patrial from גֶּדֶר; a Gederite, or inhabitant of Geder; Gederite.
Transliteration:Gᵉdêrîy
Pronunciation:ghed-ay-ree'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term Gederiy (`{{H1451}}`) is a gentilic noun, meaning "a Gederite" or "an inhabitant of Geder." It is directly derived from the place name Geder (`{{H1447}}`), which itself signifies "a wall," "an enclosure," or "a sheepfold." Therefore, a Gederite is someone whose origin is linked to a locality characterized by such structures, likely a fortified settlement or a pastoral enclosure. The semantic scope of Gederiy is narrow, serving purely as a geographical or ethnic identifier, without conveying any inherent moral, spiritual, or abstract meaning beyond its denotation of origin.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Gederiy (`{{H1451}}`) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible:
* [[1 Chronicles 27:28]]: "And over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the low plains was Baal-Hanan the Gederite; and over the cellars of oil was Joash."
In this singular instance, Baal-Hanan the Gederite is listed among the officials appointed by King David to manage various aspects of his kingdom's resources. Specifically, Baal-Hanan was responsible for the olive and sycamore trees located in the Shephelah, the low plains of Judah. The context is an administrative roster, detailing the individuals entrusted with particular duties within David's extensive governmental structure. The mention of "the Gederite" serves primarily as a geographical descriptor for Baal-Hanan, indicating his place of origin or perhaps his familial association with the town of Geder. This brief mention provides no further information about Geder itself or the characteristics of its inhabitants, beyond their capacity for administrative service within the Davidic monarchy.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term Gederiy (`{{H1451}}`) is intrinsically linked to several related Hebrew words, all stemming from the same root concept of "enclosure" or "wall":
* Geder (`{{H1447}}`): The foundational place name from which Gederiy is derived. Its meaning of "wall" or "enclosure" suggests a fortified or delimited settlement.
* Gederah (`{{H1449}}`): A related place name, also meaning "sheepfold" or "enclosure," frequently appearing in geographical lists, such as [[Joshua 15:36]].
* Gederoth (`{{H1450}}`): The plural form of Gederah, meaning "sheepfolds," also found in biblical place names (e.g., [[Joshua 15:41]]).
* Gedor (`{{H1448}}`): Another place name, often associated with or sometimes identified as the same location as Geder, further emphasizing the prevalence of settlements with defensive or pastoral characteristics in ancient Israel.
* **Gentilic Nouns:** Gederiy belongs to a broader category of gentilic nouns in Hebrew (e.g., Jebusite `{{H2983}}`, Philistine `{{H6430}}`, Israelite `{{H3479}}`). These terms are vital for understanding the demographic, political, and ethnic landscape of the biblical world, identifying individuals by their regional or tribal affiliation.
### Theological Significance
As a purely geographical and ethnic identifier, Gederiy (`{{H1451}}`) does not possess direct theological meaning in the same way that terms like "holiness" or "covenant" do. However, its presence in the biblical text contributes to theological understanding in several subtle yet significant ways:
1. **Historical Veracity and Detail:** The meticulous inclusion of such specific geographical origins for individuals like Baal-Hanan underscores the Bible's commitment to historical accuracy and its groundedness in real-world details. This level of precision, even for seemingly minor figures, attests to the divine inspiration that guided the recording of Israel's history.
2. **Divine Providence in Administration:** The fact that a "Gederite" was appointed to a significant administrative role under King David illustrates the breadth of David's kingdom and his capacity to integrate individuals from diverse regions into his service. This can be seen as a reflection of divine providence, where God raises up and uses individuals from various backgrounds to fulfill His purposes for the nation of Israel.
3. **Inclusivity within God's Plan:** While not explicitly theological, the inclusion of a "Gederite" among David's officials subtly points to an inclusivity within God's design for His people. Even those from specific, perhaps less prominent, localities were brought into the service of the king, who himself was chosen by God. This foreshadows a broader truth that God's work often involves individuals from all walks of life and every corner of the earth.
### Summary
Gederiy (`{{H1451}}`) is a gentilic noun denoting "an inhabitant of Geder," derived from the place name Geder (`{{H1447}}`), meaning "a wall" or "enclosure." Its sole appearance in the biblical text is in [[1 Chronicles 27:28]], where it identifies Baal-Hanan as "the Gederite," an official responsible for agricultural oversight under King David. The word's semantic range is limited to geographical origin, and it is closely related to other place names like Gederah (`{{H1449}}`) and Gedor (`{{H1448}}`). While Gederiy lacks an explicit theological meaning, its inclusion highlights the Bible's historical precision and its detailed record-keeping. Furthermore, the presence of a "Gederite" among David's trusted administrators subtly illustrates the diverse composition of God's people and the providential way in which individuals from various backgrounds are utilized in His overarching plan.
TRV