The Geshurites were an ancient people mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the region of Geshur, located in the northeastern part of the land of Israel, near the borders of Bashan and Aram (modern-day Syria). The Geshurites are noted for their interactions with the Israelites during the period of the conquest and the monarchy.

Biblical References:

1. Territorial Context:
The Geshurites inhabited a region that was part of the land promised to the Israelites. In Joshua 13:2-3, the Geshurites are listed among the peoples whose lands were yet to be conquered: "This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and the Geshurites." Their territory was situated near the land of the Philistines and extended toward the northeast.

2. David's Connection:
One of the most notable mentions of the Geshurites is in relation to 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 Israel and Geshur during David's reign.

3. Absalom's Exile:
The Geshurites also play a role in the narrative 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."

4. Military Campaigns:
The Geshurites were among the peoples attacked by David during his time as a fugitive from King Saul. In 1 Samuel 27:8, it is recorded: "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."

Cultural and Historical Context:

The Geshurites were a small Aramean kingdom, and their interactions with Israel highlight the complex political landscape of the region during the biblical period. The marriage alliance between David and the Geshurite royal family suggests a strategic relationship, possibly aimed at securing peace or mutual defense against common enemies.

The Geshurites' presence in the biblical narrative underscores the diverse ethnic and political entities that surrounded ancient Israel. Their interactions with key biblical figures like David and Absalom provide insight into the diplomatic and familial ties that influenced the history of Israel and its neighbors.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the Geshurites' inclusion in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the broader context of God's promises to Israel regarding the land. Despite the Israelites' failure to fully conquer the land, as seen in the continued presence of groups like the Geshurites, God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine plan remain central themes throughout the biblical text. The Geshurites, like other neighboring peoples, are part of the larger account of Israel's struggle to live in obedience to God's commands and to establish a kingdom that reflects His righteousness and justice.5989. Ammihud -- "my kinsman is majesty," four Israelites, also a ...
... Ammihud. 5990 . "my kinsman is majesty," four Israelites, also a Geshurite.
Transliteration: Ammihud Phonetic Spelling: (am-mee-hood') Short Definition: Ammihud ...
/hebrew/5989.htm - 6k

1650. Geshur -- a territory East of the upper Jordan, also inhab. ...
... Geshur, Geshurite. From an unused root (meaning to join); bridge; Geshur, a district
of Syria -- Geshur, Geshurite. 1649, 1650. Geshur. 1651 . ...
/hebrew/1650.htm - 6k

1651. Geshuri -- inhab. of Geshur, also a people South of ...
... Geshuri, Geshurites. Patrial from Gshuwr; a Geshurite (also collectively) or
inhabitants of Geshur -- Geshuri, Geshurites. see HEBREW Gshuwr. 1650, 1651. ...
/hebrew/1651.htm - 6k

Geshurite (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Geshurite (4 Occurrences). Joshua 12:5 and ruled
in Mount Hermon, and in Salecah, and in all Bashan, to ...
/g/geshurite.htm - 7k

Geshurites (6 Occurrences)
... Geshuri in Joshua 13:2 should be "the Geshurite," not the Geshurites mentioned
in ver. 11, 13, but the tribe mentioned in 1 Samuel 27:8. Int. ...
/g/geshurites.htm - 9k

Geshuri (2 Occurrences)

/g/geshuri.htm - 7k

Gerizite (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Samuel 27:8 and David goeth up and his men, and they push unto the Geshurite,
and the Gerizite, and the Amalekite, (for they are inhabitants of the land from ...
/g/gerizite.htm - 6k

Dispossessed (42 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:13 and the sons of Israel dispossessed not the Geshurite, and the Maachathite;
and Geshur and Maachath dwell in the midst of Israel unto this day. ...
/d/dispossessed.htm - 19k

Push (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 27:8 and David goeth up and his men, and they push unto the Geshurite,
and the Gerizite, and the Amalekite, (for they are inhabitants of the land from ...
/p/push.htm - 14k

Comest (50 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 27:8 and David goeth up and his men, and they push unto the Geshurite,
and the Gerizite, and the Amalekite, (for they are inhabitants of the land from ...
/c/comest.htm - 22k

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