feminine of גֵּו; the back, i.e. (by extensive) the person; body.
Transliteration:gêvâh
Pronunciation:gay-vaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H1465 (גֵּוָה, *gêvâh*) is derived from the masculine noun H1460 (גֵּו, *gêv*), signifying "back" or "body." As a feminine form, H1465 carries the primary meaning of "the back," and by extension, refers to the entire "person" or "body." This semantic extension from a specific anatomical part (the back) to the whole physical being is common in ancient languages, emphasizing the physical, tangible aspect of an individual. It denotes the corporeal frame, whether living or deceased, highlighting its material substance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H1465 appears nine times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently referring to the physical body. Its usage can be categorized into two main contexts:
1. **The Corpse/Dead Body:**
* In [[1 Kings 16:27]], [[2 Kings 9:37]], [[2 Kings 23:16]], and [[2 Chronicles 34:28]], gêvâh specifically denotes a dead body or corpse, often in the context of unburied remains or those subjected to desecration. For example, [[2 Kings 9:37]] describes Jezebel's gêvâh becoming like dung on the field, emphasizing the ignominious end of a wicked life and the physical consequences of divine judgment. This usage underscores the mortality and vulnerability of the human physical form.
2. **The Living Body/Physical Form:**
* In Ezekiel's visions of the cherubim/living creatures, gêvâh refers to their physical "bodies" or "backs." [[Ezekiel 1:11]] speaks of their "bodies" being covered by their wings, and [[Ezekiel 1:23]] describes the "body" of the cherubim being full of eyes. Similarly, [[Ezekiel 10:12]] reiterates this description. Here, gêvâh emphasizes the tangible, though perhaps symbolic, physicality of these divine beings, indicating their structured, corporeal appearance within the prophetic vision.
* In the book of Daniel, gêvâh describes the physical body of kings. [[Daniel 4:33]] recounts Nebuchadnezzar's transformation, where his gêvâh became wet with the dew of heaven, signifying his physical degradation. [[Daniel 5:21]] further elaborates on this, stating that Nebuchadnezzar's gêvâh was given over to the beasts of the field. This usage highlights the physical vulnerability of even powerful rulers and their submission to divine decree, which can affect their very physical being. Belshazzar's gêvâh also trembles in [[Daniel 5:6]] when he sees the handwriting on the wall, showing the physical manifestation of fear.
### Related Words & Concepts
H1465 is intimately connected to its masculine counterpart, H1460 (גֵּו, *gêv*), which also means "back" or "body." Both terms emphasize the physical, material aspect of a being. Other related Hebrew terms that denote aspects of the physical self include:
* H1320 (בָּשָׂר, *basar*): "Flesh," often referring to the living substance of humans and animals, or humanity in its frailty and mortality. While basar often carries connotations of the living, vulnerable essence, gêvâh tends to focus on the external, structured form, particularly in its entirety or its state after death.
* H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ, *nephesh*): "Soul," "life," "person." While *nephesh* can refer to the entire living person, it often emphasizes the animating principle or inner self, whereas gêvâh is strictly the physical container.
* H6106 (עֶצֶם, *etsem*): "Bone," "substance," "self." This term can refer to the very essence or core "body" of something, often emphasizing its structural integrity.
The concept of the body as a physical entity, subject to decay, divine judgment, or transformation, is a recurring theme in these related terms.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H1465 primarily revolves around the created, finite nature of the physical body and its susceptibility to divine will and judgment.
1. **Mortality and Judgment:** The frequent use of gêvâh to describe corpses underscores human mortality and the ultimate return of the physical body to dust. In contexts of divine judgment, the desecration or ignominious end of a gêvâh (e.g., Jezebel, wicked kings) serves as a powerful symbol of God's sovereignty over life and death, and the physical consequences of unrighteousness. It highlights that even the physical form is not beyond the reach of divine retribution.
2. **Divine Sovereignty over Human Condition:** The narrative of Nebuchadnezzar's transformation in Daniel illustrates God's absolute power over even the physical bodies of kings. His gêvâh is humbled and transformed, demonstrating that human pride and power are ultimately subject to divine decree, affecting the very essence of one's physical existence.
3. **Tangibility of Divine Manifestation:** In Ezekiel's visions, the description of the cherubim's gêvâh emphasizes the concrete, though perhaps symbolic, reality of these heavenly beings. It suggests that divine manifestations, even in vision, possess a structured, discernible form, reinforcing the idea of a tangible, if otherworldly, reality in God's creation.
### Summary
H1465 (גֵּוָה, *gêvâh*) denotes the physical "back" and, by extension, the entire "body" or "person." Its biblical occurrences reveal two primary applications: referring to a deceased body or corpse, often in contexts of divine judgment or desecration, and describing the physical form of living beings, including the cherubim in Ezekiel's visions and the bodies of kings in Daniel. Theologically, gêvâh` underscores the mortality and vulnerability of the human body, its susceptibility to divine judgment and transformation, and the tangible, structured nature of divine manifestations. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation, including the physical frame of humanity.
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