Geder
Geder is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Negev in modern-day Israel. Known today as Khirbet Jedur. It appears across 2 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Geder is a Canaanite royal city listed among the thirty-one kings defeated by Joshua during the conquest of the land (Joshua 12:13). Its inclusion in this catalog of conquered kingdoms confirms that Geder was an established urban center with its own ruler at the time of Israel's entry into Canaan. The city is mentioned alongside better-known sites such as Lachish, Eglon, and Hebron, suggesting it occupied a recognized position within the political landscape of pre-Israelite Canaan. Beyond its appearance in the conquest list, Geder does not feature prominently in subsequent biblical narrative, indicating that it was likely absorbed into Israelite territory without generating major recorded events. Some scholars have connected Geder with Gederah or Gedor in the Shephelah region, suggesting a cluster of related settlements sharing a common root in the Hebrew word for "wall" or "enclosure" — possibly reflecting the walled character of these hilltop communities. The conquest of Geder thus stands as part of God's fulfillment of his promise to give Israel the land of Canaan, with even small and obscure cities falling before the advance of Joshua's forces as the LORD delivered the land into Israel's hands.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Geder is tentatively identified with Khirbet Jedur, located in the Negev region of modern Israel. The site preserves surface remains including pottery from the Bronze and Iron Ages, consistent with occupation during the period of the Canaanite city-states and early Israelite settlement. Khirbet Jedur has not been subjected to systematic large-scale excavation, but survey work has confirmed ancient occupation layers. The identification rests partly on toponymic similarity between the ancient name Geder and the modern Arabic place name. The region around Khirbet Jedur was strategically positioned along routes connecting the Shephelah lowlands with the Negev highlands, making it a plausible location for a small Canaanite royal city.
Verse Appearances (2)
Josh
1Chr
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →