prolonged for גֵּוָה; a body, whether alive or dead; (dead) body, carcase, corpse.
Transliteration:gᵉvîyâh
Pronunciation:ghev-ee-yaw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma *gᵉvîyâh* (`{{H1472}}`) is defined as a "body, whether alive or dead; (dead) body, carcase, corpse." It is noted as a prolonged form of *gēwāh* (`{{H1468}}`), which also means "body" or "corpse," and is related to *gēw* (`{{H1465}}`, "back, body"). While the base definition allows for a living body, its overwhelming usage in the biblical text points to a specific focus on the physical remains of a deceased being. It refers to the material, inert form, emphasizing the absence of life and often carrying connotations of vulnerability, desecration, or the outcome of judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *gᵉvîyâh* (`{{H1472}}`) appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, yet its occurrences consistently reinforce its primary meaning of a dead body or corpse.
* In [[1 Samuel 31:10]], it describes the "body" of King Saul, which, along with the bodies of his sons, was hung on the wall of Beth Shan by the Philistines after their defeat. This context highlights the desecration of the deceased and the subsequent retrieval of the remains for proper burial by the men of Jabesh-Gilead ([[1 Samuel 31:12]], and reiterated in [[1 Chronicles 10:12]]). Here, *gᵉvîyâh* clearly denotes a lifeless form.
* [[Psalm 79:2]] employs *gᵉvîyâh* in a lament over the destruction of Jerusalem: "They have given the bodies of Your servants as food for the birds of the heavens, the flesh of Your godly ones to the beasts of the earth." This vivid imagery portrays the horrific consequences of war and divine judgment, where the slain are left unburied and dishonored, their physical forms becoming carrion. The term emphatically refers to the corpses of the fallen.
* Similarly, [[Nahum 3:3]] uses *gᵉvîyâh* in a description of the aftermath of battle, depicting the streets filled with "many corpses" (*gᵉvîyâh*) and no end to the dead bodies. This usage underscores the sheer scale of death and destruction, again firmly placing *gᵉvîyâh* in the semantic field of lifeless remains.
Across these contexts, *gᵉvîyâh* consistently refers to the physical body after death, often in situations of violence, defeat, or divine judgment, emphasizing the material remains rather than the living person.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of *gᵉvîyâh* (`{{H1472}}`) is closely tied to other Hebrew terms for the physical self and the state of death.
* Its etymological connection to *gēwāh* (`{{H1468}}`), also meaning "body" or "corpse," and *gēw* (`{{H1465}}`, "back, body"), highlights a shared core meaning related to the physical frame. *Gēwāh* is often used interchangeably with *gᵉvîyâh* for a dead body.
* In contrast to *gᵉvîyâh*'s focus on the lifeless body, *bāśār* (`{{H1320}}`), commonly translated "flesh," refers more broadly to the living body, humanity, or even all living creatures. While *bāśār* can denote the physical substance of a living being, *gᵉvîyâh* distinctly points to the body in its post-mortem state.
* Another significant term is *nepheš* (`{{H5315}}`), often rendered "soul," "life," or "person." *Nepheš* represents the animating principle or the living being, standing in stark contrast to *gᵉvîyâh*, which signifies the body from which life has departed.
* The concept of ritual impurity, particularly concerning contact with the dead, is a crucial theological backdrop for understanding *gᵉvîyâh*. Although the term itself does not denote impurity, its consistent reference to corpses places it within the legal framework where touching a dead body (e.g., [[Numbers 19:11-13]]) rendered one ritually unclean.
### Theological Significance
The consistent use of *gᵉvîyâh* (`{{H1472}}`) for a "corpse" carries significant theological weight within the biblical narrative.
* **The Reality of Death and Mortality:** *Gᵉvîyâh* serves as a stark reminder of the physical cessation of life, a consequence of sin and the curse in [[Genesis 3:19]], "for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." It underscores the inherent fragility and mortality of humanity.
* **Divine Judgment and Disgrace:** The appearance of *gᵉvîyâh* often occurs in contexts of divine judgment or the consequences of rebellion. The unburied "bodies" of the wicked or those defeated in battle ([[Psalm 79:2]], [[Nahum 3:3]]) signify profound disgrace, a lack of honor, and a clear manifestation of God's displeasure. To be left as carrion was a severe curse, implying a complete rejection by both God and community.
* **The Importance of Burial:** Implicit in the use of *gᵉvîyâh* is the cultural and religious importance of proper burial. The efforts to retrieve and bury Saul's body, despite its desecration, highlight the deep-seated cultural value placed on honoring the dead and ensuring their rest. The indignity of an unburied *gᵉvîyâh* underscores the biblical emphasis on the respectful disposition of the deceased.
* **Contrast with Resurrection Hope:** While *gᵉvîyâh* focuses on the decaying, lifeless body, its very existence as a term for the physical remains sets the stage for the later biblical hope of resurrection. The Old Testament acknowledges the return of the body to dust, but the New Testament, through the resurrection of Christ, transforms this understanding, promising a future spiritual body that transcends the limitations of the earthly *gᵉvîyâh*.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *gᵉvîyâh* (`{{H1472}}`) specifically denotes a "dead body," "carcase," or "corpse." While its base definition allows for a living body, its consistent contextual usage in the Hebrew Bible points exclusively to the physical remains of the deceased. Occurring in narratives of battle, lament, and divine judgment, *gᵉvîyâh* powerfully conveys the reality of death, the indignity of the unburied, and the consequences of sin. It stands in contrast to terms for the living body or the animating spirit, emphasizing the material form once life has departed. The theological implications of *gᵉvîyâh* underscore human mortality, the severity of divine judgment, and the cultural significance of respectful burial practices in ancient Israel.
TRV