from the same as גֶּבַע; hilly; Gibon, a place in Palestine; Gibeon.
Transliteration:Gibʻôwn
Pronunciation:ghib-ohn'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma גִּבְעוֹן (Gibʻôwn), Strong's number `{{H1391}}`, is a proper noun referring to a significant city in ancient Israel. Its base definition, "from the same as גֶּבַע; hilly; Gibon, a place in Palestine; Gibeon," indicates its etymological roots. The word derives from or is closely related to `{{H1389}}` (גֶּבַע - geḇaʿ), which means "hill" or "height." Thus, the name Gibeon literally signifies "a hilly place" or "a place on a hill," accurately describing its geographical location in the central hill country of Canaan. This etymological connection underscores its topographical characteristic, which likely made it a strategic and defensible settlement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Gibeon appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, playing a pivotal role in several key narratives. It is first introduced in the Book of Joshua as a major Hivite city, "greater than Ai, and all its men were mighty" ([[Joshua 10:2]]). The inhabitants of Gibeon famously employed deception to secure a covenant with Joshua and the Israelites, preventing their destruction by feigning distant origins ([[Joshua 9:3-27]]). Though the deception was discovered, Joshua honored the oath, reducing the Gibeonites to "hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord" ([[Joshua 9:27]]). This covenant later became a point of contention when King Saul violated it, leading to divine judgment in David's reign ([[2 Samuel 21:1-9]]).
Gibeon is also the site of one of the most dramatic miracles in biblical history, where the sun and moon stood still at Joshua's command during a battle against an Amorite coalition ([[Joshua 10:12-14]]). This event underscored God's direct intervention on behalf of Israel. Later, Gibeon was designated as a Levitical city ([[Joshua 21:17]]).
During the period of the kings, Gibeon continued to be significant. It was the location of a fierce battle between the forces of Abner (for Ish-bosheth) and Joab (for David) ([[2 Samuel 2:12-17]]). Most notably, Gibeon is identified as "the great high place" where King Solomon went to offer sacrifices at the beginning of his reign. It was there that the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and granted him wisdom ([[1 Kings 3:4-15]]; [[2 Chronicles 1:3-13]]). This episode highlights Gibeon's prominence as a pre-Temple cultic site. The city is also mentioned in the context of Jeremiah's prophecy ([[Jeremiah 41:12]]) and among the settlements reoccupied by the returnees from Babylonian exile ([[Nehemiah 3:7]]; [[Nehemiah 7:25]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is `{{H1389}}` (גֶּבַע - geḇaʿ), "hill" or "height," from which Gibeon derives its name, emphasizing its geographical characteristic. The people group associated with the city, the Gibeonites, are central to its biblical narrative. Their unique status, established through a covenant (בְּרִית - berith) with Israel, defines their role as perpetual servants. The concept of "high place" (בָּמָה - bamah) is crucial, as Gibeon is explicitly called "the great high place" ([[1 Kings 3:4]]), indicating its importance as a center for worship before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This connects Gibeon to the broader discussion of Israelite cultic practices and their eventual centralization. Other related concepts include divine faithfulness to covenants, even those made under deceptive circumstances, and the theme of divine wisdom, exemplified by Solomon's encounter with God at Gibeon.
### Theological Significance
The narrative of Gibeon carries profound theological weight. First, the Gibeonite covenant underscores the sanctity of oaths and God's demand for Israel's faithfulness to their word, even when given deceptively. Saul's later violation of this covenant brought divine judgment and famine upon Israel, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to justice and the seriousness of breaking sacred agreements ([[2 Samuel 21:1-9]]). This highlights a key aspect of God's character: His own steadfast faithfulness to His covenants, which serves as a model for His people.
Second, the miracle of the sun standing still at Gibeon vividly portrays God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His active intervention in history to secure His purposes for Israel ([[Joshua 10:12-14]]). It is a powerful testament to divine power exercised on behalf of His chosen people.
Third, Gibeon's designation as "the great high place" and Solomon's worship there sheds light on the evolution of Israelite worship. Before the Temple's completion, Gibeon served as a legitimate and significant center for sacrifices. Solomon's humble prayer for wisdom at Gibeon, rather than wealth or power, is a theological paradigm for righteous leadership and the source of true discernment, directly from God ([[1 Kings 3:9-12]]). This encounter at Gibeon is foundational to Solomon's reign and the subsequent flourishing of wisdom literature in Israel.
### Summary
גִּבְעוֹן (Gibʻôwn), or Gibeon, is a significant biblical city whose name reflects its "hilly" topography. Its narrative is interwoven with critical events in Israel's history, most notably the Gibeonites' deceptive covenant with Joshua ([[Joshua 9]]), the miraculous standing still of the sun and moon during a battle ([[Joshua 10]]), and its role as "the great high place" where Solomon received divine wisdom ([[1 Kings 3]]). Theologically, Gibeon serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to covenants, His sovereign intervention in human affairs, and the importance of seeking divine wisdom. It also offers insight into the early, decentralized worship practices of Israel before the establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem.
TRV