The Hebrew name Gibʻôwn, represented by H1391, refers to a hilly place in Palestine known as Gibeon. It appears 37 times across 35 unique verses in the Bible, highlighting its significance in key historical and theological events. The name itself, defined as hilly, reflects its geographical nature.
The name H1391 (Gibʻôwn) is closely related to H1389 gibʻâh, meaning "hill" or "height," and H1387 Gebaʻ, also signifying a "hillock." This etymological connection underscores the geographical reality of the location, emphasizing its elevated position. This inherent characteristic likely contributed to its strategic value as a "great city" Joshua 10:2 and later, its designation as a "great high place" H1116 for worship. The prominence of its terrain made it a recognizable landmark, even for directional purposes, as seen in the pursuit from Gibeon to Gazer 1 Chronicles 14:16 or the wilderness way of Gibeon 2 Samuel 2:24.
In the biblical narrative, Gibʻôwn H1391 is first introduced as a "great city" Joshua 10:2 whose inhabitants strategically made peace H7999 with Joshua H3091 and Israel H3478 (Joshua 9:3, Joshua 10:1). This alliance provoked an attack from five Amorite H567 kings, prompting the men of Gibeon to seek help Joshua 10:4-6. The ensuing battle became the setting for a major divine intervention, where the LORD discomfited H2000 Israel's enemies and Joshua commanded the sun H8121 to stand still "upon Gibeon" (Joshua 10:10, Joshua 10:12). Later, Gibeon became the "great high place" H1116 where the tabernacle H4908 was located, and where King Solomon H8010 offered a thousand burnt offerings H5930 and received wisdom from the LORD in a dream 1 Kings 3:4-5. It was also a site of internal Israelite conflict, where the forces of Joab H3097 and Abner H74 met by the pool H1295 of Gibeon 2 Samuel 2:13.
Beyond the foundational events, Gibeon also features prominently in the early days of King David's reign and later prophetic and post-exilic accounts. Following the death of Saul, it was near Gibeon that the forces of Abner, representing Ishbosheth, and Joab, representing David, engaged in a fierce contest, leading to the tragic death of Asahel, Joab's brother, at Gibeon 2 Samuel 2:13, 2 Samuel 3:30. This location continued to be a site of significant events, including the pursuit of the Philistines by David's forces from Gibeon to Gazer 1 Chronicles 14:16 and the ambush of Amasa at the "great stone which is in Gibeon" 2 Samuel 20:8. Centuries later, the prophet Hananiah, who opposed Jeremiah, is identified as being "of Gibeon" Jeremiah 28:1, indicating the city's ongoing presence and contribution to Judahite society. During the post-exilic period, Gibeonites are noted among those who returned and participated in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, further attesting to its enduring community Nehemiah 3:7, Nehemiah 7:25.
Several related words are key to understanding the context of events at Gibeon:
- H1116 bâmâh (high place): This word describes Gibeon's religious importance as the site of the "great high place," where the tabernacle and the altar for burnt offerings H5930 resided before the temple was built (1 Kings 3:4, 1 Chronicles 21:29).
- H1295 bᵉrêkâh (pool): This identifies the landmark, the "pool of Gibeon," where the servants of David H1732 and the servants of Ishbosheth met, leading to a deadly confrontation 2 Samuel 2:13.
- H1393 Gibʻônîy (Gibeonite): This term refers to an inhabitant of Gibeon. The Gibeonites were descendants of the Amorites H567 who made a covenant with Israel 2 Samuel 21:2 and later participated in rebuilding projects, such as Melatiah the Gibeonite working on the wall of Jerusalem Nehemiah 3:7.
- H2000 hâmam (discomfit): This verb captures the divine action during the battle at Gibeon, where the LORD "discomfited" the Amorite armies before Israel, putting them in commotion and destroying them Joshua 10:10.
- H1389 gibʻâh (hill): This feminine noun, meaning "hill" or "height," is the root from which H1391 Gibʻôwn is derived, directly reflecting the city's topographical characteristic as a "hilly" place.
The narrative of Gibʻôwn H1391 carries significant weight, illustrating several key themes:
- Divine Intervention in Battle: Gibeon is the backdrop for one of Scripture's most profound miracles, where the LORD heeded Joshua's call for the sun to stand still Joshua 10:12. God's direct involvement is also seen as He discomfited H2000 the enemy armies. The prophet Isaiah later refers to the "valley of Gibeon" as a template for a future "strange work" H4639 of God's judgment Isaiah 28:21.
- A Center for National Worship: For a time, Gibeon was a central place of worship for Israel. It was where the tabernacle H4908 made by Moses and the altar H4196 of burnt offering H5930 were located 1 Chronicles 21:29. Its status as the "great high place" H1116 made it the destination for King Solomon to seek the LORD 1 Kings 3:4.
- Royal and Divine Encounter: The site is crucial to the story of King Solomon, as it is where the LORD first appeared H7200 to him in a dream, offering him whatever he would ask 1 Kings 3:5. God appeared H7200 to Solomon at Gibeon a second time after the temple was built 1 Kings 9:2.
- The Enduring Identity of the Gibeonites: The inhabitants of H1391 secured a place within Israel through a strategic covenant, a status that endured for centuries. Although they were initially deceptive in their approach to Joshua Joshua 9:3, their community maintained a distinct identity and presence within Israelite society. This continuity is evidenced much later in the post-exilic period, where individuals like Melatiah the Gibeonite are recorded as participants in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls Nehemiah 3:7, and the "children of Gibeon" are counted among those who returned from exile Nehemiah 7:25. This highlights the long-term implications of their initial interaction with Israel and their ongoing role in the nation's history.
H1391 Gibʻôwn, a name inherently linked to its "hilly" topography, serves as a crucial geographical and historical anchor throughout the biblical narrative. Its etymological connection to H1389 gibʻâh ("hill") emphasizes its elevated and strategic position, a characteristic that made it a "great city" Joshua 10:2 and later, a prominent religious center.
From the initial encounter with Joshua, where its inhabitants secured a peace treaty through guile Joshua 9:3, Gibʻôwn became the backdrop for some of Israel's most dramatic events. It witnessed God's direct intervention in battle, famously marked by the sun standing still at Joshua's command Joshua 10:12, and later served as the primary site for national worship, housing the tabernacle and the "great high place" H1116 where Solomon received divine wisdom 1 Kings 3:4-5. Its significance extended into the Davidic era, becoming a stage for internal Israelite conflicts, such as the deadly confrontation between Joab and Abner at its "pool" H1295 2 Samuel 2:13, and a point of strategic military operations 1 Chronicles 14:16.
The enduring presence of Gibʻôwn and its people is further attested in later periods, with figures like the prophet Hananiah being identified as "of Gibeon" Jeremiah 28:1 and its descendants, the Gibeonites, participating in the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the exile Nehemiah 3:7, Nehemiah 7:25. Thus, H1391 Gibʻôwn stands as a multifaceted location in biblical history. It illustrates God's miraculous power, serves as a testament to the sanctity and enduring consequences of covenant, and represents a vital center for Israel's spiritual and political life across centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the biblical record.
TRV