Biblical Reference:
Gimzo is mentioned in the Old Testament in 2 Chronicles 28:18. The verse states: "The Philistines also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah. They captured and occupied Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their surrounding villages."

Historical Context:
Gimzo was a town located in the territory of Judah, during the period of the divided monarchy in ancient Israel. The mention of Gimzo occurs during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah, a time characterized by political instability and external threats. The Philistines, traditional enemies of Israel, took advantage of the weakened state of Judah under Ahaz's rule to expand their territory, capturing several towns including Gimzo.

Geographical Location:
Gimzo was situated in the Shephelah, the lowland region of Judah, which served as a buffer zone between the coastal plains occupied by the Philistines and the hill country of Judah. This strategic location made it a target for Philistine aggression. The exact location of Gimzo is not definitively known today, but it is believed to have been near the modern village of Jimzu, southeast of the city of Lod in Israel.

Cultural and Agricultural Significance:
The name "Gimzo" is thought to be derived from a Hebrew word meaning "sycamore," suggesting that the area may have been known for its sycamore trees. This agricultural aspect would have contributed to the town's economic value, making it a desirable acquisition for the Philistines.

Theological Implications:
The capture of Gimzo and other towns by the Philistines during Ahaz's reign is often viewed as a consequence of the king's unfaithfulness to God. Ahaz is noted for his idolatrous practices and failure to rely on the Lord, which led to divine judgment in the form of military defeats and territorial losses. The events surrounding Gimzo serve as a reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where obedience brought blessing and disobedience led to discipline.

Archaeological Insights:
While there have been no significant archaeological excavations specifically at Gimzo, the broader region of the Shephelah has yielded findings that illuminate the period's historical and cultural context. Artifacts and remains from nearby sites provide insights into the life and times of the inhabitants of Judah during the era of the divided kingdom.

Summary:
Gimzo's brief mention in the biblical narrative highlights the geopolitical challenges faced by the kingdom of Judah during the reign of Ahaz. Its capture by the Philistines underscores the consequences of turning away from God and serves as a historical marker of the tumultuous period in Judah's history.Gimzo

that bulrush

Gimzo

(fertile in sycamores), a town which with its dependent villages was taken possession of by the Philistines in the reign of Ahaz. (2 Chronicles 28:18) The name (Jimzu) still remains attached to a large village between two and three miles southwest of Lydda, south of the road between Jerusalem and Jaffa.

A place fertile in sycamores, a city in the plain of Judah, the villages of which were seized by the Philistines (2 Chronicles 28:18). It is now called Jimzu, about 3 miles south-east of Ludd, i.e., Lydda. GIMZO

gim'-zo (gimzo; Gamzo): A town of Judah on the border of the Philistine plain, captured by the Philistines in the days of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:18). It is the modern Jimzu, a small mud village about 3 1/2 miles Southeast of Ludd (Lydda), on the old mule road from there to Jerusalem (Robinson, BR, II, 248-49;. SWP, Il, 297).

1579. Gimzo -- a city in Judah
... 1578, 1579. Gimzo. 1580 . a city in Judah. Transliteration: Gimzo Phonetic
Spelling: (ghim-zo') Short Definition: Gimzo. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/1579.htm - 5kGimzo (1 Occurrence)
...GIMZO. gim'-zo (gimzo; Gamzo): A town of Judah on the border of the Philistine plain,
captured by the Philistines in the days of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:18). ...
/g/gimzo.htm - 7k

Gin (10 Occurrences)

/g/gin.htm - 12k

Gederoth (2 Occurrences)
... lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, and Aijalon, and
Gederoth, and Soco with its towns, and Timnah with its towns, Gimzo also and ...
/g/gederoth.htm - 7k

Gede'roth (2 Occurrences)
... the South of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Aijalon, and Gederoth, and Soco
with the towns thereof, and Timnah with the towns thereof, Gimzo also and ...
/g/gede'roth.htm - 7k

Gimel (1 Occurrence)

/g/gimel.htm - 7k

Invaded (20 Occurrences)
... lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, and Aijalon, and
Gederoth, and Soco with its towns, and Timnah with its towns, Gimzo also and ...
/i/invaded.htm - 12k

Foothills (19 Occurrences)
... lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, and Aijalon, and
Gederoth, and Soco with its towns, and Timnah with its towns, Gimzo also and ...
/f/foothills.htm - 12k

Raids (4 Occurrences)
... lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, and Aijalon, and
Gederoth, and Soco with its towns, and Timnah with its towns, Gimzo also and ...
/r/raids.htm - 7k

Raided (6 Occurrences)
... lowland, and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, and Aijalon, and
Gederoth, and Soco with its towns, and Timnah with its towns, Gimzo also and ...
/r/raided.htm - 8k

Daughter-towns (17 Occurrences)
... the lowlands and the south of Judah, had taken Beth-shemesh and Aijalon and Gederoth
and Soco, with their daughter-towns, as well as Timnah and Gimzo and their ...
/d/daughter-towns.htm - 12k

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