גֶּזֶר
something cut off; a portion
Definition
The Hebrew noun גֶּזֶר (gezer) fundamentally means 'something cut off' or 'a portion.' It refers to a piece or segment that has been separated from a whole, often by a decisive act of cutting. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes a specific, divided portion: in Genesis 15:17, it is one of the 'pieces' of the animals in Abraham's covenant ceremony, and in Psalm 136:13, it refers to the divided 'parts' of the Red Sea during the Exodus. The meaning remains consistent across both contexts, emphasizing a distinct, separated part resulting from a powerful, dividing action.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in poetic or narrative contexts describing a dramatic division. In Genesis 15:17, it appears in the solemn covenant ritual where a smoking firepot passes between the 'pieces' (גְּזָרִים) of sacrificed animals. In Psalm 136:13, it poetically describes God dividing the Red Sea into 'parts' (לְגֹזֵר) for Israel to pass through. The usage consistently depicts a portion created by a sovereign, cutting act, whether in ritual or miraculous deliverance.
Etymology
גֶּזֶר is a noun derived from the root verb גָּזַר (gazar, H1504), which means 'to cut, divide, or decree.' The noun form carries the concrete sense of the result of that action—a cut-off piece. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian 'gazāru,' also relate to cutting or dividing, confirming this core meaning.
Semantic Range
Though used only twice, גֶּזֶר is theologically significant as it appears in two foundational acts of God: covenant-making and salvation. In Genesis 15:17, the 'pieces' are central to God's unilateral covenant promise to Abraham, symbolizing the solemnity and binding nature of the agreement. In Psalm 136:13, the divided 'parts' of the sea showcase God's sovereign power to create a path of deliverance for His people. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches our reading by connecting the concrete image of a cut portion to God's decisive actions in history for His covenant people.
In the ancient Near Eastern context of Genesis 15, cutting animals and passing between the pieces was a known ritual for ratifying a treaty or covenant. The 'pieces' (גְּזָרִים) represented the fate awaiting the party who broke the covenant. This cultural backdrop makes God's solitary passage through the pieces a profound act of grace, taking the covenant curse upon Himself.
חֵלֶק (cheleq, H2506) — a general term for a share, portion, or territory, less focused on the act of cutting. פֶּלֶג (peleg, H6388) — a division, channel, or district, often of land or water. חָתַךְ (chatakh, H2856) — a verb meaning to cut or decide, sharing the 'cutting' sense but not used as a noun for a piece.
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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