from an unused root (meaning to cut off); a border of a river (as cut into by the stream); bank.
Transliteration:gâdâh
Pronunciation:gaw-daw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term גָּדָה (gâdâh), Strong's H1415, denotes a "bank" or "border" of a river. Its etymological root is understood to be unused in its verbal form, but its semantic core is derived from a concept of "cutting off" or "cutting into." This root meaning is crucial for understanding the noun's precise nuance: a river bank is not merely an edge, but a boundary that has been actively "cut" or carved out by the persistent action of the flowing water. Thus, גָּדָה signifies a distinct, defined demarcation, a natural limit established by the erosive power of the stream itself. It speaks to a natural, yet forceful, boundary.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term גָּדָה (gâdâh) appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance illuminating its core meaning within significant theological contexts.
1. **[[Joshua 3:15]]**: This verse describes the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites. It explicitly states that "the Jordan overflows all its banks (גָּדָה) throughout the time of harvest." The mention of the river overflowing its banks emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the miracle that follows: the waters were "cut off" (יִכָּרְתוּ) and "stood up in a heap" (וַיַּעַמְדוּ נֵד אֶחָד), allowing the people to pass on dry ground. Here, גָּדָה highlights the natural, formidable barrier that God supernaturally overcame, underscoring His power over creation.
2. **[[Joshua 4:18]]**: This verse reiterates the immediate consequence of the priests' feet leaving the riverbed: "the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks (גָּדָה) as before." This confirms that the return of the waters to their normal, overflowing state was as immediate and divinely orchestrated as their cessation. The "banks" serve as the reference point for the river's natural, full state, against which the miracle is measured.
3. **[[Isaiah 8:7]]**: In this prophetic oracle concerning the Assyrian invasion, the Lord declares, "Therefore behold, the Lord is bringing up on them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory; and it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks (גָּדָה)." Here, גָּדָה is used metaphorically. The "banks" represent the natural boundaries or limits of a nation's territory or influence. The overflowing of these banks by the "mighty waters" of Assyria symbolizes an overwhelming, destructive invasion that disregards normal borders, acting as an instrument of divine judgment.
In all contexts, גָּדָה functions as a clear delineator of a boundary, whether natural or metaphorical, whose transgression signifies a significant event—either a divine miracle or a powerful, often destructive, force.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept embedded in גָּדָה resonates with several related Hebrew words and theological concepts:
* **`{{H5104}}` נָהָר (nâhâr)**: The most common word for "river," which naturally flows within גָּדָה. The relationship between the river and its banks is fundamental.
* **`{{H4325}}` מַיִם (mayim)**: "Water," the very substance that forms and is contained by the banks.
* **`{{H5927}}` עָלָה (ʿālâh)**: "To go up, ascend," often used in the context of waters rising or overflowing, as seen in [[Joshua 3:15]] and [[Isaiah 8:7]] where the river "overflows" (וַיַּעַל).
* **`{{H7857}}` שָׁטַף (shāṭap̄)**: "To overflow, wash away," a verb that describes the destructive action of floodwaters when they breach their boundaries, similar to the imagery in Isaiah.
* **`{{H3639}}` כָּלָא (kālāʾ)**: "To restrain, hold back," a concept directly contrasted by the overflowing of banks, highlighting divine power when waters are *not* restrained.
* **`{{H1366}}` גְּבוּל (gĕbûl)**: "Boundary, border, territory," a more general term for a defined limit, whether natural or man-made. גָּדָה specifies a natural riverine boundary.
* The underlying concept of "cutting off" (related to the unused root of גָּדָה) connects it to ideas of division and separation, as seen in the "cutting off" of the Jordan's waters in Joshua.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of גָּדָה lies in its portrayal of boundaries and the power—divine or otherwise—that interacts with them.
1. **Divine Sovereignty Over Creation**: In the Joshua narrative, the banks of the Jordan represent the established natural order. God's ability to cause the river to overflow and then miraculously halt its flow demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over the natural world. He is not bound by the physical limits He Himself established; He can manipulate them for His redemptive purposes. The "cutting off" of the water at the banks is a direct manifestation of divine power.
2. **The Magnitude of Miraculous Intervention**: The fact that the Jordan was overflowing its banks at harvest time amplifies the miracle of the crossing. It was not merely a low-water crossing but a supernatural intervention against the river's full force, emphasizing God's omnipotence and faithfulness to His covenant promises.
3. **Metaphor for Judgment and Unstoppable Forces**: In Isaiah, the overflowing banks of the "River" (Euphrates, representing Assyria) symbolize the unstoppable nature of divine judgment. When God uses a nation as an instrument of wrath, its power will breach all normal boundaries, overwhelming its target. This imagery conveys the terror and totality of God's disciplinary action when unleashed.
4. **Boundaries and Transgression**: Fundamentally, גָּדָה defines a limit. Its transgression, whether by divine command (Joshua) or as a metaphor for overwhelming force (Isaiah), always carries profound consequences. It speaks to the breaking of norms, the disruption of established order, and the manifestation of a power beyond typical human control.
### Summary
The Hebrew word גָּדָה (gâdâh), Strong's H1415, refers to the "bank" of a river, deriving its meaning from an unused root signifying "to cut off." This etymology underscores the bank as a distinct, carved-out boundary. In its biblical occurrences, גָּדָה consistently functions as a marker of natural limits. In the book of Joshua ([[Joshua 3:15]], [[Joshua 4:18]]), the overflowing banks of the Jordan highlight the extraordinary magnitude of God's miraculous power, demonstrating His sovereignty over creation as He supernaturally halted the river's flow for Israel's passage. In the prophetic book of Isaiah ([[Isaiah 8:7]]), the overflowing of "banks" serves as a powerful metaphor for the overwhelming and destructive force of God's judgment, personified by the Assyrian invasion. Theologically, גָּדָה illuminates divine control over natural order, the awe-inspiring nature of God's interventions, and the profound implications when established boundaries are transcended, whether for redemptive purposes or as an instrument of divine wrath.
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