### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Gezer** `{{H1507}}`, also spelled **Gazer**, identifies a key city in Palestine. It appears **15 times** across **14 unique verses** in the Bible. The history of Gezer traces its path from a powerful Canaanite city to a strategically important fortified center within the Israelite kingdom under King Solomon.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, Gezer's strategic importance is evident from early on. Horam `{{H2036}}`, the king `{{H4428}}` of Gezer `{{H1507}}`, came up `{{H5927}}` to help `{{H5826}}` Lachish `{{H3923}}` but was defeated by Joshua `{{H3091}}` [[Joshua 10:33]]. Despite this victory, the tribe of Ephraim `{{H669}}` failed to drive out `{{H3423}}` the Canaanites `{{H3669}}` living there, who instead dwelt `{{H3427}}` among them under tribute `{{H4522}}` ([[Joshua 16:10]], [[Judges 1:29]]). The city was also a site of conflict where David `{{H1732}}` smote `{{H5221}}` the Philistines `{{H6430}}` from Gibeon `{{H1391}}` to Gazer `{{H1507}}` [[1 Chronicles 14:16]]. Ultimately, Pharaoh `{{H6547}}` king `{{H4428}}` of Egypt `{{H4714}}` captured Gezer, burnt `{{H8313}}` it, slew `{{H2026}}` the Canaanites, and gave `{{H5414}}` it as a present `{{H7964}}` to his daughter `{{H1323}}`, the wife of Solomon `{{H8010}}` [[1 Kings 9:16]], who then built `{{H1129}}` the city [[1 Kings 9:17]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words and figures are central to Gezer's story:
* **Canaanite `{{H3669}}`:** These were the original inhabitants of Gezer. Their continued presence after the conquest by Joshua ([[Joshua 16:10]], [[Judges 1:29]]) demonstrates a period of coexistence and unresolved conflict, which ended when Pharaoh `{{H6547}}` slew `{{H2026}}` them [[1 Kings 9:16]].
* **Ephraim `{{H669}}`:** This tribe was allotted the territory including Gezer, which was designated a Levitical city `{{H5892}}` of refuge `{{H4733}}` [[Joshua 21:21]]. However, the record notes twice that Ephraim did not drive out `{{H3423}}` the Canaanites `{{H3669}}` from the city ([[Joshua 16:10]], [[Judges 1:29]]).
* **Solomon `{{H8010}}`:** King Solomon `{{H8010}}` is the figure who ultimately establishes full Israelite control over Gezer. After receiving it from Pharaoh `{{H6547}}`, he raised `{{H5927}}` a levy `{{H4522}}` to build `{{H1129}}` Gezer, along with other major cities like Hazor `{{H2674}}` and Megiddo `{{H4023}}` ([[1 Kings 9:15]], [[1 Kings 9:17]]).
### Theological Significance
The narrative of Gezer illustrates several important themes:
* **Incomplete Conquest:** Gezer is a primary example of Israel's failure to fully drive out `{{H3423}}` the Canaanite `{{H3669}}` inhabitants as commanded. The fact that the Canaanites continued to dwell `{{H3427}}` there [[Judges 1:29]] is a recurring theme that characterizes the era of the Judges.
* **Strategic Royal Power:** The city's importance is established when its king `{{H4428}}` is listed among those defeated by Joshua `{{H3091}}` [[Joshua 12:12]]. Later, it is part of King Solomon's `{{H8010}}` major building `{{H1129}}` program, solidifying its role as a key administrative and defensive center in the kingdom [[1 Kings 9:15]].
* **Foreign Relations and Providence:** The unique account of Pharaoh `{{H6547}}` conquering Gezer and giving `{{H5414}}` it to Solomon `{{H8010}}` as a present `{{H7964}}` shows how foreign powers were involved in shaping the boundaries and security of Israel's kingdom [[1 Kings 9:16]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1507}}` represents more than just a dot on a map. It is a location with a complex and significant history, serving as a Canaanite stronghold, a Levitical city not fully controlled by Ephraim, a battleground with the Philistines, and finally a fortified Solomonic city. Its story illustrates biblical themes of warfare, the challenges of settlement, the exercise of royal authority, and the shifting political powers that defined the establishment of ancient Israel.
TRV