Bible Word Study
גִּדְיָה
gidyâh · a river brink
גִּדְיָה
a river brink
Definition
גִּדְיָה (gidyâh) refers specifically to the bank or brink of a river. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes the location where a group of warriors crossed during a seasonal flood, indicating a steep or defined river edge. The word is essentially synonymous with 'riverbank,' denoting the land immediately adjacent to flowing water. It carries no extended metaphorical meaning in Scripture, being used strictly in a geographical sense.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 12:15. The context describes the actions of the Gadites who were among David's mighty men. The verse states these warriors crossed over the Jordan River 'to the bank' (אֶל־הַגִּדְיָה) when the river had overflowed all its banks. Its usage is purely descriptive, pinpointing a precise location for a military maneuver during a challenging seasonal flood.
Etymology
The noun גִּדְיָה (gidyâh) is a feminine form derived from the root גדה (gdh), which conveys the sense of a riverbank or border. It is explicitly noted as being the same as גָּדָה (gādâh, H1415), another word for 'bank' or 'border.' This root family consistently relates to the edge or boundary formed by a body of water.
Semantic Range
In the ancient Near East, riverbanks were significant geographical and strategic landmarks. They served as boundaries, crossing points, and sites for settlements. The mention in 1 Chronicles 12:15 highlights a real tactical challenge—crossing a flooded river—emphasizing the courage and capability of David's warriors. The 'bank' was not a gentle slope but a defined edge that had to be reached and surmounted, especially when swollen with water. גָּדָה (gādâh, H1415) — A direct synonym also meaning 'river bank' or 'border.'
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]