patrial from גִּבְעָה; a Gibathite, or inhabitant of Gibath; Gibeathite.
Transliteration:Gibʻâthîy
Pronunciation:ghib-aw-thee'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H1395}}` (גִּבְעָתִי, *Gibʻâthîy*) is a gentilic or patrial noun, derived from the place name `{{H1389}}` (גִּבְעָה, *Gibʻâh*), meaning "hill." As such, `{{H1395}}` denotes an "inhabitant of Gibeah" or "one from Gibeah," often translated as "Gibeathite." The semantic range is primarily geographical and tribal, identifying an individual's origin from one of the locations named Gibeah. While there were multiple places named Gibeah in ancient Israel, the term `{{H1395}}` most frequently refers to an inhabitant of Gibeah of Benjamin, which holds significant historical and theological weight in the biblical narrative. The name itself, "hill," reflects the topographical feature upon which the town was situated.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H1395}}` appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are highly significant, primarily linking individuals to Gibeah of Benjamin.
* In [[1 Samuel 10:26]], Saul, Israel's first king, is identified as a "man of Gibeah" (often rendered "Gibeathite" in some translations to capture the adjectival sense of origin). This connection is reinforced in [[1 Samuel 11:4]], emphasizing his deep roots in this particular town. Saul's identity as a Gibeathite is crucial, as Gibeah was his hometown and the initial center of his kingdom.
* [[2 Samuel 21:6]] refers to seven descendants of Saul who were "Gibeathites of the Lord" (or "from Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the Lord"), who were delivered to the Gibeonites for execution to atone for Saul's sin against them. This passage underscores the deep association between Saul's lineage and his hometown, and the enduring consequences of his actions upon his family and place of origin.
* [[1 Chronicles 12:3]] lists Ahiezer, the chief of the Gibeathites, among the mighty men who came to David at Ziklag. This verse indicates that even after the tumultuous events involving Gibeah (Judges 19-21) and the fall of Saul's house, individuals from Gibeah continued to play roles in Israelite society, some even aligning with David.
The most profound contextual understanding of `{{H1395}}`, though not always explicitly stated alongside the term, is derived from the infamous account in Judges 19-21. This narrative details a horrific act of depravity committed by the men of Gibeah against a Levite's concubine, leading to a civil war that nearly annihilated the tribe of Benjamin. While the text in Judges refers to "men of Gibeah" rather than "Gibeathites," the events indelibly marked the reputation of the town and, by extension, its inhabitants. Thus, "Gibeathite" implicitly carries the historical memory of this moral failure and the subsequent divine judgment and national trauma.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H1389}}` (גִּבְעָה, *Gibʻâh*):** The foundational place name, "Gibeah," meaning "hill." Understanding the specific locations named Gibeah, particularly Gibeah of Benjamin, is essential for grasping the full weight of `{{H1395}}`.
* **Benjamin:** The tribe to which Gibeah of Benjamin belonged. The Gibeathites were a subset of the Benjaminites, and their fate was intimately tied to the tribe's destiny after the civil war in Judges.
* **Saul:** Israel's first king, famously from Gibeah. His identity as a Gibeathite connects the term to the early monarchy and the complex relationship between regional identity and national leadership.
* **Moral Depravity/Anarchy:** The events of Judges 19-21 serve as a stark illustration of the moral decay during the period of the Judges, where "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" [[Judges 21:25]]. The actions of the men of Gibeah represent a nadir of Israelite society, and the term `{{H1395}}` can therefore evoke this dark chapter.
* **Divine Judgment:** The subsequent war against Benjamin, initiated by the other tribes in response to Gibeah's sin, highlights the theme of divine justice and the consequences of unrepentant wickedness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1395}}` extends beyond a mere geographical descriptor. It encapsulates themes of:
* **Identity and Place:** The term underscores how one's place of origin could shape identity and, in some cases, destiny. For Saul, being a Gibeathite connected him to a specific lineage and territory, which was initially perceived as a strength but later became intertwined with the tragic aspects of his reign.
* **Consequences of Sin:** The association with Gibeah of Benjamin inevitably links the Gibeathite identity to the profound moral failure detailed in Judges 19-21. This serves as a powerful theological cautionary tale regarding the corrupting influence of sin, the breakdown of societal order, and the devastating consequences that can befall a community and even an entire tribe when moral boundaries are transgressed. The Gibeathite, by extension, becomes a symbol of a community that had fallen into deep depravity.
* **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Failure:** Even from a place with such a stained history, God raised up Israel's first king. This highlights God's sovereignty in choosing leaders, yet also illustrates the human capacity for failure, even among those chosen for high office. Saul's later disobedience and the tragic end of his dynasty can be seen, in part, as a continuation of the moral failings that had characterized his hometown.
* **Corporate Responsibility and Atonement:** The execution of Saul's Gibeathite descendants in [[2 Samuel 21]] demonstrates a concept of corporate responsibility, where the sins of a leader (Saul's breach of covenant with the Gibeonites) could bring consequences upon his family and place of origin, requiring atonement to lift divine judgment.
### Summary
The term `{{H1395}}` (גִּבְעָתִי, *Gibʻâthîy*), meaning "Gibeathite" or "inhabitant of Gibeah," is a patrial noun derived from `{{H1389}}` (גִּבְעָה, *Gibʻâh*), "hill." While functionally a simple geographical identifier, its primary biblical referent to Gibeah of Benjamin imbues it with profound historical and theological weight. The Gibeathite identity is most notably associated with King Saul, Israel's first monarch, whose origins in this town shaped his early reign. More significantly, the term implicitly carries the dark memory of the horrific events in Judges 19-21, where the depravity of the men of Gibeah led to a devastating civil war and near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin. Thus, `{{H1395}}` is more than a mere descriptor of origin; it is a marker of a specific historical narrative within Israel, embodying themes of identity, the severe consequences of sin, divine judgment, and the complex interplay between individual and corporate responsibility in the unfolding drama of God's covenant people.
TRV