גּוּר
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink
Definition
The Hebrew verb גּוּר (gûwr) primarily means 'to sojourn' or 'to dwell as a foreigner or temporary resident.' This core sense describes someone living in a land that is not their own, often under the protection of a local host, as seen in Abraham's sojourns in Canaan and Egypt (Genesis 12:10, 20:1). A secondary, derived meaning is 'to be afraid' or 'to dread,' arising from the vulnerability of a stranger in a foreign land, such as when Isaac is told not to fear while dwelling in Gerar (Genesis 26:3). In some contexts, it can also imply gathering together, often with a connotation of trembling or awe before a superior power.
Biblical Usage
גּוּר is used 94 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in the narrative books of Genesis, Exodus, and the Psalms. It frequently describes the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) living as resident aliens in Canaan, emphasizing their temporary, dependent status (Genesis 21:23, 35:27). The 'fear' sense appears in poetic and prophetic texts, describing terror before God or enemies (Psalm 22:23, Isaiah 54:15). The verb is also used for the Israelites' time in Egypt and for God's instruction to care for the 'sojourner' (ger) in their midst.
Etymology
גּוּר is a primitive root. Its fundamental meaning relates to turning aside or lodging somewhere. The noun גֵּר (ger, H1616), meaning 'sojourner' or 'resident alien,' is directly derived from this verb. The semantic development from 'to sojourn' to 'to fear' naturally stems from the precarious and vulnerable social position of a foreign resident in the ancient world.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it defines the core identity of the patriarchs and, by extension, the people of Israel in their relationship to the Promised Land—they were 'sojourners,' dependent on God's promise and protection. It also underpins the biblical ethic of hospitality and justice toward the foreigner (ger), a major theme in Mosaic law. Understanding this term enriches the reading of God's covenant promises, which often include the blessing of a secure dwelling place for those who were once vulnerable strangers.
In the ancient Near East, a sojourner (ger) lacked the legal protections and inheritance rights of a native citizen. Their survival depended on the hospitality and covenant kindness of a local patron or community. The fear associated with גּוּר was a realistic social anxiety, not merely an emotional state. This contrasts with modern, more secure concepts of travel or immigration.
יָשַׁב (yāshav, H3427) — to dwell, settle permanently; שָׁכַן (shākhan, H7931) — to inhabit, dwell (often of God); פָּחַד (pāchad, H6342) — to fear, tremble (more general term for fear).
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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