from גָּאָה (corresponding to גַב); the back; by analogy, the middle; [phrase] among, back, body.
Transliteration:gêv
Pronunciation:gave
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term גֵּו (gêv), Strong's H1460, primarily denotes "the back," deriving from a root related to `{{H1342}}` (גָּאָה, ga'ah, "to rise up") and closely corresponding to `{{H1354}}` (גַב, gav, "back, boss, hump"). This etymological connection suggests a sense of prominence or elevation, as the back is a significant, often upright, part of the body. By analogy, גֵּו extends its semantic range to encompass "the middle" or the core, implying an interior or central position. In broader usage, it can refer to the "body" itself, signifying the entire physical substance or form of a being or object. Thus, its core meaning is concrete and anatomical, extending to denote the substantiality or physical manifestation of something.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of גֵּו in the Hebrew Bible consistently reflect its core meanings of "body," "substance," or "back," often in contexts describing physical form or the tangible aspect of phenomena.
* **Exodus 24:10**: Here, גֵּו appears in the phrase "the body of heaven" (וּכְעֶצֶם הַשָּׁמַיִם לָטֹהַר וּכְגֶבֶר הַשָּׁמַיִם לָטֹהַר). This is a profound usage, describing the appearance beneath God's feet as "like the body of heaven in purity." It does not refer to the literal "back" of the sky, but rather its essential substance, its very being or form, perceived as clear and pure. This points to the substantial, albeit transcendent, reality of the heavenly realm.
* **Ezekiel 1:11; 10:12**: In Ezekiel's visions of the living creatures (cherubim), גֵּו is used to describe their "bodies" (וְאֶת־גּוּפֹתָם). This usage refers to the physical mass or form of these celestial beings, emphasizing their tangible, albeit supernatural, existence within the prophet's vision. It underscores the concrete reality of their appearance.
* **Daniel 7:6; 7:7; 7:8**: In Daniel's visions of the four beasts, גֵּו is consistently translated as "back" (מִן־אַחֲרֹהִי; מִן־אַחֲרֹהִי; מִן־אַחֲרֹהִי). For instance, the third beast is described as having "four wings of a fowl upon its back" ([[Daniel 7:6]]). Here, the term refers to the dorsal part of the animal, indicating a specific anatomical location and contributing to the vivid imagery of these prophetic figures.
Across these contexts, גֵּו functions to describe the physical or substantial aspect of what is being perceived, whether it is the essence of the heavens, the form of celestial beings, or the anatomy of symbolic beasts.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related words to גֵּו are its etymological kin:
* `{{H1342}}` (גָּאָה, ga'ah): "to rise up, be exalted." This root connection suggests that גֵּו, as "the back" or "body," might implicitly carry a sense of that which stands up or is prominent.
* `{{H1354}}` (גַב, gav): "back, boss, eyebrow." This noun shares the same core meaning of "back" and highlights the consistency of this semantic field in Hebrew. It refers to a convex or elevated surface.
Conceptually, גֵּו relates to:
* **Physicality/Substance**: It grounds descriptions in a tangible reality, whether literal or visionary.
* **Form/Structure**: It denotes the shape or outline of an entity.
* **Manifestation**: Particularly in contexts like Exodus 24:10, it speaks to the visible or perceivable aspect of something otherwise unseen or abstract.
### Theological Significance
While גֵּו itself is not a word imbued with inherent theological doctrines, its usage, particularly in the context of divine revelation, carries significant implications. In [[Exodus 24:10]], the phrase "the body of heaven" is profoundly significant. It describes the *substance* or *essence* of the divine realm as something concrete, pure, and visible, even if indirectly. This is not an empty void but a realm with a discernible "body" or foundation, reflecting the reality and substantiality of God's presence and dwelling place. It underscores the tangible nature of the divine, even when it remains beyond full human comprehension.
In Ezekiel's visions, the description of the "bodies" of the living creatures reinforces the idea that spiritual or celestial beings possess distinct forms and realities, even if these forms are transcendent and symbolic. This contributes to a robust understanding of a created order that includes both visible and invisible realms, each with its own substantiality. In Daniel, describing the "backs" of the prophetic beasts grounds the symbolic visions in concrete, albeit monstrous, forms, emphasizing their real, if allegorical, impact on earthly history.
Thus, גֵּו consistently functions to underscore the *reality* and *tangibility* of what is being described, whether it is the divine presence, celestial beings, or prophetic imagery, asserting that these are not mere illusions but possess substantial form.
### Summary
The Hebrew word גֵּו (gêv, `{{H1460}}`) primarily signifies "the back" or "body," extending to denote the "substance" or "middle" by analogy. Its usage in the biblical text consistently emphasizes the physical or substantial aspect of what is being described. From the profound "body of heaven" in [[Exodus 24:10]], which speaks to the tangible reality of the divine realm, to the "bodies" of the cherubim in Ezekiel's visions, and the "backs" of the symbolic beasts in Daniel, גֵּו highlights the concrete manifestation of entities and phenomena. While not a central theological term, its consistent application underscores the Bible's portrayal of a real, substantial world, encompassing both the visible and the transcendent, grounding even the most ethereal concepts in perceivable form.
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