perhaps from גֵּרָה; a grain; Gera, the name of six Israelites; Gera.
Transliteration:Gêrâʼ
Pronunciation:gay-raw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma גֵּרָא (Gêrâʼ), Strong's `{{H1617}}`, functions primarily as a proper noun in the biblical text, designating the name of several individuals. Its base definition suggests a possible derivation from גֵּרָה (gērāh, `{{H1620}}`), which means "cud" or "grain." If derived from "grain," the name Gera could subtly imply concepts such as "a small particle," "seed," or "offspring," though for a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to its identity as a personal name. The etymological connection to "grain" might hint at foundational elements, perhaps signifying a progenitor or a member of a significant lineage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Gera appears in several contexts within the Old Testament, consistently associated with the tribe of Benjamin:
1. **Gera, father of Ehud:** This is the most prominent occurrence. Gera is identified as a Benjamite and the father of Ehud, the left-handed judge who delivered Israel from the oppression of Moab ([[Judges 3:15]]). This connection places a Gera at a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as the progenitor of a divinely appointed deliverer.
2. **Gera, son of Bela:** In the genealogies of Benjamin, Gera is listed as one of the sons of Bela, who was a son of Benjamin ([[1 Chronicles 8:3]], [[1 Chronicles 8:5]]). This indicates Gera as a significant figure in the early tribal structure and lineage of Benjamin.
3. **Gera, son of Ehud (another Ehud):** Another Gera is mentioned as a son of a different Ehud, also within the Benjamite lineage ([[1 Chronicles 8:7]]). This highlights the recurrence of the name within the tribe.
4. **Gera, an ancestor of Saul:** Gera is also found in the extended genealogies of Benjamin, connecting to the lineage that would eventually produce King Saul ([[1 Chronicles 8:16]]).
5. **Shimei, son of Gera:** Perhaps equally notable is Shimei, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who is consistently identified as "the son of Gera" when he curses King David during Absalom's rebellion ([[2 Samuel 16:5]], [[2 Samuel 19:16]], [[1 Kings 2:8]]). While the focus is on Shimei, the repeated patronymic suggests that Gera was a known or respected ancestor within that particular Benjamite clan, whose descendants later opposed the Davidic monarchy.
Across these occurrences, the name Gera is firmly rooted in the tribe of Benjamin, emphasizing its tribal identity and the intricate genealogical records preserved in the biblical narrative.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relation to גֵּרָא (Gêrâʼ, `{{H1617}}`) is גֵּרָה (gērāh, `{{H1620}}`), from which it is likely derived. This root word signifies "cud" (as in ruminant animals) or "a grain." The "grain" meaning is particularly relevant for a proper noun, potentially alluding to a "kernel" or "seed," which could metaphorically represent a foundational individual or progenitor in a lineage.
Beyond this direct etymological link, the occurrences of Gera are intrinsically tied to:
* **Lineage and Genealogy:** The repeated appearance of Gera within the Benjamite tribal lists underscores the biblical emphasis on ancestry, tribal identity, and the meticulous preservation of family lines.
* **The Tribe of Benjamin:** All individuals named Gera are Benjamites, linking the name to the history, characteristics, and significant figures of this specific tribe, including its role in the early monarchy and its often complex relationship with the tribe of Judah.
* **Judgeship and Deliverance:** The most prominent Gera is the father of Ehud, a judge raised up by God to deliver Israel, connecting the name to themes of divine intervention and human agency in salvation history.
### Theological Significance
As a proper noun, גֵּרָא (Gêrâʼ) does not carry inherent theological meaning in the same way a theological concept or action verb might. However, the individuals bearing this name, and their descendants, play roles within the broader theological narrative of Israel:
1. **Divine Sovereignty in Deliverance:** The Gera who fathered Ehud is significant because Ehud was chosen by God to deliver Israel. This highlights God's sovereign choice of individuals, even from a relatively small tribe like Benjamin, and His ability to use unconventional means (Ehud's left-handedness) to accomplish His purposes. Gera, as Ehud's father, is part of the divine plan to rescue His people.
2. **Importance of Lineage and Covenant:** The recurring presence of the name Gera in Benjamite genealogies underscores the biblical emphasis on lineage as a vehicle for God's covenant promises and the unfolding of His plan. The meticulous record-keeping of families and tribes reflects God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, which established the twelve tribes as His chosen people.
3. **Human Character and Consequences:** The actions of Shimei, a descendant of a Gera, illustrate themes of human rebellion, loyalty, and the complex interplay between divine judgment and human responsibility. Shimei's cursing of David, and David's subsequent dealings with him, provide insight into the challenges of kingship, the nature of forgiveness, and the eventual outworking of justice.
4. **Tribal Identity and National History:** The concentration of Gera figures within Benjamin highlights the importance of tribal identity in shaping Israel's national history, including inter-tribal dynamics and the establishment of the monarchy.
### Summary
גֵּרָא (Gêrâʼ), Strong's `{{H1617}}`, is a Hebrew proper noun designating several individuals, predominantly within the tribe of Benjamin. The name is likely derived from `{{H1620}}` (gērāh), meaning "grain" or "cud," possibly implying "a small particle" or "seed." The most notable Gera is the father of Ehud, the left-handed judge who delivered Israel from Moab ([[Judges 3:15]]). Other individuals named Gera appear in Benjamite genealogies ([[1 Chronicles 8:3]], [[1 Chronicles 8:5]], [[1 Chronicles 8:7]], [[1 Chronicles 8:16]]), and the name is also prominent through Shimei, "the son of Gera," who cursed King David ([[2 Samuel 16:5]]). While Gera itself is a proper noun without direct theological meaning, the figures bearing this name are integral to the biblical narrative, illustrating God's sovereign choice in raising up deliverers, the significance of tribal lineage in God's covenant plan, and the complexities of human character within the unfolding history of Israel.
TRV