(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to גּוּב; a pit (for wild animals) (as cut out); den.
Transliteration:gôb
Pronunciation:gobe
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word gôb (`{{H1358}}`) derives from a root corresponding to the Hebrew gûb, which conveys the sense of digging, hollowing out, or excavating. Its primary definition is a "pit" or "den," specifically denoting an enclosure that has been cut out or dug, often for the purpose of confining wild animals. This implies a deep, excavated space, suggesting characteristics of confinement, isolation, and inherent danger. The term carries the connotation of a place from which escape is difficult or impossible, a constructed trap or prison.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term gôb (`{{H1358}}`) appears exclusively within the book of Daniel, specifically in the dramatic narrative of Daniel's ordeal in the lions' den. Its seven occurrences consistently refer to this specific location:
* In [[Daniel 6:7]], it is mentioned as the place of execution for anyone who prays to a god or man other than King Darius for thirty days.
* [[Daniel 6:12]] records the accusation against Daniel for praying, leading to his condemnation to the gôb.
* [[Daniel 6:16]] describes Daniel being brought and cast into the gôb of lions.
* [[Daniel 6:19]] depicts King Darius rising early and hurrying to the gôb of lions.
* [[Daniel 6:20]] records Darius's anxious call to Daniel from the gôb.
* [[Daniel 6:23]] narrates Daniel's miraculous deliverance from the gôb, as he is brought up unharmed.
* Finally, [[Daniel 6:24]] details the fate of Daniel's accusers, who, along with their families, are cast into the very same gôb and immediately devoured by the lions.
In every instance, the gôb functions as a place of ultimate peril, a death trap designed by human adversaries, yet it becomes the stage for divine intervention and a profound display of God's power to preserve His faithful servant.
### Related Words & Concepts
While gôb (`{{H1358}}`) is an Aramaic term, it shares semantic territory with several Hebrew words denoting pits or enclosures:
* bôr (`{{H953}}`): Often translated as "pit," "cistern," or "dungeon." This word frequently describes a deep hole, sometimes used for imprisonment (e.g., Joseph in the pit, [[Genesis 37:24]]; Jeremiah in the miry pit, [[Jeremiah 38:6]]). It conveys a similar sense of confinement and potential danger.
* shaḥath (`{{H7845}}`): Meaning "pit," "destruction," or "corruption." This term often carries the connotation of a snare or a place of ruin, sometimes even referring to the grave.
* paḥath (`{{H6354}}`): Signifying a "pit" or "snare," often implying a trap set to catch someone.
The concept of the gôb is also related to broader biblical themes of:
* **Confinement and Imprisonment:** A state of being held captive, often against one's will.
* **Testing and Trial:** Situations designed to prove the strength and sincerity of one's faith or loyalty.
* **Divine Deliverance:** God's intervention to rescue individuals from perilous circumstances.
### Theological Significance
The gôb (`{{H1358}}`) in the book of Daniel carries immense theological weight. It is not merely a physical location but a potent symbol of human malevolence pitted against divine sovereignty.
1. **Symbol of Ultimate Peril:** The gôb represents the most extreme form of human-devised persecution. It is a place of certain death, intended to silence Daniel's witness and faith.
2. **Arena for Divine Intervention:** Paradoxically, this pit of death becomes the stage for one of the most remarkable demonstrations of God's power in the Old Testament. God's miraculous act of shutting the mouths of the lions ([[Daniel 6:22]]) transforms the gôb from a tomb into a sanctuary.
3. **Testimony to Faithfulness:** Daniel's unwavering commitment to God, even when facing the gôb, highlights the theme of faithfulness under extreme duress. His deliverance vindicates his righteousness and glorifies God.
4. **Justice and Retribution:** The subsequent casting of Daniel's accusers into the same gôb illustrates the principle of divine justice, where the wicked fall into the very trap they set for the righteous ([[Psalm 7:15]]).
The gôb, therefore, underscores the theological truth that no circumstance, however dire or humanly inescapable, is beyond the reach of God's preserving power. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to protect His faithful servants and to turn instruments of destruction into platforms for His glory.
### Summary
The Aramaic word gôb (`{{H1358}}`) designates a "pit" or "den," specifically an excavated enclosure. Its exclusive appearance in the book of Daniel refers to the "den of lions" into which the prophet Daniel was cast. This gôb functions as a literal and symbolic place of extreme danger and confinement, representing the ultimate human attempt to eliminate God's faithful servant. Theologically, the gôb serves as a profound backdrop for demonstrating God's sovereign power and miraculous deliverance. It highlights themes of divine protection, the vindication of the righteous, and the truth that even the most perilous circumstances are subject to God's will. The gôb, intended as a place of death, ultimately became a powerful testament to God's preserving grace and Daniel's unwavering faith.
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