from גָּדַר; a circumvallation; by implication, an inclosure; fence, hedge, wall.
Transliteration:gâdêr
Pronunciation:gaw-dare'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun גָּדֵר (gâdêr), transliterated as *gâdêr* (Strong's H1447), is derived from the verbal root גָּדַר (gadar, `{{H1443}}`), meaning "to wall up, build a wall or fence." Its core meaning revolves around a constructed barrier.
The semantic range of *gâdêr* encompasses:
* **Circumvallation:** A defensive rampart or wall built around a place, emphasizing a protective or enclosing function.
* **Inclosure:** By implication, any area that is surrounded or set apart by a barrier.
* **Fence:** A barrier, typically made of posts and wire or wood, used to enclose an area or mark a boundary.
* **Hedge:** A row of closely planted shrubs or trees forming a boundary, fence, or screen.
* **Wall:** A continuous upright structure of stone, brick, or other material, serving as a boundary or a part of a larger structure.
In essence, *gâdêr* refers to a physical structure designed to separate, protect, or define an area, carrying connotations of demarcation, security, or even restriction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *gâdêr* appears in several Old Testament passages, illustrating both its literal and figurative applications:
* **Literal Use:**
* In [[Numbers 22:24]], during Balaam's journey, the angel of the LORD stands "in a path of the vineyards, a wall on this side, and a wall on that side." Here, *gâdêr* refers to the stone walls or fences enclosing a vineyard, a common agricultural feature in ancient Israel.
* [[Proverbs 24:31]] depicts the field of a slothful man: "And behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down." This highlights the physical decay of a neglected property, where the *gâdêr* is a tangible structure that has fallen into disrepair.
* [[Nahum 3:17]] uses *gâdêr* to describe where military captains might "camp in the hedges on a cold day," suggesting a literal hedge used for temporary shelter or concealment.
* **Figurative Use:**
* In [[Job 19:8]], Job laments, "He has hedged up my way that I cannot pass; And He has set darkness in my paths." Here, *gâdêr* metaphorically describes God's restrictive action, implying a divine barrier that prevents Job from moving forward or understanding his situation. It signifies a profound sense of confinement or obstruction.
* [[Psalm 62:3]] uses the term to describe the precariousness of those who attack the righteous: "How long will you attack a man to crush him, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?" The "leaning wall" or "tottering fence" (gâdêr) symbolizes instability, weakness, and imminent collapse, suggesting the fragile nature of unrighteous power.
* The prophet Ezekiel employs *gâdêr* powerfully in an allegorical sense, representing the spiritual and moral defense of the nation. In [[Ezekiel 13:5]], the false prophets are condemned: "You have not gone up into the gaps, nor built up the wall for the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the LORD." This signifies a failure to provide spiritual protection or moral fortitude for the people.
* Similarly, [[Ezekiel 22:30]] states, "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one." Here, "make a wall" (gâdêr) refers to building up a spiritual defense, acting as an intercessor or righteous leader who stands against the tide of sin and judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root from which *gâdêr* derives: גָּדַר (gadar, `{{H1443}}`), "to wall up, build a wall or fence." This verb emphasizes the action of constructing such a barrier.
Other related terms that denote various types of walls or enclosures include:
* חֹמָה (chomah, `{{H2426}}`): Often refers to a substantial city wall, implying greater scale and defensive purpose.
* גְּדֵרָה (g'derah, `{{H1444}}`): Another noun form from the same root, often translated as "wall, fence, hedge," very similar in meaning and usage to *gâdêr*.
* שׂוּךְ (suwk, `{{H7722}}`): Refers to a thorn hedge or a fence made of thorns, emphasizing an impenetrable or painful barrier.
Conceptually, *gâdêr* is linked to:
* **Protection and Defense:** As a barrier, it inherently offers security.
* **Enclosure and Separation:** It defines boundaries and distinguishes one area from another.
* **Vulnerability:** When broken or neglected, it signifies exposure and lack of security.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** God's ability to "hedge up" a path speaks to His control and mysterious ways.
* **Human Responsibility:** The maintenance or neglect of a *gâdêr* reflects diligence or sloth, both physically and spiritually.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *gâdêr* extends beyond its literal meaning, offering profound insights into divine action, human responsibility, and the spiritual state of God's people.
* **Divine Control and Providence:** In the book of Job, the "hedge" is a powerful metaphor for God's sovereign control over human life. While in [[Job 1:10]] (using a different word, `{{H7753}}` *suwk*), it represents God's protective hand around Job, in [[Job 19:8]], *gâdêr* signifies God's inscrutable restriction, preventing Job from understanding or altering his circumstances. This highlights God's ultimate authority and the mystery of His dealings with humanity.
* **Consequences of Neglect:** The broken *gâdêr* in [[Proverbs 24:31]] serves as a potent visual parable for the spiritual and moral decay that results from idleness and lack of diligence. It underscores the principle that just as a physical barrier deteriorates without care, so too do spiritual and moral defenses crumble when neglected, leading to vulnerability and ruin.
* **Spiritual Defense and Intercession:** Perhaps the most significant theological usage of *gâdêr* is found in Ezekiel. The "wall" represents the spiritual and moral integrity of the nation, a bulwark against divine judgment. The failure of leaders to "build up the wall" and "stand in the gap" ([[Ezekiel 13:5]], [[Ezekiel 22:30]]) is a severe indictment. It emphasizes the critical role of righteous leadership and intercession in maintaining a nation's spiritual defense and averting God's wrath. This concept highlights the communal responsibility for spiritual vigilance and the dire consequences of its absence.
* **Human Frailty and Instability:** The image of a "leaning wall" or "tottering fence" in [[Psalm 62:3]] vividly portrays the inherent instability and ultimate collapse of those who rely on deceit or earthly power rather than God. It serves as a warning against misplaced trust and the fleeting nature of human strength apart from divine support.
### Summary
The Hebrew word גָּדֵר (gâdêr, `{{H1447}}`) denotes a physical barrier such as a fence, hedge, or wall, deriving from the verb "to wall up." Its usage in the biblical text spans both literal descriptions of agricultural enclosures and profound figurative expressions. Theologically, *gâdêr* illuminates key concepts: it illustrates God's sovereign control and sometimes mysterious restriction over human affairs ([[Job 19:8]]); it serves as a stark warning against the spiritual and moral decay that results from human sloth and neglect ([[Proverbs 24:31]]); and most significantly, it functions as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual defenses of a nation, emphasizing the critical need for righteous leadership and intercessory prayer to "build up the wall" and "stand in the gap" against divine judgment ([[Ezekiel 13:5]], [[Ezekiel 22:30]]). Ultimately, *gâdêr* speaks to the vital importance of boundaries—physical, moral, and spiritual—and the consequences of their maintenance or neglect in the life of individuals and communities before God.
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