feminine from the same as גֶּבַע; a hillock; hill, little hill.
Transliteration:gibʻâh
Pronunciation:ghib-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H1389 (גִּבְעָה, *gibʻâh*) is a feminine noun derived from the same root as `{{H1387}}` (גֶּבַע, *geḇaʿ*), which also signifies a "hill." Its core meaning denotes a "hillock," "hill," or "little hill." This distinguishes it from larger geological formations like a "mountain" (הַר, `{{H2022}}`). While both *gibʻâh* and *har* refer to elevated terrain, *gibʻâh* implies a more modest or isolated rise, often one that is easily traversed or built upon. Its semantic range primarily covers geographical features, but its frequent association with human activity, both mundane and religious, imbues it with significant contextual and theological weight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *gibʻâh* appears numerous times in the Hebrew Bible, predominantly in geographical contexts.
* **Geographical Identification:** Most notably, *gibʻâh* is central to the name of "Gibeah of Benjamin" (גִּבְעַת בִּנְיָמִין), a city that features prominently in the narrative of the Judges and the early monarchy.
* **Gibeah of Benjamin:** This city is infamous for the heinous acts described in [[Judges 19:12-30]], leading to a devastating civil war against the tribe of Benjamin in [[Judges 20:1-48]]. Its name becomes synonymous with depravity and lawlessness, serving as a prophetic byword for Israel's sin in later texts (e.g., [[Hosea 5:8]], [[Hosea 9:9]], [[Hosea 10:9]]).
* **Gibeah of Saul:** Often identified with Gibeah of Benjamin, this was the hometown and royal residence of King Saul (e.g., [[1 Samuel 10:26]], [[1 Samuel 11:4]], [[1 Samuel 15:34]]). Its association with the first king of Israel further anchors its historical significance.
* **Other Hills:** Beyond these prominent proper nouns, *gibʻâh* is used generically to describe various hills throughout the land of Israel, serving as landmarks, boundaries, or natural features (e.g., [[Joshua 15:9]], [[1 Samuel 23:19]], [[2 Samuel 2:25]]).
* **Sites of Worship:** Significantly, *gibʻâh* is often found in contexts related to cultic practices, both legitimate and illegitimate. [[Deuteronomy 12:2]] commands the destruction of Canaanite places of worship "upon the high hills" (עַל הֶהָרִים הָרָמִים וְעַל הַגְּבָעוֹת). This association with "high places" (בָּמָה, `{{H1116}}`), which frequently became centers for idolatry, underscores a recurring theological problem in Israel's history. Prophets often decried such practices (e.g., [[Jeremiah 17:26]]).
* **Figurative Language:** In poetic and prophetic literature, *gibʻâh* can be part of broader imagery, sometimes personified or used to depict the landscape's reaction to divine presence or judgment (e.g., [[Psalm 114:4]], [[Psalm 114:6]] where hills skip like lambs before the Lord). [[Isaiah 2:2]] speaks of the "mountain of the Lord's house" being exalted "above the hills," symbolizing Zion's ultimate preeminence.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H1387}}` (גֶּבַע, *geḇaʿ*):** The masculine counterpart, sharing the core meaning of "hill." Often appears in place names like Geba.
* **`{{H2022}}` (הַר, *har*):** "Mountain." While *gibʻâh* denotes a smaller elevation, *har* refers to a larger, more imposing mountain. The distinction is primarily one of scale, though sometimes the terms are used in parallel.
* **`{{H1116}}` (בָּמָה, *bamah*):** "High place." This term is critically linked to *gibʻâh* as these "high places" were often situated on hills for religious rituals. The condemnation of these sites underscores a significant theological concern regarding syncretism and idolatry.
* **Topographical Terms:** *Gibʻâh* stands in contrast to other geographical features like "valley" (עֵמֶק, `{{H6010}}`), "plain" (מִישׁוֹר, `{{H4334}}`), or "desert" (מִדְבָּר, `{{H4057}}`), contributing to the rich descriptive vocabulary of the biblical landscape.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *gibʻâh* extends beyond its literal meaning, becoming a symbol for various spiritual realities.
* **Symbol of Moral Degeneracy:** The most profound theological implication stems from Gibeah of Benjamin. The atrocities committed there, particularly the gang rape and murder of the Levite's concubine, represent a nadir of moral and social order in Israel, where "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" [[Judges 21:25]]. Prophets later invoked Gibeah as a stark reminder of Israel's historical apostasy and the consequences of moral decay (e.g., [[Hosea 9:9]], [[Hosea 10:9]]). Thus, *gibʻâh* can symbolize a place where human sin reaches its most abhorrent expressions.
* **Sites of Idolatry and Apostasy:** The repeated command to destroy cultic sites "upon the hills" (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 12:2]]) highlights the theological imperative to maintain the purity of Yahweh worship. Hills, being naturally elevated and conspicuous, were often chosen for pagan altars and shrines, leading to syncretism and the worship of foreign deities. In this context, *gibʻâh* represents a locus of spiritual compromise and unfaithfulness to the covenant.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** While not always explicit, the landscape, including hills, often serves as a silent witness to God's actions. The leveling of hills or their trembling can symbolize divine judgment or the overwhelming presence of God (e.g., [[Psalm 114:4]]). Conversely, the exaltation of Zion "above the hills" in eschatological visions (e.g., [[Isaiah 2:2]]) signifies the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H1389 (גִּבְעָה, *gibʻâh*) denotes a "hill" or "hillock," a common geographical feature in the biblical landscape. While literally describing an elevation, its biblical usage imbues it with profound historical and theological significance. Most notably, the city of Gibeah of Benjamin stands as an enduring symbol of Israel's moral and spiritual depravity during the period of the Judges, a place where human sin reached its most grievous expressions. Furthermore, *gibʻâh* is frequently associated with the "high places" of idolatrous worship, underscoring its role as a site of spiritual apostasy and unfaithfulness to Yahweh. Thus, beyond its basic topographical meaning, *gibʻâh* serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of human rebellion, the imperative of pure worship, and the enduring lessons embedded within the very geography of the Holy Land.
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