### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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]].
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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]].
### Summary
In summary, **Gibʻôwn** `{{H1391}}` is far more than a name on a map. It stands as a testament to God's miraculous power in warfare, a pivotal center for Israel's worship prior to the building of the temple, and the location of a foundational encounter between God and King Solomon. The events at Gibeon were so significant that they defined moments in Israel's history and were recalled by prophets centuries later, showing its lasting importance in the biblical record.
TRV