גֵּבִים
Gebim, a place in Palestine
Definition
Gebim is a proper noun referring to a specific location in ancient Palestine, mentioned only once in the Old Testament. The name itself is the plural form of the Hebrew word for 'cistern' or 'pit' (gev), suggesting a place characterized by water reservoirs or depressions in the land. In its sole biblical appearance, Gebim is listed among the towns north of Jerusalem that would be bypassed or threatened during a military advance from the north (Isaiah 10:31). As a place name, it carries no other distinct meanings or senses in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
The word גֵּבִים (Gebim) is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Isaiah 10:31. It appears in a prophetic oracle of judgment, within a list of towns (including Madmenah, Gebim, Ramah, Gibeah of Saul, and Gallim) that are in the path of an advancing Assyrian army marching toward Jerusalem. Its usage is strictly geographical, serving to specify a location on the route of invasion.
Etymology
Gebim is the masculine plural form of the Hebrew noun גֵּב (gev, H1356), which means 'cistern,' 'ditch,' or 'pit.' The name therefore translates literally as 'cisterns' or 'pits.' This suggests the location was likely known for its water-collection features, a common and vital characteristic for settlements in the arid regions of Palestine. The derivation indicates a descriptive place name based on a prominent geographical characteristic.
Semantic Range
As a place name meaning 'cisterns,' Gebim reflects the critical importance of water management in ancient Israelite culture. Settlements often derived their names from local landmarks or resources essential for survival. A town named for its cisterns would have been strategically located near a reliable water source, making it a viable community and potentially a waypoint on a travel route. Its mention in Isaiah 10:31, a list of Judahite towns, places it within the cultural and political sphere of the Kingdom of Judah during the 8th century BCE.
בּוֹר (bor, H953) — a general term for pit, cistern, or dungeon, often dug for water but also used as a prison. גֶּבֶא (geve', H1360) — another term for a pit or reservoir, sometimes for collecting water.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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