The Hebrew word Gibʻath, represented by H1394, is a proper name for a location, derived from a root word meaning hilliness. It appears only 1 time in 1 verse in the Bible. Its sole mention serves to identify it as one of the cities allotted as an inheritance to the children of the tribe of Benjamin.
The single appearance of H1394 is in the context of listing the cities that form the inheritance for the tribe of Benjamin. The text specifies it as one of fourteen cities given to the tribe, listed alongside other locations such as Zelah, Eleph, Jebusi (Jerusalem), and Kirjath Joshua 18:28. This context places Gibeath firmly within the territorial boundaries assigned to a key Israelite tribe during the settlement of the promised land.
Several related words from its biblical context help define its setting:
- H1144 Binyâmîyn (Benjamin): This is the tribe that received Gibeath as part of its inheritance. The tribe is named for the youngest son of Jacob, and God designated a captain for Israel from the land of Benjamin 1 Samuel 9:16.
- H5892 ʻîyr (city): Gibeath is explicitly identified as a city. This term is used for a guarded place, and scripture notes that unless the LORD keeps the city, the watchman stays awake in vain Psalms 127:1.
- H2691 châtsêr (village): The inheritance given to Benjamin included not only fourteen cities but also their surrounding villages. The term is also used for the courts of the Lord's house, a place of praise Psalms 100:4.
The significance of H1394 is derived entirely from its role in the larger narrative of God's relationship with Israel.
- Tribal Inheritance: Gibeath's mention is a direct element of the division of land among the tribes. This act represents the fulfillment of God's promise, with the text stating, "This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin" Joshua 18:28.
- Covenant Fulfillment: The allocation of cities like Gibeath is part of a larger covenant narrative. God made a covenant to give the land of peoples like the Jebusites to Israel's seed, and the lists in Joshua document the performance of that promise Nehemiah 9:8.
- Geographic Identity: By being named in the list of Benjamin's cities, Gibeath helps to geographically define the tribe's territory. This anchors the identity of the children H1121 of Benjamin to a specific, named region within the promised land Joshua 18:28.
In summary, H1394 is a place name whose significance is tied directly to its single biblical mention. It is not a broad theological concept, but a specific marker within the narrative of Israel's settlement in the promised land. Its inclusion in the list of cities for the tribe of Benjamin illustrates the detailed fulfillment of God's covenant promises and helps to establish the defined, geographic inheritance of one of Israel's twelve tribes.
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