גִּזוֹנִי
a Gizonite or inhabitant of Gizoh
Definition
The term גִּזוֹנִי (Gizôwnîy) is a gentilic noun meaning 'a Gizonite,' referring to an inhabitant of a place called Gizo or Gizoh. This place is otherwise unknown in the biblical record and is mentioned only in connection with an individual named Hashem. The word functions solely as a geographical identifier, specifying the origin of a person listed among King David's mighty warriors. Its single occurrence in 1 Chronicles 11:34 provides the sole context for its meaning, with no alternative senses or applications elsewhere in Scripture.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 11:34, within a list of David's mighty men. It identifies 'Hashem the Gizonite' as one of these warriors. The usage is purely descriptive, denoting the individual's place of origin. No other biblical books or contexts employ this term.
Etymology
The word is derived as a patrial noun (a gentilic) from an unused and otherwise unknown place name, likely 'Gizo' or 'Gizoh,' located somewhere in ancient Palestine. The suffix '-î' (י) is a standard Hebrew ending used to form demonyms, meaning 'inhabitant of' or 'belonging to.' There are no widely recognized cognates or related roots, as the base location is unattested.
Semantic Range
In the cultural context of ancient Israelite record-keeping, especially in genealogies and military rolls, specifying a person's town or region of origin was a common way to distinguish individuals and honor their heritage. Listing Hashem as 'the Gizonite' connects his identity and valor to his hometown, a practice reflecting the importance of local community ties even within the national framework of David's kingdom. The obscurity of the place today highlights how many minor locations were significant in their own local settings.
יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a general term for a person from Judah, a much broader and theologically significant regional identifier. יִשְׂרְאֵלִי (Yisrᵉʼêlîy, H3478) — denotes an Israelite, referring to national or tribal affiliation rather than a specific town.
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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