Bible Word Study
גֶּבַע
Gebaʻ · Geba, a place in Palestine
גֶּבַע
Geba, a place in Palestine
Definition
Geba (גֶּבַע) is a proper noun referring to a significant Levitical city within the territory of the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:24, Joshua 21:17). It served as a key northern border town for the Kingdom of Judah, often mentioned in opposition to the Philistine garrison at Michmash (1 Samuel 13:3). The name itself means 'hill' or 'hillock,' describing its geographical feature. In some historical contexts, it is distinct from, yet sometimes confused with, the similarly named Gibeah (Judges 20:10).
Biblical Usage
Geba appears primarily in historical and geographical contexts. It is listed among the cities of Benjamin (Joshua 18:24) and assigned to the Levites (Joshua 21:17). It features prominently in narratives of conflict, such as the war between Israel and Benjamin (Judges 20:10), Saul's battles with the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:3, 1 Samuel 13:16), and as a landmark in military campaigns (2 Samuel 5:25, 1 Kings 15:22). Its usage solidifies its identity as a strategic border location.
Etymology
The word גֶּבַע (Gebaʻ) derives from the same root as H1375 (גְּבִיעַ, *gəḇîaʿ*), meaning 'cup' or 'goblet,' but more directly from the concept of a 'rounded hill' or 'hillock.' This reflects the common practice of naming settlements after their prominent physical topography.
Semantic Range
As a Levitical city, Geba represents God's provision for the priestly tribe and the decentralization of worship and instruction throughout Israel (Joshua 21:17). Its role as a border fortress for Judah highlights themes of divine protection, national identity, and the constant struggle to maintain the territorial inheritance promised by God. Understanding its location enriches the reading of key narratives about Saul, David, and the kings of Judah. In the ancient Near East, cities were often named for their physical characteristics. Geba, meaning 'hill,' was a common type of name for a fortified settlement on elevated ground, which provided defensive advantages. Its designation as a Levitical city also placed it within a socio-religious system where certain towns supported the tribal priesthood. Gibeah (גִּבְעָה, H1390) — A similarly named 'hill' city, often Gibeah of Benjamin or Gibeah of Saul, a distinct but geographically and phonetically related location. Ramah (רָמָה, H7414) — Another place name meaning 'height' or 'high place,' sharing the topographical theme.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]