or (shortened) גִּחוֹן; from גִּיחַlemma גּיחַ missing vowel, corrected to גִּיחַ; stream; Gichon, a river of Paradise; also a valley (or pool) near Jerusalem; Gihon.
Transliteration:Gîychôwn
Pronunciation:ghee-khone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma *Gîychôwn* (`{{H1521}}`) derives from the verbal root *gîyach* (`{{H1518}}`), which conveys the dynamic action of "to burst forth," "to gush out," or "to flow out forcefully." This etymological root immediately imbues the noun with a sense of vigorous emergence. As a proper noun, *Gîychôwn* holds two distinct yet thematically linked meanings within the biblical text:
1. **A River of Paradise:** It names one of the four rivers originating from the Garden of Eden, signifying a primordial, life-giving stream in God's perfect creation.
2. **A Spring/Valley near Jerusalem:** It identifies a crucial water source for ancient Jerusalem, often referred to as the Gihon Spring, which was vital for the city's survival and played a significant role in historical events.
The semantic range thus extends from a mythical, foundational river of the created order to a tangible, historical water source, with the common thread being the concept of water "gushing forth" as a source of life and sustenance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word *Gîychôwn* appears in the Hebrew Bible in two primary contexts:
* **The River of Eden:**
* [[Genesis 2:13]]: "The name of the second river is Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush." This verse describes Gihon as one of the four rivers that flowed from the Garden of Eden, watering the land and then branching out. Its association with the land of Cush (often identified with regions south of Egypt, such as Ethiopia) places it as a major geographical feature of the primeval world. In this context, Gihon symbolizes the abundant life and fertility that flowed from God's perfect creation, a testament to His generous provision. Its exact geographical identification remains elusive, contributing to its symbolic rather than strictly empirical significance in this passage.
* **The Spring of Jerusalem:**
* [[1 Kings 1:33]]: "The king said to them, 'Take with you the servants of your lord and have my son Solomon ride on my own mule and take him down to Gihon.'"
* [[1 Kings 1:38]]: "So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada went down with the Kerethites and Pekethites and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule and took him to Gihon."
* [[1 Kings 1:45]]: "Moreover, the king has sent Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada and the Kerethites and the Pekethites, and they have had him ride on the king’s mule; and they have anointed him king in Gihon."
These passages recount the anointing of Solomon as king at the Gihon. This location, a prominent spring in the Kidron Valley to the east of Jerusalem, was the city's primary natural water source. The choice of Gihon for such a pivotal event was highly symbolic. Anointing a king at a life-giving spring would have underscored the new king's legitimacy, vitality, and divine blessing, associating his reign with purity and sustenance for the nation.
* [[2 Chronicles 32:30]]: "It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water down to the west side of the City of David. He succeeded in everything he undertook."
This verse describes King Hezekiah's strategic engineering feat, known as Hezekiah's Tunnel. Faced with the impending Assyrian siege, Hezekiah secured Jerusalem's water supply by diverting the Gihon Spring's waters through a tunnel into the city. This act highlights the critical importance of the Gihon as Jerusalem's lifeline and Hezekiah's wisdom and faith in preparing for the defense of the city, demonstrating both human ingenuity and reliance on divine providence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of *Gîychôwn* is interwoven with several broader biblical themes and terms:
* **Water (`{{H4325}}` *mayim*):** As a fundamental element, water consistently symbolizes life, purification, blessing, and divine presence throughout Scripture. Gihon, whether as an Edenic river or a Jerusalem spring, embodies these life-giving properties.
* **Rivers (`{{H5104}}` *nahar*) and Springs (`{{H5869}}` *ayin*):** Gihon is categorized with other significant biblical water bodies. In Genesis, it is one of the four rivers of Paradise alongside Pishon (`{{H6376}}`), Tigris (`{{H2313}}`), and Euphrates (`{{H6578}}`), all described as sources of life. In Jerusalem, it functions as a vital spring.
* **Anointing (`{{H4886}}` *mashach*):** The anointing of Solomon at Gihon connects the physical source of water with the spiritual act of consecration, linking the flow of water to the flow of divine authority and blessing upon the king.
* **Provision and Sustenance:** Gihon, in both its Edenic and Jerusalem contexts, serves as a powerful symbol of God's ongoing provision for His creation and His people, whether in a perfect garden or a besieged city.
* **Security and Defense:** Hezekiah's actions with the Gihon Spring demonstrate the strategic importance of water sources for national security and survival, highlighting the practical aspects of divine provision.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *Gîychôwn* is multifaceted, spanning creation, kingship, and divine providence:
* **Divine Abundance in Creation:** As one of the four rivers of Eden, Gihon symbolizes God's lavish and perfect provision for His creation. It represents the pristine, life-sustaining environment designed by God, where all needs are met by His overflowing grace. This initial context establishes Gihon as a primordial source of life and blessing.
* **The Source of Legitimacy and Blessing for Kingship:** The anointing of Solomon at the Gihon Spring carried profound theological weight. It underscored the divine sanction of his reign, linking his authority to a source of life and purity. This act ritually connected the earthly king's power to God's heavenly authority, with the gushing waters symbolizing a continuous flow of divine favor upon the throne of David.
* **God's Sustaining Presence in History:** The Gihon Spring in Jerusalem serves as a tangible reminder of God's continuous care for His covenant people. During times of peace, it provided daily sustenance; during times of siege, as in Hezekiah's era, its secure water supply demonstrated God's providential protection and the wisdom He grants to leaders. It signifies that even in the face of adversity, God ensures the survival of His chosen city and people.
* **Continuity of Divine Care:** The shared name, despite the geographical distinction between the Edenic river and the Jerusalem spring, subtly suggests a continuity of God's character as Provider. From the initial perfection of creation to the historical struggles of His people, God remains the ultimate source of life and sustenance, gushing forth blessings for humanity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *Gîychôwn* (`{{H1521}}`), rooted in the concept of "gushing forth," holds significant biblical meaning in two distinct contexts. Primarily, it names one of the four rivers flowing from the Garden of Eden ([[Genesis 2:13]]), symbolizing God's abundant provision and the pristine vitality of creation. Secondarily, it refers to the Gihon Spring, a vital water source for ancient Jerusalem. This spring was the site of Solomon's anointing as king ([[1 Kings 1:33]], [[1 Kings 1:38]], [[1 Kings 1:45]]), thereby imbuing his reign with divine legitimacy and blessing. Furthermore, King Hezekiah's strategic efforts to secure the Gihon's waters during the Assyrian threat ([[2 Chronicles 32:30]]) highlight its critical role in Jerusalem's survival and God's providential care. Theologically, *Gîychôwn* consistently represents divine sustenance, the source of life and purity, and the enduring nature of God's provision for His creation and His people, from the dawn of time to the historical unfolding of His covenant.
TRV