King David. David married Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, as recorded in 2 Samuel 3:3: "His second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third was Absalom the son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur." This marriage alliance indicates a political relationship between David and the kingdom of Geshur.

3. Absalom's Exile:
The connection between David and Geshur is further highlighted in the account of Absalom, David's son. After Absalom killed his brother Amnon, he fled to Geshur and stayed there for three years, as noted in 2 Samuel 13:37-38: "Now Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But David mourned for his son every day. After Absalom had fled and gone to Geshur, he stayed there three years." This period of exile underscores the refuge that Geshur provided to Absalom, likely due to the familial ties through his mother, Maacah.

4. Military Campaigns:
The Geshurites are also mentioned in the context of military campaigns. In 1 Samuel 27:8, David, while living among the Philistines, conducted raids against various groups, including the Geshurites: "Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. From ancient times these peoples had inhabited the land extending to Shur and Egypt." This indicates that the Geshurites were considered adversaries or targets during this period.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The Geshurites, as an Aramean people, were part of the broader cultural and ethnic landscape of the ancient Near East. Their kingdom, though small, played a role in the regional dynamics, particularly through alliances and conflicts with neighboring entities, including Israel. The marriage alliance between David and the royal family of Geshur suggests a diplomatic relationship that was not uncommon in the ancient world, where marriages were often used to secure political alliances and peace treaties.

The Geshurites' continued presence and interactions with Israel highlight the complex and often contentious relationships between the Israelites and the surrounding nations. Despite their relatively minor role in the biblical narrative, the Geshurites exemplify the intricate web of political, familial, and military connections that characterized the ancient Near Eastern world.1651. Geshuri -- inhab. of Geshur, also a people South of ...
... Geshuri. 1652 . inhab. of Geshur, also a people South of Philistia. Transliteration:
Geshuri Phonetic Spelling: (ghe-shoo-ree') Short Definition: Geshurites. ...
/hebrew/1651.htm - 6kGeshuri (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Geshuri (2 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair
the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, to the ...
/g/geshuri.htm - 7k

Geshur (11 Occurrences)
... In the catalogue of land still to be possessed in Joshua 13:2, the King James Version
reads "Geshuri," the Revised Version (British and American) "the ...
/g/geshur.htm - 13k

Geshurites (6 Occurrences)
...Geshuri in Joshua 13:2 should be "the Geshurite," not the Geshurites mentioned in
ver. ... GESHURITES. gesh'-u-rits, ge-shoo'-rits (geshuri). See preceding article. ...
/g/geshurites.htm - 9k

Borders (104 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob, to the
borders of Geshuri, and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashan ...
/b/borders.htm - 40k

Geshurite (4 Occurrences)

/g/geshurite.htm - 7k

Maachathi (1 Occurrence)
... Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the
coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name ...
/m/maachathi.htm - 6k

Bashan-havoth-jair (1 Occurrence)
... Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob, to the
borders of Geshuri, and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashan ...
/b/bashan-havoth-jair.htm - 7k

Bashanhavothjair (1 Occurrence)
... Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the
coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name ...
/b/bashanhavothjair.htm - 6k

Circuits (4 Occurrences)
... infirmity. (WEY). Joshua 13:2 This 'is' the land that is left; all the circuits
of the Philistines, and all Geshuri, (YLT). Ecclesiastes ...
/c/circuits.htm - 7k

Ashhur (2 Occurrences)
... the list of Ish-bosheth's subjects (2 Samuel 2:9). The Syriac, Arabic, and Vulgate
(Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) versions read ha-geshuri, "the Geshurites ...
/a/ashhur.htm - 8k

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