from the same as גְּבִיעַ; hilliness; Gibath; Gibeath.
Transliteration:Gibʻath
Pronunciation:ghib-ath'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term גִּבְעַת (Gibʻath, `{{H1394}}`) is derived from a root suggesting "hilliness" or an elevated, rounded landform. While the base definition links it to `{{H1375}}` (gĕbîaʻ, "cup" or "goblet"), the primary semantic range of `{{H1394}}` in biblical usage clearly points to a "hill" or "hill-like" elevation. It functions predominantly as a geographical descriptor, often forming part of a proper place name. In this context, it signifies a prominence of land, typically smaller than a mountain (`{{H2022}}`, *har*) but distinct from a flat plain or valley. The underlying concept likely relates to the convex or rounded shape characteristic of a hill.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term גִּבְעַת (Gibʻath) appears most prominently as the name of a significant city in the territory of Benjamin, often referred to as "Gibeah of Benjamin." Its occurrences are pivotal in several key biblical narratives:
1. **The Levite's Concubine and the War with Benjamin:** The most infamous association of Gibeah is found in [[Judges 19:1]] through [[Judges 21:25]]. This narrative describes a heinous act of sexual violence and murder committed by the men of Gibeah against a Levite's concubine. The city's refusal to surrender the perpetrators led to a brutal civil war between the other Israelite tribes and the tribe of Benjamin, nearly annihilating Benjamin. In this context, Gibeah stands as a stark symbol of moral depravity and lawlessness during the period of the Judges, illustrating the depths to which Israel had fallen when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([[Judges 21:25]]). The "hill" of Gibeah became the stage for national tragedy and divine judgment.
2. **King Saul's Hometown:** Subsequently, Gibeah gained further prominence as the hometown of Israel's first king, Saul ([[1 Samuel 10:26]], [[1 Samuel 11:4]]). It is sometimes referred to as "Gibeah of Saul" ([[1 Samuel 11:4]], [[1 Samuel 15:34]]). This connection is significant, as the king who was meant to bring order and righteousness emerged from a place so deeply associated with chaos and sin. Saul's reign, though initially promising, was ultimately marked by disobedience, echoing perhaps the flawed foundations of his ancestral home.
3. **Other Mentions:** The term also appears in other geographical listings, such as [[Joshua 18:28]], where it is listed among the cities of Benjamin. It is also mentioned in prophetic laments, such as [[Hosea 5:8]], where the blowing of the trumpet in Gibeah signals alarm and impending judgment, likely referencing its known historical significance as a place of conflict and sin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term גִּבְעַת (Gibʻath, `{{H1394}}`) is closely related to גִּבְעָה (givʻah, `{{H1389}}`), which is the more common noun for "hill" in Hebrew. While `{{H1394}}` often functions as a proper noun (Gibeah), its semantic root is identical to the general term for "hill."
Other related geographical terms provide contrast:
* **הַר** (har, `{{H2022}}`): "Mountain." Hills are generally lower and less rugged than mountains.
* **עֵמֶק** (ʻemeq, `{{H6010}}`): "Valley." The opposite of a hill, representing low-lying ground.
* **שָׂדֶה** (sadeh, `{{H7704}}`): "Field" or "open country," often flat.
The concept of "hills" in biblical literature often carries symbolic weight. They can be places of refuge, strategic battlegrounds, sites of worship (both legitimate and idolatrous "high places," *bamot*), and points from which significant events are observed or initiated.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of גִּבְעַת (Gibʻath) is primarily tied to its role as "Gibeah of Benjamin," a place steeped in both profound moral failure and the complex origins of Israelite kingship.
1. **Symbol of Moral Depravity and Judgment:** The narrative in Judges transforms Gibeah from a mere geographical location into a potent symbol of Israel's spiritual and moral decay. The horrific events that transpired there underscore the need for divine law and righteous leadership. The subsequent war against Benjamin, initiated by the other tribes, can be understood as a form of divine judgment and discipline against the pervasive wickedness exemplified by Gibeah. It serves as a stark warning against societal breakdown when covenant obligations are ignored.
2. **The Paradoxical Cradle of Kingship:** That Gibeah, a place synonymous with sin and chaos, became the hometown of Israel's first king, Saul, presents a profound theological paradox. It suggests that even the beginnings of Israel's monarchy were rooted in a fallen context, perhaps foreshadowing the eventual struggles and failures of the human kingship. It highlights God's sovereignty in working through imperfect human instruments and circumstances to fulfill His purposes, even if those instruments themselves are flawed.
3. **Prophetic Reminder:** The mention of Gibeah in prophetic texts, such as Hosea, reinforces its status as a historical landmark of Israel's past transgressions and the consequences thereof. It serves as a somber reminder of the nation's capacity for sin and the necessity of repentance.
### Summary
גִּבְעַת (Gibʻath, `{{H1394}}`) signifies a "hill" or "hilliness," primarily functioning as a proper noun for a significant location in ancient Israel. Most notably, it refers to Gibeah of Benjamin, a city whose name became synonymous with the profound moral depravity described in the book of Judges, leading to a devastating civil war. Paradoxically, this same city later became the hometown of Israel's first king, Saul, thereby linking it to both the depths of Israel's sin and the complex, often flawed, beginnings of its monarchy. The study of Gibeah offers a poignant theological reflection on the consequences of human wickedness, divine judgment, and the intricate ways in which God's plan unfolds amidst human brokenness.
TRV