feminine of גָּדֵר; enclosure (especially for flocks); (sheep-) cote (fold) hedge, wall.
Transliteration:gᵉdêrâh
Pronunciation:ghed-ay-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term gᵉdêrâh (`{{H1448}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the root gādar (`{{H1447}}`), meaning "to wall up, to build a fence or wall." Its core meaning denotes an "enclosure," specifically a constructed barrier for protection or containment. The semantic range of gᵉdêrâh extends to various forms of such enclosures: a "hedge" (often of thorns or brush), a "wall" (typically of stone), a "sheep-cote," or a "fold." While it can refer to any protective barrier, its most common and evocative use is in the context of agricultural settings, particularly as a secure enclosure for livestock, especially sheep. This highlights its primary function: to provide security, define boundaries, and separate what is inside from what is outside, ensuring safety and order.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term gᵉdêrâh appears several times in the Hebrew Bible, illuminating its diverse applications:
* **Literal Sheepfolds:** In [[Numbers 32:16]] and [[Numbers 32:24]], the Reubenites and Gadites promise to build "sheepfolds" (gᵉdêrâh) for their flocks, emphasizing their commitment to caring for their livestock before joining the conquest of Canaan. This illustrates the practical necessity of these structures for pastoral life. Similarly, in [[1 Samuel 24:3]], David and his men come to a "sheepfold" (gᵉdêrâh) where Saul is resting, highlighting its function as a common and often secluded place for shepherds and their flocks.
* **Agricultural Walls/Hedges:** [[Isaiah 5:5]] uses gᵉdêrâh to describe the "wall" of a vineyard that God threatens to break down as a sign of judgment against Israel, whom He likens to His vineyard. This underscores its role in protecting valuable crops from plunder and wild animals.
* **Metaphorical Barriers:**
* In [[Psalm 62:3]], gᵉdêrâh is used metaphorically to describe a "tottering wall" or "leaning fence," illustrating the instability and impending downfall of a wicked person or oppressive system. It speaks to a state of vulnerability and decay.
* [[Hosea 2:6]] employs gᵉdêrâh in a powerful metaphor where God declares, "Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths." Here, the gᵉdêrâh represents a divine impediment, a barrier erected by God to hinder Israel's pursuit of idols, forcing her to return to Him. It functions as a disciplinary measure, a form of protective judgment.
* **Architectural Enclosures:** In [[Ezekiel 42:12]], gᵉdêrâh refers to the "wall" or "enclosure" of the chambers in the visionary temple, indicating a structural element that defines space and separation within a sacred context.
These occurrences demonstrate gᵉdêrâh's dual nature: a tangible structure for physical protection and a potent metaphor for divine providence, judgment, and the establishment of boundaries.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word to gᵉdêrâh (`{{H1448}}`) is its masculine root, gādar (`{{H1447}}`), which functions as both a verb ("to wall up, to build a fence") and a noun ("a wall, fence, enclosure"). The feminine form gᵉdêrâh often emphasizes the *result* or *product* of the action of walling up.
Other related concepts include:
* **chomah (`{{H2426}}`):** This term typically refers to a city wall, implying a larger, more fortified, and often defensive structure. While both gᵉdêrâh and chomah denote walls, gᵉdêrâh often suggests a more agricultural or temporary enclosure, or a less imposing barrier.
* **miqdāsh (`{{H4720}}`):** Temple or sanctuary. The concept of a gᵉdêrâh as a boundary or separator resonates with the idea of a sacred space set apart, as seen in Ezekiel's temple vision.
* **Shepherd and Flock:** The frequent association of gᵉdêrâh with sheepfolds naturally links it to the biblical imagery of God as the Shepherd and His people as the flock, emphasizing divine care and protection.
* **Boundary and Separation:** gᵉdêrâh inherently defines a boundary, separating inside from outside, safe from unsafe, or even holy from common. This concept is vital throughout biblical theology, particularly in laws concerning purity and land demarcation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of gᵉdêrâh is profound, extending beyond its literal meaning to encompass core aspects of God's character and interaction with humanity:
* **Divine Protection and Provision:** The sheepfold (gᵉdêrâh) is a powerful symbol of God's protective care for His people. Just as a shepherd builds a fold to keep his flock safe from predators and thieves, so God provides security for those who are His. This is vividly illustrated in [[Job 1:10]], where Satan complains that God has "made a hedge" (sûk, a related concept of enclosure) around Job, protecting him and his possessions. God's gᵉdêrâh is a manifestation of His covenant faithfulness and sovereign provision.
* **Divine Boundaries and Holiness:** As a barrier, gᵉdêrâh signifies the establishment of boundaries. Theologically, this speaks to God's setting apart of His people, His land, and His laws. It defines what is permissible and what is not, what is sacred and what is profane. These divine boundaries are not merely restrictive but are designed for the well-being and holiness of His people.
* **Divine Discipline and Judgment:** The breaking down of a gᵉdêrâh (as in [[Isaiah 5:5]]) or its construction to hinder (as in [[Hosea 2:6]]) represents God's disciplinary actions or judgment. When God removes His protective hedge, His people become vulnerable to the consequences of their sin. Conversely, He may erect a "hedge of thorns" to block a path of disobedience, lovingly forcing a return to Him. This demonstrates God's active involvement in guiding His people, even through hardship, towards repentance and restoration.
* **The Shepherd-King Metaphor:** The gᵉdêrâh as a sheepfold reinforces the metaphor of God as the ultimate Shepherd, who gathers, protects, and cares for His flock. This imagery culminates in the New Testament with Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd (e.g., [[John 10:1-18]]), who provides ultimate security and life for His sheep within His fold.
### Summary
The Hebrew word gᵉdêrâh (`{{H1448}}`) denotes an "enclosure," primarily a "hedge," "wall," or "sheepfold." Its literal occurrences highlight its essential role in ancient Israelite agrarian and pastoral life, providing physical protection and defining boundaries for livestock and crops. Metaphorically, gᵉdêrâh carries profound theological weight, symbolizing God's multifaceted relationship with His people. It powerfully represents divine protection and provision, as God acts as a "hedge" around His beloved. Simultaneously, it signifies divine boundaries and holiness, demarcating sacred space and moral parameters. Furthermore, the breaking down or strategic erection of a gᵉdêrâh illustrates God's righteous judgment and disciplinary love, guiding His people back to Himself. Ultimately, gᵉdêrâh serves as a rich biblical concept, underscoring God's sovereign care, His establishment of order, and His unwavering commitment to the well-being of His flock.
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