The Hebrew word Gibʻâʼ, represented by H1388, is a proper name for a place in Palestine, defined as Gibeah. Derived from a term for "a hill," it is a highly specific geographical reference. It appears 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible, indicating its role is not as a common noun but as a unique location.
The single appearance of H1388 is found within a detailed genealogical listing in the book of Chronicles. The verse states, "...and the father of Gibea..." 1 Chronicles 2:49. This places the name within the lineage of Caleb, where a descendant is identified as the "father" or founder of this location. The context is purely historical and ancestral, serving to document the heritage and territorial claims of a specific family line.
The verse where H1388 appears connects it to other foundational Hebrew words:
- H1 'ʼâb' (father): This word is used three times in the same verse to establish patriarchal lineage, identifying the founders of Madmannah, Machbenah, and Gibea 1 Chronicles 2:49. It signifies a person's role as a chief or progenitor.
- H3205 'yâlad' (to bear young): The passage begins with "She bare H3205 also Shaaph...," setting the context of birth and procreation for the entire genealogical record that includes the founding of Gibea 1 Chronicles 2:49.
The theological significance of H1388 is derived entirely from its context within biblical genealogy.
- Establishing Heritage: Its use in the phrase "the father of Gibea" highlights the importance of recording lineage and the founding of communities as part of Israel's sacred history 1 Chronicles 2:49.
- Historical Record: The mention of Gibea serves as a marker in the meticulous accounting of Caleb's descendants. This demonstrates a theological value placed on preserving the specific history and territorial inheritance of the tribes of Israel.
In summary, H1388 is a proper noun for the place Gibea. Its sole mention in scripture is not for its geographical features but for its role in a genealogical list. The name functions as a historical anchor, linking a specific person in the line of Caleb to the founding of a town, thereby underscoring the biblical emphasis on heritage, lineage, and the preservation of ancestral records.
TRV