(in the m patrial from גֶּזֶר; a Gezerite (collectively) or inhabitants of Gezer; but better (as in the text) bytransposition גִּזְרִיxlit Girzîy corrected to Gizrîy; patrial of גְּרִזִים; a Grizite (collectively) or member of a native tribe in Palestine; Gezrites.
Transliteration:Gizrîy
Pronunciation:ghiz-ree'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H1511}}` (גִּזְרִי, Gizrîy) refers to a specific ethnic or tribal group in ancient Palestine. While its transliteration, "Gizrîy," might superficially suggest a connection to the city of Gezer (`{{H1507}}`), the comprehensive definition provided by Strong's Concordance indicates a more probable derivation. The entry suggests a "transposition" from the original Hebrew text, proposing that the intended reading is "Girzîy" (גִּרְזִי), which is then linked to the "Grizites" (patrial of גְּרִזִים, Grizim, referring to a people, not the mountain). Therefore, the core meaning of `{{H1511}}` is a member or members of the "Girzite" or "Grizite" tribe, an indigenous people of the land of Canaan. This designation implies a distinct, non-Israelite group, likely one of the many tribes inhabiting the region prior to or during the early Israelite settlement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H1511}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[1 Samuel 27:8]]: "And David and his men went up, and made a raid on the Geshurites and the Girzites and the Amalekites, for these were the inhabitants of the land from ancient times, as far as Shur, even to the land of Egypt."
In this sole occurrence, the Girzites are listed alongside the Geshurites and the Amalekites as groups upon whom David and his men conducted raids while he was dwelling in Ziklag under the Philistine king Achish. The context clearly identifies them as "inhabitants of the land from ancient times" (יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ מֵעוֹלָם), indicating their long-established presence in the region. Their association with the Geshurites (a people often located in the Bashan region, northeast of the Sea of Galilee, though here likely referring to a southern group) and the Amalekites (a nomadic people frequently found in the Negev and Sinai) places the Girzites in the southern parts of Canaan, bordering or within the territory that would become Judah. This singular mention paints a picture of a distinct, ancient tribal entity that, like many others, remained a challenge to Israelite control and security, necessitating military engagement from figures like David.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary conceptual link for `{{H1511}}` is to other "peoples of the land" who were indigenous to Canaan before or during the Israelite conquest and settlement.
* **Geshurites** (גְּשׁוּרִי, `{{H1651}}`): Mentioned alongside the Girzites in [[1 Samuel 27:8]], indicating their shared status as non-Israelite groups in the region.
* **Amalekites** (עֲמָלֵקִי, `{{H6003}}`): Also listed with the Girzites, representing a persistent enemy of Israel from the Exodus onward. Their inclusion underscores the ongoing struggle for control and security in the land.
* **Canaanite Tribes:** The Girzites belong to the broader category of peoples whom Israel was commanded to dispossess, such as the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (e.g., [[Exodus 3:8]], [[Deuteronomy 7:1]]). Their continued presence, as evidenced by David's raids, highlights the incomplete nature of the conquest described in books like Joshua and Judges.
* **Inhabitants of the Land from Ancient Times:** This phrase in [[1 Samuel 27:8]] is key, emphasizing the deep historical roots of these groups in the region, distinct from the incoming Israelites.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of the Girzites, like other briefly mentioned tribes, carries a subtle but important theological weight.
1. **Incomplete Conquest:** The continued existence and mention of the Girzites, long after the initial conquest under Joshua, serves as a testament to the partial fulfillment of God's command to dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan. This incompleteness often led to ongoing conflict, moral compromise, and spiritual declension for Israel.
2. **Divine Providence and Human Agency:** David's engagement with the Girzites, Geshurites, and Amalekites demonstrates the ongoing human effort required to secure the promised land, even as God's overarching covenant purposes unfold. It highlights the practical realities of establishing and maintaining a nation in a contested region.
3. **Historical Context of David's Reign:** The presence of such tribes provides crucial geopolitical context for David's actions. His raids were not merely acts of personal survival but were part of the larger, divinely sanctioned struggle to establish Israel's dominion and secure its borders against hostile elements, even if his immediate motives in Ziklag were complex.
4. **The Sovereignty of God:** Despite the continued presence of these groups, the narrative ultimately points to God's sovereign plan for Israel. The mention of the Girzites, though brief, contributes to the rich tapestry of the biblical account, illustrating the challenges and triumphs faced by God's chosen people as they navigated their relationship with Him and the surrounding nations.
### Summary
The term `{{H1511}}` (גִּזְרִי, Gizrîy), more accurately understood as "Girzite" or "Grizite," designates an ancient, non-Israelite tribe inhabiting the southern regions of Canaan. Its singular occurrence in [[1 Samuel 27:8]] places them among the indigenous "inhabitants of the land from ancient times" targeted by David's raids alongside the Geshurites and Amalekites. This brief mention underscores the incomplete nature of the Israelite conquest and the ongoing struggle for territorial control and security. The Girzites, though obscure, represent a facet of the complex historical and theological landscape of the Old Testament, highlighting the challenges faced by Israel in fully possessing their divine inheritance and the continuous need for vigilance against hostile forces.
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