### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word gûwphâh (גּוּפָה, `{{H1480}}`) is derived from the root gûwph (גּוּף), which conveys the sense of "to shut up" or "to close." This etymological foundation directly informs its primary and almost exclusive meaning: a "corpse" or "dead body." The concept implied is that of a body whose senses are "closed" or "shut off" due to the cessation of life. It refers specifically to the physical remains of a deceased person or animal, emphasizing its state of lifelessness, inertness, and often, its vulnerability to decay or dishonor. Its semantic range is quite narrow, consistently denoting a cadaver.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term gûwphâh (גּוּפָה, `{{H1480}}`) appears infrequently in the Masoretic Text, exclusively within the book of 1 Samuel, highlighting its precise and specific usage.
* **[[1 Samuel 31:10]]**: "And they put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his gûwphâh to the wall of Beth-shan." Here, the Philistines, having defeated Israel, desecrate the bodies of King Saul and his sons by publicly displaying them on the city wall. The use of gûwphâh underscores the physical, lifeless remains subjected to this act of extreme humiliation and triumph by the enemy.
* **[[1 Samuel 31:12]]**: "all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the gûwphâh of Saul and the gûwphâh of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there." This verse describes the heroic and pious act of the men of Jabesh-gilead, who risk their lives to retrieve the gûwphâh of Saul and his sons. Their action demonstrates profound loyalty and respect for the deceased, emphasizing the cultural and religious imperative for proper handling and burial of the dead, even in the face of enemy desecration.
In both contexts, gûwphâh consistently refers to the physical, inanimate body after death, serving as a focal point for acts of both profound disrespect and deep reverence.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H5315}}` (nephesh)**: Often translated as "soul," "life," or "living being," nephesh can sometimes refer to the entire person, including their physical aspect. However, gûwphâh stands in sharp contrast to nephesh by specifically denoting the *lifeless* physical remains, whereas nephesh typically implies vitality or the living individual.
* **`{{H6297}}` (peger)**: This is another common Hebrew word for "corpse" or "carcass," often used in contexts of battle or divine judgment. While gûwphâh emphasizes the "closed" or inert state of the body, peger frequently carries connotations of a fallen, lifeless body, sometimes with an added sense of revulsion or the consequence of divine wrath (e.g., [[Numbers 14:29]], [[Isaiah 66:24]]). There is significant semantic overlap, but gûwphâh may carry a slightly more neutral, descriptive sense of the physical remains.
* **`{{H1320}}` (basar)**: Refers broadly to "flesh" or "body," encompassing living tissue, the entire physical person, or even all humanity. gûwphâh is a specific subset of basar, referring exclusively to the deceased physical form.
* **Burial Practices**: The handling of gûwphâh (corpses) was of paramount importance in ancient Israel. Proper burial was not merely a custom but a matter of honor, religious duty, and an expression of hope. Desecration of a body, as seen with Saul's gûwphâh, was considered a grave offense and a sign of utter contempt or divine judgment.
### Theological Significance
The limited but poignant use of gûwphâh (גּוּפָה, `{{H1480}}`) underscores the stark reality of death as the definitive cessation of life and the inertness of the physical body once the breath (ruach, `{{H7307}}`) or life (nephesh, `{{H5315}}`) has departed. In the narrative of [[1 Samuel 31]], the treatment of Saul's gûwphâh carries profound theological weight. The Philistines' public display of the bodies was an act of extreme dishonor, a calculated demonstration of victory and contempt that violated deeply held Israelite norms regarding the sanctity of the dead. Conversely, the heroic actions of the men of Jabesh-gilead in retrieving and properly burying these gûwphâh exemplify a profound respect for the dead, rooted in Israelite custom and a belief in the inherent dignity of the human person, even in death. This act aligns with the broader biblical emphasis on proper burial as an act of piety and an expression of hope, foreshadowing the eventual Old Testament anticipation of resurrection. The term thus serves as a tangible reminder of human mortality and the physical vulnerability to death and decay, a consequence of the fall ([[Genesis 3:19]]). Yet, the emphasis on respectful handling hints at the enduring value placed on the human form, even after life has departed, within God's created order.
### Summary
The Hebrew term gûwphâh (גּוּפָה, `{{H1480}}`) precisely denotes a "corpse" or "dead body," deriving its meaning from a root that signifies being "closed to sense." Its rare but impactful appearances in the Bible, specifically in [[1 Samuel 31:10]] and [[1 Samuel 31:12]], vividly depict the physical remains of the deceased. The narrative surrounding Saul's gûwphâh powerfully illustrates the profound cultural and theological significance attached to the treatment of the dead: desecration represents ultimate dishonor, while proper burial embodies respect, piety, and loyalty. While distinct from broader terms for "body" or "life," gûwphâh shares semantic space with other words for "corpse" (e.g., `{{H6297}}` *peger*), yet maintains its unique nuance of a body rendered inert. It serves as a stark reminder of mortality while simultaneously underscoring the enduring dignity accorded to the human form, even in death, within the biblical worldview.
TRV