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Smith's Bible Dictionary
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Gaal
(contempt), son of Ebed, aided the Shechemites in their
rebellion against Abimelech. (Judges 9:1) ... (B.C. 1206.)
Gaash
(earthquake), a hill of Ephraim, where Joshua was buried. The
brooks or valley of Gaash, (2 Samuel 23:30; 1 Chronicles 11:32)
were probably at the foot of the hill.
Gaba
The same name as [529]Geba, which see.
Gabatha
(Esther 12:1) [[530]Bigthan, Or Bigthana]
Gabbai
(tax gatherer), apparently the head of an important family of
Benjamin resident at Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 11:8) (B.C. before
536.)
Gabbatha
(elevated; a platform) the Hebrew or Chaldee appellation of a
place, also called "Pavement," where the judgment-seat or bema
was planted, from his place on which Pilate delivered our Lord
to death. (John 19:13) It was a tessellated platform outside
the praetorium, on the western hill of Jerusalem, for Pilate
brought Jesus forth from thence to it.
Gabriel
(man of God), an angel sent by God to announce to Zacharias the
birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary the birth of Christ. He
was also sent to Daniel to explain his visions. (Daniel 8:16;
9:21)
Gad
(a troop).
+ Jacob's seventh son, the first-born of Zilpah, Leah's maid,
and whole-brother to Asher. (Genesis 30:11-13; 46:16,18)
(B.C. 1753-1740.)
+ "The seer," or "the king's seer," i.e. David's (1 Chronicles
29:29; 2 Chronicles 29:25) was a "prophet" who appears to
have joined David when in the old. (1 Samuel 22:5) (B.C.
1061.) He reappears in connection with the punishment
inflicted for the numbering of the people. (2 Samuel
24:11-19; 1 Chronicles 21:9-19) He wrote a book of the Acts
of David, (1 Chronicles 29:29) and also assisted in the
arrangements for the musical service of the "house of God."
(2 Chronicles 29:25)
Gad, The Tribe Of
The country allotted to the tribe of Gad appears, speaking
roughly, to have lain chiefly about the centre of the land east
of Jordan. The sought of that district--from the Arnon (Wady
Mojeb), about halfway down the Dead Sea, to Heshbon, nearly due
east of Jerusalem--was occupied by Reuben, and at or about
Heshbon the possessions of Gad commenced. They embraced half
Gilead, (3:12) or half the land of the children of Ammon,
(Joshua 13:25) probably the mountainous district which is
intersected by the torrent Jabbok, including, as its most
northern town, the ancient sanctuary of Mahanaim. On the east
the furthest landmark given is "Aroer that is before Rabbah,"
the present Amman . (Joshua 13:25) West was the Jordan. ver.
(Joshua 13:27) The character of the tribe is throughout
strongly marked--fierce and warlike.
Gadara
a strong city situated near the river Hieromax, six miles
southeast of the Sea of Galilee, over against Scythopolis and
Tiberias, and 16 Roman miles distant from each of those places.
Josephus calls it the capital of Peraea. The ruins of this
city, now called Um Keis, are about two miles in circumference.
The most interesting remains of Gadara are its tombs, which dot
the cliffs for a considerable distance around the city. Godet
says there is still a population of 200 souls in these tombs.
Gadara was captured by Vespasian on the first outbreak of the
war with the Jews, all its inhabitants were massacred, and the
town itself, with the surrounding villages, was reduced to
ashes.
Gadarenes, Girgesenes, Gerasenes
(These three names are used indiscriminately to designate the
place where Jesus healed two demoniacs. The first two are in
the Authorized Version. (Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:1; Luke 8:26) In
Gerasenes in place of Gadarenes. The miracle referred to took
place, without doubt, near the town of Gergesa, the modern
Kersa, close by the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, and
hence in the country of Gergesenes. But as Gergesa was a small
village, and little known, the evangelists, who wrote for more
distant readers, spoke of the event as taking place in the
country of the Gadarenes, so named from its largest city,
Gadara; and this country included the country of the Gergesenes
as a state includes a county. The Gerasenes were the people of
the district of which Gerasa was the capital. This city was
better known than Gadara or Gergesa; indeed in the Roman age no
city of Palestine was better known. "It became one of the
proudest cities of Syria." It was situated some 30 miles
southeast of Gadara, on the borders of Peraea and a little
north of the river Jabbok. It is now called Jerash and is a
deserted ruin. The district of the Gerasenes probably included
that of the Gadarenes; so that the demoniac of Gergesa belonged
to the country of the Gadarenes and also to that of the
Gerasenes, as the same person may, with equal truth, be said to
live in the city or the state, or in the United States. For
those near by the local name would be used; but in writing to a
distant people, as the Greeks and Romans, the more
comprehensive and general name would be given.--ED.)
Gaddi
(fortunate), son of Susi; the Manassite spy sent by Moses to
explore Canaan. (Numbers 13:11) (B.C. 1490.)
Gaddiel
(fortune of God) a Zebulunite, one of the twelve spies.
(Numbers 13:10) (B.C. 1490.)
Gadi
A Gadite, father of Menahem a king of Israel. (2 Kings
15:14,17)
Gadites, The
the descendants of Gad, and members of his tribe.
Gaham
(sunburnt), son of Nahor Abraham's brother, by his concubine
Reumah. (Genesis 22:24) (B.C. about 1900.)
Gahar
(hiding-place) The Bene-Gahar were among the families of
Nethinim who returned from the captivity with Zerubbabel. (Ezra
2:47; Nehemiah 7:49) (B.C. before 536.)
Gaius
or Cai'us (lord)--
+ A Macedonian who accompanied Paul in his travels, and whose
life was in danger from the mob at Ephesus. (Acts 19:29)
(A.D. 54.)
+ Of Derbe. He went with Paul from Corinth in his last journey
to Jerusalem. (Acts 20:4) (A.D. 54.)
+ Of Corinth, whom Paul baptized and who was his host in his
second journey in that city. (1 Corinthians 1:14; Romans
16:23) (These are supposed by some to be only one person.)
+ John's third epistle is addressed to Christian of this name.
We may possibly identify him with No. 2.
Galaad
the Greek form of the word Gilead.
Galal
(influential)
+ A Levite, one of the sons of Asaph. (1 Chronicles 9:15) (B.C.
536.)
+ Another Levite, of the family of Elkanah. (1 Chronicles 9:16)
+ A third Levite, son of Jeduthun. (Nehemiah 11:17) (B.C. 536.)
Galatia
(land of the Galli, Gauls). The Roman province of Galatia may
be roughly described as the central region of the peninsula of
Asia Minor, bounded on the north by Bithynia and Paphlagonia;
on the east by Pontus; on the south by Cappadocia and Lycaonia;
on the west by Phrygia.--Encyc. Brit. It derived its name from
the Gallic or Celtic tribes who, about 280 B.C., made an
irruption into Macedonia and Thrace. It finally became a Roman
province. The Galatia of the New Testament has really the
"Gaul" of the East. The people have always been described as
"susceptible of quick impressions and sudden changes, with a
fickleness equal to their courage and enthusiasm, and a
constant liability to that disunion which is the fruit of
excessive vanity.--The Galatian churches were founded by Paul
at his first visit, when he was detained among, them by
sickness, (Galatians 4:13) during his second missionary
journey, about A.D 51. He visited them again on his third
missionary tour.
Galatians, The Epistle To The
was written by the apostle St. Paul not long after his journey
through Galatia and Phrygia, (Acts 18:23) and probably in the
early portion of his two-and-a-half-years stay at Ephesus,
which terminated with the Pentecost of A.D. 57 or 58. The
epistle appears to have been called forth by the machinations
of Judaizing teachers, who, shortly before the date of its
composition, had endeavored to seduce the churches of this
province into a recognition of circumcision, (Galatians
5:2,11,12; 6:12) seq., and had openly sought to depreciate the
apostolic claims of St. Paul. Comp. (Galatians 1:1,11) "Since
the days of Luther the Epistle to the Galatians has always been
held in high esteem as the gospel's banner of freedom. To it
and the Epistle to the Romans we owe most directly the
springing up and development of the ideas and energies of the
Reformation."--Meyer.
Galbanum
one of the perfumes employed in the preparation of the sacred
incense. (Exodus 10:34) The galbanum of commerce is brought
chiefly from India and the Levant. It is a resinous gum of a
brownish-yellow color and strong disagreeable smell, usually
met with in masses, but sometimes found in yellowish tear-like
drops. But, though galbanum itself is well known, the plant
which yields it has not been exactly determined.
Galeed
(the heap of witness), the name given by Jacob to the heap
which he and Laban made on Mount Gilead in witness of the
covenant then entered into between them. (Genesis 31:47,48)
comp. Genesis31:23,25
(the heap of witness), the name given by Jacob to the heap
which he and Laban made on Mount Gilead in witness of the
masses, but sometimes found in yellowish tear-like drops. But,
though galbanum itself is well known, the plant which yields it
has not been exactly determined.
Galileans
the inhabitants of Galilee, the northern province of Palestine.
The apostles were all Galileans by either birth or residence.
(Acts 1:11) It appears also that the pronunciation of those
Jews who resided in Galilee had become peculiar, probably from
their contact with their Gentile neighbors. (Matthew 26:73)
Galilee
(circuit). This name, which in the Roman age was applied to a
large province, seems to have been originally confined to a
little "circuit" of country round Kedesh-Naphtali, in which
were situated the twenty towns given by Solomon to Hiram king
of Tyre as payment for his work in conveying timber from
Lebanon to Jerusalem. (Joshua 20:7; 1 Kings 9:11) In the time
of our Lord all Palestine was divided into three provinces,
Judea, Samaria and Galilee. (Luke 17:11; Acts 9:31) Joseph.
B.J. iii. 3. The latter included the whole northern section of
the country, including the ancient territories of Issachar,
Zebulun, Asher and Naphtali. On the west it was bounded by the
territory of Ptolemais, which probably included the whole plain
of Akka to the foot of Carmel. The southern border ran along
the base of Carmel and of the hills of Samaria to Mount Gilboa,
and then descended the valley of Jezreel by Scythopolis to the
Jordan. The river Jordan, the Sea of Galilee, and the upper
Jordan to the fountain at Dan, formed the eastern border; and
the northern ran from Dan westward across the mountain ridge
till it touched the territory of the Phoenicians. Galilee was
divided into two sections, "Lower" and "Upper." Lower Galilee
included the great plain of Esdraelon with its offshoots, which
ran down to the Jordan and the Lake of Tiberias, and the whole
of the hill country adjoining it on the north to the foot of
the mountain range. It was thus one of the richest and most
beautiful sections of Pales-tine. Upper Galilee embraced the
whole mountain range lying between the upper Jordan and
Phoenicia. To this region the name "Galilee of the Gentiles" is
given in the Old and New Testaments. (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:16)
Galilee was the scene of the greater part of our Lord's private
life and public acts. It is a remarkable fact that the first
three Gospels are chiefly taken up with our Lord's
ministrations in this province, while the Gospel of John dwells
more upon those in Judea. (Galilee in the time of Christ
.--From Rev. Selah Merrill's late book (1881) with this title,
we glean the following facts: Size .--It is estimated that of
the 1000 square miles in Palestine west of the Jordan, nearly
one-third, almost 2000 square miles, belongs to Galilee.
Population--The population is between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000.
Dr. Merrill argues for the general correctness of Josephus'
estimates, who says there were 204 cities and villages in
Galilee, the smallest of which numbered 15,000 inhabitants.
Character of the country . Galilee was a region of great
natural fertility. Such is the fertility of the soil that it
rejects no plant, for the air is so genial that it suits every
variety. The walnut, which delights above other trees in a
wintry climate, grows here luxuriantly together with the palm
tree, which is flourished by heat. It not only possesses the
extraordinary virtue of nourishing fruits of opposite climes,
but also maintains a continual supply of them. Here were found
all the productions which made Italy rich and beautiful.
Forests covered its mountains and hills, while its uplands,
gentle slopes and broader valleys were rich in pasture,
meadows, cultivated fields, vineyards, olive groves and fruit
trees of every kind. Character of the Galileans .--They were
thoroughly a Jewish people. With few exceptions they were
wealthy and in general an influential class. If one should say
the Jews were bigoted in religion, he should remember at the
same time that in regard to social, commercial and political
relations none were more cosmopolitan in either sentiment or
practice than they. The Galileans had many manufactures,
fisheries, some commerce, but were chiefly an agricultural
people. They were eminent for patriotism and courage, as were
their ancestors, with great respect for law and order.--ED.)
Galilee, Sea Of
So called from the province of Galilee, which bordered on the
western side. (Matthew 4:18) It was also called the "Sea of
Tiberias," from the celebrated city of that name. (John 6:1) At
its northwestern angle was a beautiful and fertile plain called
"Gennesaret," and from that it derived the name of "Lake of
Gennesaret." (Luke 5:1) It was called in the Old Testament "the
Sea of Chinnereth" or "Cinneroth," (Numbers 34:11; Joshua 12:3)
from a town of that name which stood on or near its shore.
(Joshua 19:35) Its modern name is Bahr Tubariyeh . Most of our
Lord's public life was spent in the environs of this sea. The
surrounding region was then the most densely peopled in all
Palestine. no less than nine very populous cities stood on the
very shores of the lake. The Sea of Galilee is of an oval long
and six broad. It is 60 miles northeast of Jerusalem and 27
east of the Mediterranean Sea. The river Jordan enters it at
its northern end and passes out at its southern end. In fact
the bed of the lake is just a lower section of the Great Jordan
valley. Its more remarkable feature is its deep depression,
being no less than 700 feet below the level of the ocean. The
scenery is bleak and monotonous, being surrounded by a high and
almost unbroken wall of hills, on account of which it is
exposed to frequent sudden and violent storms. The great
depression makes the climate of the shores almost tropical.
This is very sensibly felt by the traveller in going down from
the plains of Galilee. In summer the heat is intense, and even
in early spring the air has something of an Egyptian balminess.
The water of the lake is sweet, cool and transparent; and as
the beach is everywhere pebbly is has a beautiful sparkling
look. It abounds in fish now as in ancient times. There were
large fisheries on the lake, and much commerce was carried on
upon it.
Gall
+ Mereerah, denoting "that which is bitter;" hence the term is
applied to the "bile" or "gall" (the fluid secreted by the
liver), from its intense bitterness, (Job 16:13; 20:25) it is
also used of the "poison" of serpents, (Job 20:14) which the
ancients erroneously believed was their gall.
+ Rosh, generally translated "gall" in the English Bible, is in
(Hosea 10:4) rendered "hemlock:" in (32:33) and Job 20:16
rosh denotes the "poison" or "venom" of serpents. From
(29:18) and Lame 3:19 compared with Hose 10:4 It is evident
that the Hebrew term denotes some bitter and perhaps
poisonous plant. Other writers have supposed, and with some
reason, from (32:32) that some berry-bearing plant must be
intended. Gesenius understands poppies; in which case the
gall mingled with the wine offered to our Lord at his
crucifixion, and refused by him, would be an anaesthetic, and
tend to diminish the sense of suffering. Dr. Richardson, "Ten
Lectures on Alcohol," p. 23, thinks these drinks were given
to the crucified to diminish the suffering through their
intoxicating effects.
Gallery
an architectural term describing the porticos or verandas which
are not uncommon in eastern houses. It is doubtful, however,
whether the Hebrew words so translated have any reference to
such an object. (According to the latest researches, the
colonnade or else wainscoting is meant. (Song of Solomon 1:17;
Ezekiel 41:15)--Schaff.)
Galley
[[531]Ship]
Gallim
(fountains). This is given as the native place of the man to
whom Michal, David's wife, was given. (1 Samuel 25:44) There is
no clue to the situation of the place. The name occurs again in
the catalogue of places terrified at the approach of
Sennacherib. (Isaiah 10:30)
Gallio
(one who lives on milk), Junius Annaeus Gallio, the Roman
proconsul of Achaia when St. Paul was at Corinth, A.D. 53,
under the emperor Claudius. (Acts 18:12) He was brother to
Lucius Annaeus Seneca, the philosopher. Jerome in the Chronicle
of Eusebius says that he committed suicide in 65 A.D. Winer
thinks he was put to death by Nero.
Gallows
[[532]Punishments]
Gamaliel
(recompense of God).
+ Son of Pedahzur; prince or captain of the tribe of Manasseh
at the census at Sinai, (Numbers 1:10; 20:20; 7:54,59) and at
starting on the march through the wilderness. ch. (Numbers
10:23) (B.C. 1490.)
+ A pharisee and celebrated doctor of the law, who gave prudent
worldly advice in the Sanhedrin respecting the treatment of
the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. (Acts 5:34) ff. (A.D.
29.) We learn from (Acts 22:3) that he was the preceptor of
St. Paul. He is generally identified with the very celebrated
Jewish doctor Gamaliel, grandson of Hillel, and who is
referred to as authority in the Jewish Mishna.
Games
Among the Greeks the rage for theatrical exhibitions was such
that every city of any size possessed its theatre and stadium.
At Ephesus an annual contest was held in honor of Diana. It is
probable that St. Paul was present when these games were
proceeding. A direct reference to the exhibitions that I took
place on such occasions is made in (1 Corinthians 15:32) St.
Paul's epistles abound with allusions to the Greek contests,
borrowed probably from the Isthmian games, at which he may well
have been present during his first visit to Corinth. These
contests, (1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7) were divided into two
classes, the pancratium, consisting of boxing and wrestling,
and the pentathlon, consisting of leaping, running, quoiting,
hurling the spear and wrestling. The competitors, (1
Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 2:5) required a long and severe
course of previous training, (1 Timothy 4:8) during which a
particular diet was enforced. (1 Corinthians 9:25,27) In the
Olympic contests these preparatory exercises extended over a
period of ten months, during the last of which they were
conducted under the supervision of appointed officers. The
contests took place in the presence of a vast multitude of
spectators, (Hebrews 12:1) the competitors being the spectacle.
(1 Corinthians 4:9; Hebrews 10:33) The games were opened by the
proclamation of a herald, (1 Corinthians 9:27) whose office it
was to give out the name and country of each candidate, and
especially to announce the name of the victor before the
assembled multitude. The judge was selected for his spotless
integrity; (2 Timothy 4:8) his office was to decide any
disputes, (Colossians 3:15) and to give the prize, (1
Corinthians 9:24; Philemon 3:14) consisting of a crown, (2
Timothy 2:6; 4:8) of leaves of wild olive at the Olympic games,
and of pine, or at one period ivy, at the Isthmian games. St.
Paul alludes to two only out of the five contests, boxing and
running, more frequently to the latter. The Jews had no public
games, the great feasts of religion supplying them with
anniversary occasions of national gatherings.
Gammadim
This word occurs only in (Ezekiel 27:11) A variety of
explanations of the term have been offered.
+ One class renders it "pygmies."
+ A second treats it as a geographical or local term.
+ A third gives a more general sense to the word "brave
warriors." Hitzig suggests "deserters." After all, the
rendering in the LXX.--"guards"-- furnishes the simplest
explanation.
Gamul
(weaned), a priest, the leader of the twenty-second course in
the service at the sanctuary. (1 Chronicles 24:17) (B.C. 535.)
Garden
Gardens in the East, as the Hebrew word indicates, are
enclosures on the outskirts of towns, planted with various
trees and shrubs. From the allusions in the Bible we learn that
they were surrounded by hedges of thorn, (Isaiah 5:5) or walls
of stone. (Proverbs 24:31) For further protection lodges,
(Isaiah 1:8; Lamentations 2:6) or watchtowers, (Mark 12:1) were
built in them, in which sat the keeper, (Job 27:18) to drive
away the wild beasts and robbers, as is the case to this day.
The gardens of the Hebrews were planted with flowers and
aromatic shrubs, (Song of Solomon 6:2; 4:16) besides olives,
fig trees, nuts or walnuts, (Song of Solomon 6:12)
pomegranates, and others for domestic use. (Exodus 23:11;
Jeremiah 29:5; Amos 9:14) Gardens of herbs, or kitchen gardens,
are mentioned in (11:10) and 1Kin 21:2 The rose garden in
Jerusalem, said to have been situated westward of the temple
mount, it is remarkable as having been one of the few gardens
which, from the time of the prophets, existed within the city
walls. The retirement of gardens rendered them favorite places
for devotion.
Gareb
(scabby), one of the heroes of David's army. (2 Samuel 23:38)
Gareb, The Hill
in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, named only in (Jeremiah
31:39)
Garlic
(Numbers 11:5) is the Allium sativum of Linnaeus, which abounds
in Egypt.
Garment
[[533]Dress]
Garmite, The
Keilah the Garmite, i.e. the descendant of Gerem, is mentioned
in the obscure genealogical lists of the families of Judah. (1
Chronicles 4:19)
Garrison
The Hebrew words so rendered in the Authorized Version are
derivatives from the root natsab, to "place, erect," which may
be applied to a variety of objects.
+ Mattsab and mattsabah undoubtedly mean a "garrison" or
fortified post. (1 Samuel 13:23; 14:14; 1 Samuel 15; 2 Samuel
23:14)
+ Netsib is also used for a "garrison" in (1 Chronicles 11:16)
but elsewhere for a "column" erected in an enemy's country as
a token of conquest. (1 Samuel 13:3)
+ The same word elsewhere means "officers" placed over a
vanquished people. (2 Samuel 8:6,14; 1 Chronicles 18:13; 2
Chronicles 17:2)
+ Mattsebah in (Ezekiel 26:11) means a "pillar."
Gashmu
a variation of the name [534]Geshem. (Nehemiah 6:6) (B.C. 446.)
Gatam
(a burnt valley), the fourth son of Eliphaz the son of Esau,
(Genesis 36:11; 1 Chronicles 1:36) and one of the "dukes" of
Eliphaz. (Genesis 36:16) (B.C. after 1760.)
Gate
The gate and gateways of eastern cities anciently held and
still hold an important part, not only in the defence but in
the public economy of the place. They are thus sometimes taken
as representing the city itself. (Genesis 22:17; 24:60; 12:12;
Judges 5:8; Ruth 4:10; Psalms 87:2; 122:2) Among the special
purposes for which they were used may be mentioned.
+ As places of public resort. (Genesis 19:1; 23:10; 34:20; 24;
1 Samuel 4:18) etc.
+ Places for public deliberation, administration of Justice, or
of audience for kings and rulers or ambassadors. (16:18;
21:19; 25:7; Joshua 20:4; Judges 9:35) etc.
+ Public markets. (2 Kings 7:1) In heathen towns the open
spaces near the gates appear to have been sometimes used as
places for sacrifice. (Acts 14:13) comp 2Kin 23:8 Regarded
therefore as positions of great importance, the gates of
cities were carefully guarded, and closed at nightfall. (3:5;
Joshua 2:5,7; Judges 9:40,44) They contained chambers over
the gateway. (2 Samuel 18:24) The doors themselves of the
larger gates mentioned in Scripture were two leaved, plated
with metal, closed with locks and fastened with metal bars.
(3:6; Psalms 107:16; Isaiah 46:1,2) Gates not defended by
iron were of course liable to be set on fire by an enemy.
(Judges 9:52) The gateways of royal palaces and even of
private houses were often richly ornamented. Sentences from
the law were inscribed on and above the gates. (6:9; Isaiah
64:12; Revelation 21:21) The gates of Solomon's temple were
very massive and costly, being overlaid with gold and
carving. (1 Kings 6:34,35; 2 Kings 18:16) Those of the holy
place were of olive wood, two-leaved and overlaid with gold;
those of the temple of fir. (1 Kings 6:31,32,34; Ezekiel
41:23,24)
Gath
(a wine press), one of the five royal cities of the
Philistines; (Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:17) and the native place
of the giant Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:4,23) It probably stood upon
the conspicuous hill now called Tell-es-Safieh, upon the side
of the plain of Philistia, at the foot of the mountains of
Judah; 10 miles east of Ashdod, and about the same distance
south by east of Ekron. It is irregular in form, and about 200
feet high. Gath occupied a strong position, (2 Chronicles 11:8)
on the border of Judah and Philistia, (1 Samuel 21:10; 1
Chronicles 18:1) and from its strength and resources forming
the key of both countries, it was the scene of frequent
struggles, and was often captured and recaptured. (2 Kings
12:17; 2 Chronicles 11:8; 26:6; Amos 6:2) The ravages of war to
which Gath was exposed appear to have destroyed it at a
comparatively early period, as it is not mentioned among the
other royal cities by the later prophets. (Zephaniah 2:4;
Zechariah 9:5,6) It is familiar to the Bible student as the
scene of one of the most romantic incidents in the life of King
David. (1 Samuel 21:10-15)
Gathhepher, Or Gittahhepher
(wine-press on the hill), a town on the border of the territory
of Zebulun, not far from Japhia, now 'Yafa, (Joshua 19:12,13)
celebrated as the native place of the prophet Jonah. (2 Kings
14:25) El-Meshhad, a village two-miles east of Sefurieh, is the
ancient Gath-hepher.
Gathrimmon
(press of the pomegranate)
+ A city given out of the tribe of Dan to the Levites. (Joshua
21:24; 1 Chronicles 6:69) situated on the plain of Philistia,
apparently not far from Joppa. (Joshua 19:45)
+ A town of the half tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan,
assigned to the Levites. (Joshua 21:25) The reading
Gath-rimmon is probably an error of the transcribers.
Gaza
(the fortified; the strong) (properly Azzah), one of the five
chief cities of the Philistines. It is remarkable for its
continuous existence and importance from the very earliest
times. The secret of this unbroken history is to be found in
the situation of Gaza. It is the last town in the southwest of
Palestine, on the frontier towards Egypt. The same peculiarity
of situation has made Gaza important in a military sense. Its
name means "the strong;" and this was well elucidated in its
siege by Alexander the Great, which lasted five months. In the
conquest of Joshua the territory of Gaza is mentioned as one
which he was not able to subdue. (Joshua 10:41; 11:22; 13:3) It
was assigned to the tribe of Judah, (Joshua 15:47) and that
tribe did obtain possession of it, (Judges 1:18) but did not
hold it long, (Judges 3:3; 13:1) and apparently it continued
through the time of Samuel, Saul and David to be a Philistine
city. 1Sam 6:17; 14:52; 31:1; 2Sam 21:15 Solomon became master
of "Azzah," (1 Kings 4:24) but in after times the same trouble
with the Philistines recurred. (2 Chronicles 21:16; 26:6;
28:18) The passage where Gaza is mentioned in the New Testament
(Acts 8:26) is full of interest. It is the account of the
baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch on his return from Jerusalem to
Egypt. Gaza is the modern Ghuzzeh, a Mohammedan town of about
16,000 inhabitants, situated partly on an oblong hill of
moderate height and partly on the lower ground. The climate of
the place is almost tropical, but it has deep wells of
excellent water. There are a few palm trees in the town, and
its fruit orchards are very productive; but the chief feature
of the neighborhood is the wide-spread olive grove to the north
and northeast
Gazathites, The
(Joshua 13:3) the inhabitants of Gaza.
Gazer
(2 Samuel 5:25; 1 Chronicles 14:16) [[535]Gezer]
Gazez
(shearer), a name which occurs twice in (1 Chronicles
2:46)--first as son of Caleb by Ephah his concubine, and second
as son of Haran, the son of the same woman. The second is
possibly only a repetition of the first (B.C. after 1688.)
Gazites, The
Inhabitants of Gaza. (Judges 16:2)
Gazzam
(devouring). The Bene-Gazzam were among the familiar of the
Nethinim who returned from the captivity with Zerubbabel. (Ezra
2:48; Nehemiah 7:51) (B.C. 536.)
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Geba
(a hill), a city of Benjamin, with "suburbs," allotted to the
priests. (Joshua 21:17; 1 Chronicles 6:60) It is named amongst
the first group of the Benjamite towns--apparently those lying
near to and along the north boundary. (Joshua 18:24) Here the
name is given as [536]Gaba. During the wars of the earlier part
of the reign of Saul, Geba was held as a garrison by the
Philistines, (1 Samuel 13:3) but they were ejected by Jonathan.
It is now the modern village of Jeba, which stands
picturesquely on the top of its steep terraced hill, six miles
north of Jerusalem, on the very edge of the great Wady
Suweinit, looking northward to the opposite village of ancient
Michmash, which also retains its old name of Mukhmas .
Gebal
(mountain), a maritime town of Phoenicia, near Tyre, (Ezekiel
27:9) known by the Greeks as Byblus. It is called Jebail by the
Arabs, thus reviving the old biblical name.
Geber
(manly).
+ The son of Geber resided in the fortress of Ramoth-gilead,
and had charge of Havoth-jair and the district of Argob. (1
Kings 4:13) (B.C. 1013).
+ Geber the son of Uri had a district south of the former--the
"land of Gilead." (1 Kings 4:19)
Gebim
(grasshoppers), a village north of Jerusalem, (Isaiah 10:31)
apparently between Anathoth (the modern Anata) and the ridge on
which Nob was situated.
Gedaliah
(God is my greatness), son of Ahikam (Jeremiah's protector,
(Jeremiah 26:24) and grandson of Shaphan the secretary of King
Josiah. After the destruction of the temple, B.C. 588,
Nebuchadnezzar departed from Judea, leaving Gedaliah with a
Chaldean guard, (Jeremiah 40:5) at Mizpah to govern the
vinedressers and husbandmen, (Jeremiah 52:16) who were exempted
from captivity. Jeremiah jointed Gedaliah; and Mizpah became
the resort of Jews from various quarters. (Jeremiah 40:6,11) He
was murdered by Ishmael two months after his appointment.
Gedeon
The Greek form of the Hebrew name [537]Gideon. (Hebrews 11:32)
Geder
(a wall). The king of Geder was one of the thirty-one kings who
were overcome by Joshua on the west of the Jordan. (Joshua
12:13) (B.C. 1445.) It is possible that it may be the same
place as the Geder named in (1 Chronicles 4:39)
Gederah
(a sheepfold), a town of Judah in the lowland country, (Joshua
15:36) apparently in its eastern part. No town bearing this
name has, however, been yet discovered in this hitherto
little-explored district.
Gederathite, The
the native of a place called Gederah, apparently in Benjamin.
(1 Chronicles 12:4)
Gederite, The
the native of some place named Geder or Gederah. (1 Chronicles
27:28)
Gederoth
(sheepfolds), a town in the low country of Judah. (Joshua
15:41; 2 Chronicles 28:18)
Gederothaim
(two sheepfolds), a town in the low country of Judah, (Joshua
15:36) named next in order to Gederah.
Gedor
(a wall), a town int he mountainous part of Judah, (Joshua
15:58) a few miles north of Hebron. Robinson discovered a Jedur
halfway between Bethlehem and Hebron, about two miles west of
the road.
Gehazi
(valley of vision), the servant or boy of Elisha. He was sent
as the prophet's messenger on two occasions to the good
Shunammite, (2 Kings 4:1) ... (B.C. 889-887); obtained
fraudulently money and garments from Naaman, was miraculously
smitten with incurable leprosy, and was dismissed from the
prophet's service. (2 Kings 5:1) ... Later in the history he is
mentioned as being engaged in relating to King Joram all the
great things which Elisha had done. (2 Kings 8:4,5)
Gehenna
[[538]Hinnom]
Geliloth
(circuit), a place named among the marks of the south boundary
line of the tribe of Benjamin. (Joshua 18:17) The name Geliloth
never occurs again in this locality, and it therefore seems
probable that Gilgal is the right reading.
Gemalli
(camel-driver), the father of Ammiel, the Danite spy. (Numbers
13:12) (B.C. 1490.)
Gemariah
(perfected by Jehovah).
+ Son of Shaphan the scribe, and father of Michaiah. He was one
of the nobles of Judah, and had a chamber int he house of the
Lord, from which Baruch read Jeremiah's alarming prophecy in
the ears of all the people, B.C. 606. (Jeremiah 36:1) ...
+ Son of Hilkiah, was made the bearer of Jeremiah's letter to
the captive Jews. (Jeremiah 29:3) (B.C. 594.)
Gems
[[539]Stones, Precious, PRECIOUS]
Genealogy
In Hebrew the term for genealogy or pedigree is "the book of
the generations;" and because the oldest histories were usually
drawn up on a genealogical basis, the expression often extended
to the whole history, as is the case with the Gospel of St.
Matthew, where "the book of the generation of Jesus Christ"
includes the whole history contained in that Gospel. The
promise of the land of Canaan to the seed of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob successively, and the separation of the Israelites from
the Gentile world; the expectation of Messiah as to spring from
the tribe of Judah; the exclusively hereditary priesthood of
Aaron with its dignity and emoluments; the long succession of
kings in the line of David; and the whole division and
occupations of the land upon genealogical principles by the
tribes, occupation of the land upon genealogical principles by
the tribes, families and houses of fathers, gave a deeper
importance to the science of genealogy among the Jews than
perhaps any other nation. When Zerubbabel brought back the
captivity from Babylon, one of his first cares seems to have
been to take a census of those that returned, and to settle
them according to their genealogies. Passing on to the time of
the birth of Christ, we have a striking incidental proof of the
continuance of the Jewish genealogical economy in the fact that
when Augustus ordered the census of the empire to be taken, the
Jews in the province of Syria immediately went each one to his
own city. The Jewish genealogical records continued to be kept
till near the destruction of Jerusalem. But there can be little
doubt that the registers of the Jewish tribes and families
perished at the destruction of Jerusalem, and not before. It
remains to be said that just notions of the nature of the
Jewish genealogical records are of great importance with a view
to the right interpretation of Scripture. Let it only be
remembered that these records have respect to political and
territorial divisions as much as to strictly genealogical
descent, and it will at once be seen how erroneous a conclusion
it may be that all who are called "sons" of such or such a
patriarch or chief father must necessarily be his very
children. Of any one family or house became extinct, some other
would succeed to its place, called after its own chief father.
Hence of course a census of any tribe drawn up at a later
period would exhibit different divisions from one drawn up at
an earlier. The same principle must be borne in mind in
interpreting any particular genealogy Again, when a pedigree
was abbreviated, it would naturally specify such generations as
would indicates from what chief houses the person descended.
Females are named in genealogies when there is anything
remarkable about them, or when any right or property is
transmitted through them. See (Genesis 11:29; 22:23; 25:1-4;
35:22-26; Exodus 6:23; Numbers 26:33)
Genealogy Of Jesus Christ
The New Testament gives us the genealogy of but one person,
that of our Saviour. This is given because it was important to
prove that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies spoken of him. Only
as the son and heir of David should he be the Messiah. The
following propositions will explain the true construction of
these genealogies:--
+ They are both the genealogies of Joseph, i.e. of Jesus Christ
as the reputed and legal son of Joseph and Mary.
+ The genealogy of St. Matthew is Joseph's genealogy as legal
successor to the throne of David. St. Luke's is Joseph's
private Genealogy, exhibiting his real birth as David's son,
and thus showing why he was heir to Solomon's crown. The
simple principle that one evangelist exhibits that genealogy
which contained the successive heir to David's and Solomon's
throne, while the other exhibits the paternal stem of him who
was the heir, explains all the anomalies of the two
pedigrees, their agreements as well as their discrepancies,
and the circumstance of there being two at all.
+ Mary, the mother of Jesus, was in all probability the
daughter of Jacob, and first cousin to Joseph her husband.
Thus: Matthan or Matthat Father of Jacob, Heli Jacob Father
of Mary = Jacob'e heir was (Joseph) Heli Father of Joseph
JESUS, called Christ. (Godet, Lange and many others take the
ground that Luke gives the genealogy of Mary, rendering (Luke
3:23) thus: Jesus "being (as was suppposed) the son of
Joseph, (but in reality) the son of Heli." In this case Mary,
as declared in the Targums, was the daughter of Heli, and
Heli was the grandfather of Jesus. Mary's name was omitted
because "ancient sentiment did not comport with the mention
of the mother as the genealogical link." So we often find in
the Old Testament the grandson called the son. This view has
this greatly in its favor, that it shows that Jesus was not
merely the legal but the actual descendant of David; and it
would be very strange that in the gospel accounts, where so
much is made of Jesus being the son and heir of David and of
his kingdom his real descent from David should not be
given.--ED.)
Generation
In the long-lived patriarchal age a generation seems to have
been computed at 100 years, (Genesis 15:16) comp. Genesis15:13
and Eccl 12:40 But subsequently the reckoning was the same
which has been adopted by modern civilized nations, viz. from
thirty to forty years (Job 42:16) (Generation is also used to
signify the men of an age or time, as contemporaries, (Genesis
6:9; Isaiah 53:8) posterity, especially in legal formulae,
(Leviticus 3:17) etc.; fathers, or ancestors. (Psalms 49:19)
Genesis
(origin), the first book of the law or Pentateuch, so called
from its title ia the Septuagint, that is, Creation . Its
author was Moses. The date of writing was probably during the
forty-years wanderings in the wilderness, B.C. 1491-1451. Time
.--The book of Genesis covered 2369 years,--from the creation
of Adam, A.M 1, to the death of Joseph, A.M. 2369, or B.C.
1635. Character and purpose .--The book of Genesis (with the
first chapters of Exodus) describes the steps which led to the
establishment of the theocracy. It is a part of the writer's
plan to tell us what the divine preparation of the world was in
order to show, first, the significance of the call of Abraham,
and next, the true nature of the Jewish theocracy. He begins
with the creation of the world, because the God who created the
world and the God who revealed himself to the fathers is the
same God. The book of Genesis has thus a character at once
special and universal. Construction .--It is clear that Moses
must have derived his knowledge of the events which he records
in Genesis either from immediate divine revelation or from oral
tradition or written documents. The nature of many of the facts
related, and the minuteness of the narration, render it
extremely improbable that immediate revelation was the source
from whence they were drawn. That his knowledge should have
been derived from oral tradition appears morally impossible
when we consider the great number of names, ages, dates and
minute events which are recorded. The conclusion then, seems
fair that he must have obtained his information from written
documents coeval, or nearly so, with the events which they
recorded, and composed by persons intimately acquainted with
the subjects to which they relate. He may have collected these,
with additions from authentic tradition or existing monuments
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, into a single book.
Certain it is that several of the first chapters of Genesis
have the air of being made up of selections from very ancient
documents, written by different authors at different periods.
The variety which is observable in the names and titles of the
Supreme Being is appealed to among the most striking proofs of
this fact. This is obvious in the English translation, but
still more so in the Hebrew original. In Gen 1 to 2:3, which is
really one piece of composition, as the title, v. 4, "These are
the generations," shows, the name of the Most High is uniformly
Elohim, God. In ch. (Genesis 2:4) to ch. 3, which may be
considered the second document, the title is uniformly Yehovah
Elohim, Lord God ; and in the third, including ch. 4, it is
Yehovah, Lord, only; while in ch. 5 it is Elohim, God only,
except in v. 29, where a quotation is made, and Yehovah used.
It is hardly conceivable that all this should be the result of
mere accident. The changes of the name correspond exactly to
the changes in the narratives and the titles of the several
pieces." Now, do all these accurate quotations," says Professor
Stowe, "impair the credit of the Mosaic books, or increase it?
Is Marshall's Life of Washington to be regarded as unworthy of
credit because it contains copious extracts from Washington's
correspondence and literal quotations from important public
documents? Is not its value greatly enhanced by this
circumstance? The objection is altogether futile. In the common
editions of the Bible the Pentateuch occupies about one hundred
and fifty pages, of which perhaps ten may be taken up with
quotations. This surely is no very large proportion for an
historical work extending through so long a period."--Bush. On
the supposition that writing was known to Adam, Gen. 1-4,
containing the first two of these documents, formed the Bible
of Adam's descendants, or the antediluvians. Gen 1 to 11:9,
being the sum of these two and the following three, constitutes
the Bible of the descendants of Noah. The whole of Genesis may
be called the Bible of the posterity of Jacob; and the five
Books of the Law were the first Bible of Israel as a
nation.--Canon Cook.
Gennesaret
(garden of the prince), Land of. It is generally believed that
this term was applied to the fertile crescent-shaped plain on
the western shore of the lake, extending from Khan Minyeh (two
or three miles south of Capernaum (Tel-Hum) on the north to the
steep hill behind Mejdel (Magdala) on the south, and called by
the Arabs el-Ghuweir, "the little Ghor." Mr. Porter gives the
length as three miles, and the greatest breadth as about one
mile. Additional interest is given to the land of Gennesaret,
or el-Ghuweir, by the probability that its scenery suggested
the parable of the sower. It is mentioned only twice in
Scripture - (Matthew 14:34; Mark 6:53) Compare Luke 5:1
Gennesaret, Sea Of
[See [540]Galilee, Sea Of, SEA OF]
Gennesareth
Inaccurately written for [[541]Gennesaret]
Gentiles
(nations). All the people who were not Jews were so called by
them, being aliens from the worship, rites and privileges of
Israel. The word was used contemptuously by them. In the New
Testament it is used as equivalent to Greek. This use of the
word seems to have arisen from the almost universal adaption of
the Greek language.
Genubath
the son of Hadad, an Edomite of the royal family, by an
Egyptian princess, the sister of Tahpenes, the queen of the
Pharaoh who governed Egypt in the latter part of the reign of
David. (1 Kings 11:20) comp. 1Kin 11:16 (B.C. 1015.)
Gera
(a grain), one of the "sons," i.e. descendants, of Benjamin.
(Genesis 46:21) Gera, who is named, (Judges 3:15) as the
ancestor of Ehud, and in (2 Samuel 16:5) as the ancestor of
Shimei who cursed David, is probably also the same person
(though some consider them different persons).
Gerah
[[542]Weights And Measures AND [543]Measures]
Gerar
(a lodging-place), a very ancient city south of Gaza. It occurs
chiefly in Genesis, (Genesis 10:19; 20:1; 26:17) also
incidentally in (2 Chronicles 14:13,14) It must have trenched
on the "south" or "south country" of later Palestine. From a
comparison of (Genesis 21:32) with Genesis26:23,26 Beersheba
would seem to be just on the verge of this territory, and
perhaps to be its limit towards the northeast.
Gerasenes
(Luke 8:26) Revised Version; [See [544]Gadarenes, Girgesenes,
Gerasenes]
Gergesenes
[See [545]Gadarenes, Girgesenes, Gerasenes]
Gerizim
(cutters), a limestone mountain, 2855 feet high (800 feet above
the valley at its foot), in Ephraim, near Shechem (Sychar),
from which the blessings were read to the Israelites on
entering Canaan. [See [546]Ebal, Mount] According to the
traditions of the Samaritans it was here that Abraham
sacrificed Isaac, that Melchizedek met the patriarch, that
Jacob built an altar, and at its base dug a well, the ruins of
which are still seen. Some scholars think there is ground for
the first belief (so Smith); but careful observers of the
locality discredit it and believe Moriah to be the spot. [See
[547]Moriah] Gerizim was the site of the Samaritan temple,
which was built there after the captivity, in rivalry with the
temple at Jerusalem. [See [548]Samaritans] Gerizim is still to
the Samaritans what Jerusalem is to the Jews and Mecca to the
Mohammedans.
Gerizites
(1 Samuel 27:8) [[549]Gerzites]
Gershom
(a stranger or exile).
+ The first-born son of Moses and Zipporah. (Exodus 2:22; 18:3)
(B.C. 1530.)
+ The form under which the name [550]Gershon--the eldest son of
Levi--is given in several passages of Chronicles, viz., (1
Chronicles 6:16,17,20,43,62,71; 15:7)
+ The representative of the priestly family of Phinehas, among
those who accompanied Ezra from Babylon. (Ezra 8:2) (B.C.
536.)
Gershon
(exile). The eldest of the three sons of Levi, born before the
descent of Jacob's family into Egypt. (Genesis 46:11; Exodus
6:16) (B.C. before 1706.) But, though the eldest born, the
families of Gershon were outstripped in fame by their younger
brethren of Kohath, from whom sprang Moses and the priestly
line of Aaron.
Gershonites, The
the family descended from Gershon or Gershom, the son of Levi.
"THE GERSH0NITE," as applied to individuals, occurs in (1
Chronicles 26:21) The sons of Gershon (the Gershonites) had
charge of the fabrics of the tabernacle--the coverings,
curtains, hangings and cords. (Numbers 3:25,26; 4:25,26)
Gerzites
(dwellers in the desert), The, a tribe who with the Geshurites
and the Amalekites occupied the land between the south of
Palestine and Egypt in the time of Saul. (1 Samuel 27:8) In the
name of Mount Gerizim we have the only remaining trace of the
presence of this old tribe of Bedouins in central Palestine.
Gesham
(filthy) (sometimes written GESHAN), one of the sons of Judah,
in the genealogy of Judah and family of Caleb. (1 Chronicles
2:47)
Geshem
and Gash'mu (rain), an Arabian, mentioned in (Nehemiah 2:19)
and Nehe 6:1,2,6 (B.C. 446.) We may conclude that he was an
inhabitant of Arabia Petraea or of the Arabian desert, and
probably the chief of a tribe." Gashum said it" made him a type
of those who create a common report.
Geshur
(a bridge), a little principality of Syria, northeast of
Bashan. (3:14; 2 Samuel 15:8) It ia highly probable that Geshur
was a section of the wild and rugged region now called
el-Lejah, still a refuge for criminals and outlaws.
[[551]Argob]
Geshuri And Geshurites
+ The inhabitants of Geshur. (3:14; Joshua 12:5; 13:11)
+ An ancient tribe which dwelt in the desert between Arabia and
Philistia. (Joshua 13:2; 1 Samuel 27:8)
Gether
(fear), the third in order of the sons of Aram. (Genesis 10:23)
No satisfactory trace of the people sprung from this stock has
been found.
Gethsemane
(an oil-press), a small "farm," (Matthew 26:36; Mark 14:32)
situated across the brook Kedron (John 18:1) probably at the
foot of Mount Olivet, (Luke 22:39) to the northwest and about
one-half or three quarters of a mile English from the walls of
Jerusalem, and 100 yards east of the bridge over the Kedron.
There was a "garden," or rather orchard, attached to it, to
which the olive, fig and pomegranate doubtless invited resort
by their hospitable shade. And we know from the evangelists
(Luke 22:39) And (John 18:2) that our Lord ofttimes resorted
thither with his disciples. But Gethsemane has not come down to
us as a scene of mirth; its inexhaustible associations are the
offspring of a single event--the agony of the Son of God on the
evening preceding his passion. A garden, with eight venerable
olive trees, and a grotto to the north detached from it, and in
closer connection with the church of the sepulchre of the
Virgin, are pointed out as the Gethsemane. Against the
contemporary antiquity of the olive trees it has been urged
that Titus cut down all the trees about Jerusalem. The
probability would seem to be that they were planted by
Christian hands to mark the spot unless, like the sacred olive
of the Acropolis, they may have reproduced themselves.
Geuel
(majesty of God), son of Machi the Gadite spy. (Numbers 13:15)
(B.C 1490.)
Gezer
(a precipice), an ancient city of Canaan, whose king, Hiram or
Elam, coming to the assistance of Lachish, was killed with all
his people by Joshua. (Joshua 10:33; 12:12) It formed one of
the landmarks on the north boundary of Ephraim, between the
lower Beth-horon and the Mediterranean, (Joshua 16:3) the
western limit of the tribe (1 Chronicles 7:28) It was allotted
with its suburbs to the Kohathite Levites, (Joshua 21:21; 1
Chronicles 6:67) but the original inhabitants were not
dispossessed, (Judges 1:29) and even down to the reign of
Solomon the Canaanites were still dwelling there, and paying
tribute to Israel (1 Kings 9:16) It was burned by Pharaoh in
Solomon's time, (1 Kings 9:15-17) and given to Solomon's
Egyptian wife, and rebuilt by him.
Gezrites The
The word which the Jewish critics have substituted in the
margin of the Bible for the ancient reading, "the Gerizite." (1
Samuel 27:8) [[552]Gerizites, THE]
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Giah
(a waterfall), a place named only in (2 Samuel 2:24) to
designate the position of the hill Ammah.
Giants
men of extraordinary size or height.
+ They are first spoken of in (Genesis 6:4) under the name
Nephilim. We are told in (Genesis 6:1-4) that "there were
Nephilim in the earth," and that afterwards the "sons of God"
mingling with the beautiful "daughters of mens produced a
race of violent and insolent Gibborim (Authorized Version
"mighty men").
+ The Rephalim, a name which frequently occurs. The earliest
mention of them is the record of their defeat by Chedorlaomer
and some allied kings at Ashteroth Karnaim. The "valley of
Rephaim," (2 Samuel 5:18; 1 Chronicles 11:15; Isaiah 17:5) a
rich valley southwest of Jerusalem, derived its name from
them. They were probably an aboriginal people of which the
EMIM, [553]Anakim and [554]Zuzim, The [which see] were
branches. [See also [555]Goliath]
Gibbar
(gigantic), the father of some who returned with Zerubbabel
from Babylon. (Ezra 2:20)
Gibbethon
(a hill), a town allotted to the tribe of Dan, (Joshua 19:44)
and afterwards given with its "suburbs" to the Kohathite
Levites. ch. (Joshua 21:23)
Gibea
(a hill). Sheva "the father of Macbenah" and "father of Gibea"
is mentioned with other names, unmistakably those of places and
not persons, among the descendants of Judah. (1 Chronicles
2:49) comp. 1Chr 2:42 This would seem to point out Gibea.
Gibeah
a word employed in the Bible to denote a hill. Like most words
of this kind it gave its name to several towns and places in
Palestine, which would doubtless be generally on or near a
hill. They are--
+ Gibeah, a city in the mountain district of Judah, named with
Maon and the southern Carmel, (Joshua 15:57) and comp. 1Chr
2:49 etc.
+ Gibeah of Benjamin first appears in the tragical story of the
Levite and his concubine. (Judges 19:20) It was then a
"city," with the usual open street or square, (Judges
19:15,17,20) and containing 700 "chosen men," ch. (Judges
20:15) probably the same whose skill as slingers is preserved
in the next verse. In many particulars Gibeah agrees very
closely with Tuleil-el-Ful, a conspicuous eminence just four
mlles north of Jerusalem, to the right of the road. We next
meet with Glbeah of Benjamin during the Philistine wars of
Saul and Jonathan. (1 Samuel 13:15,16) It now bears its full
title. As "Gibeah of Benjamin" this place is referred to in
(2 Samuel 23:29) (comp. 1Chr 11:31), and as "Gibeah" it is
mentioned by Hosea, (Hosea 5:8; 9:9; 10:9) but it does not
again appear in the history. It is, however, almost without
doubt identical with
+ Gibeah of Saul. This is not mentioned as Saul's city till
after his anointing, (1 Samuel 10:26) when is said to have
gone "home" to Gibeah. In the subsequent narrative the town
bears its full name. ch (1 Samuel 11:4)
+ Gibeah in Kirjath-jearim was no doubt a hill in that city,
and the place in which the ark remained from the time of its
return by the Philistines till its removal by David. (2
Samuel 6:3,4) comp. 1Sam 7:1,2
+ Gibeah in the field, named only in (Judges 20:31) as the
place to which one of the "highways" led from Gibeah of
Benjamin. It is probably the same as Geba. The "meadows of
Gaba" (Authorized Version Gibeah), (Judges 20:33) have no
connection with the "field," the Hebrew word being entirely
different.
Gibeath
probably the same as, [556]Gibeah OF [557]Benjamin, The Land
Of. (Joshua 18:28)
Gibeon
(hill city), one of the four, cities of the Hivites, the
inhabitants of which made a league with Joshua, (Joshua 9:3-15)
and thus escaped the fate of Jericho and Ai. Comp. ch. (Joshua
11:19) Gibeon lay within the territory of Benjamin, ch. (Joshua
18:25) and with its "suburbs" was allotted to the priests, ch.
(Joshua 21:17) of whom it became afterwards a principal
station. It retains its ancient name almost intact, el-Jib .
Its distance from Jerusalem by the main road is about 6 1/2
miles; but there is a more direct road reducing it to five
miles.
Gibeonites, The
the people of Gibeon, and perhaps also of the three cities
associated with Gibeon, (Joshua 9:17)--Hivites; and who, on the
discover of the stratagem by which they had obtained the
protection of the Israelites, were condemned to be perpetual
bondmen, hewers of wood and drawers of water for the
congregation and for the house of God and altar of Jehovah.
(Joshua 9:23,27) Saul appears to have broken this covenant, and
in a fit of enthusiasm or patriotism to have killed some and
devised a general massacre of the rest. (2 Samuel 21:1,2,5)
This was expiated many years after by giving up seven men of
Saul's descendants to the Gibeonites, who hung them or
crucified them "before Jehovah"--as a kind of sacrifice-- in
Gibeah, Saul's own town. ch. (2 Samuel 21:4,6,9)
Giblites, The
[[558]Gebal]
Giddalti
(I have trained up), one of the sons of Heman, the king's seer.
(1 Chronicles 25:4)
Giddel
(very great).
+ Children of Giddel were among the Nethinim who returned from
the captivity with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:47; Nehemiah 7:49)
+ Bene-Giddel were also among the "servants of Solomon" who
returned to Judea in the name caravan. (Ezra 2:56; Nehemiah
7:58) (B.C. 536.)
Gideon
(he that cuts down), youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites,
an undistinguished family who lived at Ophrah, a town probably
on the west of Jordan, (Judges 6:15) in the territory of
Manasseh, near Shechem. He was the fifth recorded judge of
Israel, and for many reasons the greatest of them all. When we
first hear of him he was grown up and had sons, (Judges 6:11;
8:20) and from the apostrophe of the angel, ch. (Judges 6:12)
we may conclude that he had already distinguished himself in
war against the roving bands of nomadic robbers who had
oppressed Israel for seven years. When the angel appeared,
Gideon was threshing wheat with a flail in the wine-press, to
conceal it from the predatory tyrants. His call to be a
deliverer, and his destruction of Baal's altar, are related in
Judges 6. After this begins the second act of Gideon's life.
Clothed by the Spirit of God, (Judges 6:34) comp. 1Chr 12:18;
Luke 24:49 He blew a trumpet, and was joined by Zebulun,
Naphtali and even the reluctant Asher. Strengthened by a double
sign from God, he reduced his army of 32,000 by the usual
proclamation. (20:8) comp. 1 Macc. 3:56. By a second test at
"the spring of trembling the further reduced the number of his
followers to 300. (Judges 7:5) seq. The midnight attack upon
the Midianites, their panic, and the rout and slaughter that
followed are told in (Judges 7:1) ... The memory of this
splendid deliverance took deep root in the national traditions.
(1 Samuel 12:11; Psalms 83:11; Isaiah 9:4; 10:26; Hebrews
11:32) After this there was a peace of forty years, and we see
Gideon in peaceful possession of his well-earned honors, and
surrounded by the dignity of a numerous household. (Judges
8:29-31) It is not improbable that, like Saul, he owed a part
of his popularity to his princely appearance. (Judges 8:18) In
this third stage of his life occur alike his most noble and his
most questionable acts viz., the refusal of the monarchy on
theocratic grounds, and the irregular consecration of a
jewelled ephod formed out of the rich spoils of Midian, which
proved to the Israelites a temptation to idolatry although it
was doubtless intended for use in the worship of Jehovah.
Gideoni
(a cutting down), a Benjamite, father of Abidan. (Numbers 1:11;
7:60,65; 10:24)
Gidom
(desolation), a place named only in (Judges 20:45) It would
appear to have been situated between Gibeah (Tuliel-el-Ful) and
the cliff Rimmon.
Giereagle
an unclean bird mentioned in (Leviticus 11:18) and Deuteronomy
14:17 Identical in reality as in name with the racham, of the
Arabs, viz., the Egyptian vulture.
Gift
The giving and receiving of presents has in all ages been not
only a more frequent but also a more formal and significant
proceeding in the East than among ourselves. We cannot adduce a
more remarkable proof of the important part which presents play
in the social life of the East than the fact that the Hebrew
language possesses no less than fifteen different expressions
for the one idea. The mode of presentation was with as much
parade as possible. The refusal of a present was regarded us a
high indignity. No less an insult was it not to bring a present
when the position of the parties demanded it. (1 Samuel 10:27)
Gihon
(a stream).
+ The second river of Paradise. (Genesis 2:13) [[559]Eden]
+ A place near Jerusalem, memorable as the scene of the
anointing and proclamation of Solomon as king. (1 Kings
1:33,38,45)
Gilalai
(weighty), one of the priests' sons at the consecration of the
wall of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 12:36) (B.C. 446.)
Gilboa
(a bubbling spring) a mountain range on the eastern side of the
plain of Esdraelon, rising over the city of Jezreel. Comp. (1
Samuel 28:4) with 1Sam 29:1 It is mentioned in Scripture only
in connection with one event in Israelitish history, the defeat
and death of Saul and Jonathan by the Philistines. (1 Samuel
31:11; 2 Samuel 1:6; 21:12; 1 Chronicles 10:1,8) Of the
identity of Gilboa with the ridge which stretches eastward from
the ruins of Jezreel no doubt can be entertained. The village
is now called Jelbou .
Gilead
(rocky region).
+ A mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on
the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and
on the south by Moab and Ammon. (Genesis 31:21; 3:12-17) It
is sometimes called "Mount Gilead," (Genesis 31:25) sometimes
"the land of Gilead," (Numbers 32:1) and sometimes simply
"Gilead." (Psalms 60:7; Genesis 37:25) The name Gilead, as is
usual in Palestine, describes the physical aspect of the
country: it signifies "a hard rocky region." The mountains of
Gilead, including Pisgah, Abarim and Peor, have a real
elevation of from 2000 to 3000 feet; but their apparent
elevation on the western side is much greater, owing to the
depression of the Jordan valley, which averages about 3000
feet. Their outline is singularly uniform, resembling a
massive wall running along the horizon. Gilead was specially
noted for its balm collected from "balm of Gilead" trees, and
worth twice its weight in silver.
+ Possibly the name of a mountain west of the Jordan, near
Jezreel. (Judges 7:3) We are inclined, however, to think that
the true reading in this place should be [560]Gilboa.
+ Son of Machir, grandson of Manasseh. (Numbers 26:29,30)
+ The father of Jephthah. (Judges 11:1,2)
Gileadites, The
(Numbers 26:29; Judges 10:3; 12:4,5), a branch of the tribe of
Manasseh, descended from Gilead.
Gilgal
(a wheel; rolling).
+ The site of the first camp of the Israelites on the west of
the Jordan, the place at which they passed the first night
after crossing the river, and where the twelve stones were
set up which had been taken from the bed of the stream,
(Joshua 4:19,20) comp. Josh 4:3 Where also they kept the
first passover in the land of Canaan ch. (Joshua 5:10) It was
"in the east border of Jericho," apparently on a hillock or
rising ground, (Joshua 5:3) comp. Josh 5:9 In the
Arboth-Jericho (Authorized Version "the plains"), that is,
the hot depressed district of the Ghor which lay between the
town and the Jordan. ch. (Joshua 5:10) Here Samuel was judge,
and Saul was made king. We again have a glimpse of it, some
sixty years later, in the history of David's return to
Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 19:40) A Gilgal is spoken of in (Joshua
15:7) in describing the north border of Judah. In (Joshua
18:17) it is given as Geliloth. Gilgal near Jericho is
doubtless intended.
+ In (2 Kings 2:1,2; 4:38) is named a Gilgal visited by Elijah
and Elisha. This could not be the Gilgal of the low plain of
the Jordan, for the prophets are said to have gone down to
Bethel, which is 3000 feet above the plain. It haa been
identified with Jiljilia, about four miles from Bethel and
Shiloh respectively.
+ The "king of the nations of Gilgal" or rather perhaps the
"king of Goim at Gilgal," is mentioned in the catalogue of
the chiefs overthrown bv Joshua. (Joshua 12:23) Possibly the
site of this place is marked by the modern village Jiljulieh,
about four miles south of Antipatris, which lies 16 miles
northeast of Joppa. But another Gilgal, under the
slightly-different form of Kilkilieh, lies about two miles
east of Antipatris.
Giloh
(exile), a town in the mountainous part of Judah, named in the
first group with Debir and Eshtemoh, (Joshua 16:51) it was the
native place of the famous Ahithophel. (2 Samuel 15:12)
Gilonite, The
native of Giloh. (2 Samuel 15:12; 23:34)
Gimzo
(fertile in sycamores), a town which with its dependent
villages was taken possession of by the Philistines in the
reign of Ahaz. (2 Chronicles 28:18) The name (Jimzu) still
remains attached to a large village between two and three miles
southwest of Lydda, south of the road between Jerusalem and
Jaffa.
Gin
a trap for birds or beasts; it consisted of a net, (Isaiah
8:14) and a stick to act as a spring. (Amos 3:5)
Ginath
(protection), father of Tibni. (1 Kings 16:21,22)
Ginnetho
(gardner), one of the chief of the priests and Levites who
returned to Judea with Zerubbabel. (Nehemiah 12:4) He is
doubtless the same person as
Ginnethon
(gardener), a priest who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah
(Nehemiah 10:6) (B.C. 410.)
Girdle
an essential article of dress in the East, and worn by both men
and women. The common girdle was made of leather, (2 Kings 1:8;
Matthew 3:4) like that worn by the Bedouins of the present day.
A finer girdle was made of linen, (Jeremiah 13:1; Ezekiel
16:10) embroidered with silk, and sometimes with gold and
silver thread, (Daniel 10:5; Revelation 1:13; 15:6) and
frequently studded with gold and precious stones or pearls. The
military girdle was worn about the waist; the sword or dagger
was suspended from it. (Judges 3:16; 2 Samuel 20:8; Psalms
45:3) Hence girding up the loins denotes preparation for battle
or for active exertion. Girdles were used as pockets, as they
still are among the Arabs, and as purses, one end of the girdle
being folded back for the purpose. (Matthew 10:9; Mark 6:8)
Girgashites
(dwelling on a clayey soil), The, one of the nations who were
in possession of Canaan east of the Sea of Galilee before the
entrance thither of the children of Israel. (Genesis 10:16;
15:21; 7:1)
Girgasite, The
(Genesis 10:16) or NEXT ENTRY ...
Gispa
(caress), one of the overseers of the Nethinim, in "the Ophel,"
after the return from captivity. (Nehemiah 11:21)
Gittahhepher
(Joshua 19:13) [GATH-HEPHER]
Gittaim
[[561]Gittites]
Gittites
(belonging to Gath), the 600 men who followed David from Gath,
under Ittai the Gittite, (2 Samuel 15:18,19) and who probably
acted as a kind of body-guard. Obed-edom "the Gittite" may have
been so named from the town of Gittaim in Benjamin, (2 Samuel
4:3; Nehemiah 11:33) or from Gath-rimmon.
Gittith
a musical instrument, by some supposed to have been used by the
people of Gath, and by others to have been employed at the
festivities of the vintage. Psal 8,81,84.
Gizonites, The
(inhabitant of Gizoh). "The sons of Hashem the Gizonite "are
named amongst the warriors of David's guard. (1 Chronicles
11:34) Kennicott concludes that the name should be Gouni.
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Glass
The Hebrew word occurs only in (Job 28:17) where in the
Authorized Version it is rendered "crystal." In spite of the
absence of specific allusion to glass in the sacred writings,
the Hebrews must have been aware of the invention from
paintings representing the process of glass-blowing, which have
been discovered at Beni-hassan, and in tombs at other places,
we know that the invention vas known at least 3500 years ago.
Fragments too of wine-vases as old as the exodus have been
discovered in Egypt. The art was also known to the ancient
Assyrians. In the New Testament glass is alluded to as an
emblem of brightness. (Revelation 4:6; 15:2; 21:18)
Gleaning
The gleaning of fruit trees, as well as of corn-fields, was
reserved for the poor. [[562]Corner]
Glede
the old name for the common kite (Milvus ater), occurs only in
(14:13) among the unclean birds of prey.
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Gnat
a species of mosquito mentioned only in the proverbial
expression used by our Saviour in (Matthew 23:21)
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Goad
(Judges 3:31; 1 Samuel 13:21) The Hebrew word in the latter
passage probably means the point of the plough-share . The
former word does probably refer to the goad, the long handle of
which might be used as a formidable weapon. The instrument, as
still used in countries of southern Europe and western Asia,
consists of a rod about eight feet long, brought to a sharp
point and sometimes cased with iron at the head.
Goat
There appear to be two or three varieties of the common goat,
Hircus agagrus, at present bred in Palestine and Syria, but
whether they are identical with those which were reared by the
ancient Hebrews it is not possible to say. The most marked
varieties are the Syrian goat(Capra mammorica, Linn.) and the
Angora goat (Capra angorensis, Linn.), with fine long hair. As
to the "wild goats," (1 Samuel 24:2; Job 39:1; Psalms 104:18)
it is not at all improbable that some species of ibex is
denoted.
Goat, Scape
[[563]Atonement, The Day Of, [564]Day OF]
Goath
(lowing), a place apparently in the neighborhood of Jerusalem,
and named, in connection with the hill Gareb, only in (Jeremiah
31:39)
Gob
(cistern), a place mentioned only in (2 Samuel 21:18,19) as the
scene of two encounters between David's warriors and the
Philistines. In the parallel account in (1 Chronicles 20:4) the
name is given as [565]Gezer.
Goblet
a circular vessel for wine or other liquid.
God
(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are
used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated
God in our version, and [566]Jehovah, translated Lord . Elohim
is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in
the short form EL (a word signifying strength, as in
EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially
known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The
etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the
primary idea is that of strength, power of effect, and that it
properly describes God in that character in which he is
exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer
and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim
has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it
referred to the trinity of persons in the Godhead hardly finds
now a supporter among scholars. It is either what grammarians
call the plural of majesty, or it denotes the fullness of
divine strength, the sum of the powers displayed by God.
Jehovah denotes specifically the one true God, whose people the
Jews were, and who made them the guardians of his truth. The
name is never applied to a false god, nor to any other being
except one, the ANGEL-JEHOVAH who is thereby marked as one with
God, and who appears again in the New Covenant as "God
manifested in the flesh." Thus much is clear; but all else is
beset with difficulties. At a time too early to be traced, the
Jews abstained from pronouncing the name, for fear of its
irreverent use. The custom is said to have been founded on a
strained interpretation of (Leviticus 24:16) and the phrase
there used, "THE NAME" (Shema), is substituted by the rabbis
for the unutterable word. In reading the Scriptures they
substituted for it the word ADONAI (Lord), from the translation
of which by Kurios in the LXX., followed by the Vulgate, which
uses Dominus, we have the [567]Lord of our version. The
substitution of the word Lord is most unhappy, for it in no way
represents the meaning of the sacred name. The key to the
meaning of the name is unquestionably given in God's revelation
of himself to Moses by the phrase "I AM THAT I AM," (Exodus
3:14; 6:3) We must connect the name Jehovah with the Hebrew
substantive verb to be, with the inference that it expresses
the essential, eternal, unchangeable being of Jehovah. But
more, it is not the expression only, or chiefly, of an absolute
truth: it is a practical revelation of God, in his essential,
unchangeable relation to this chosen people, the basis of his
covenant.
Gog
(mountain).
+ A Reubenite, (1 Chronicles 5:4) son of Shemaiah.
Golan
(circle), a city of Bashan, (4:43) allotted out of the half
tribe of Manasseh to the Levites, (Joshua 21:27) and one of the
three cities of refuge east of the Jordan. ch (Joshua 20:8) Its
very site is now unknown. It gave its name to the province of
Gaulanitis. It lay east of Galilee and north of Gadaritis
[[568]Gadara], and corresponds to the modern province of Jaulan
.
Gold
Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It
was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22)
Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively
late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as
being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis
43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1
Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum
2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the
enormous quantities consumed by the wealthy in furniture, etc.
(1 Kings 6:22) 10 passim ; (Esther 1:6; Song of Solomon 3:9,10;
Jeremiah 10:9) The chief countries mentioned as producing gold
are Arabia, Sheba and Ophir. (1 Kings 9:28; 10:1; Job 28:16)
Golgotha
(skull), the Hebrew name of the spot at which our Lord was
crucified. (Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17) By these
three evangelists it is interpreted to mean the "place of a
skull." Two explanations of the name are given: (1) that it was
a spot where executions ordinarily took place, and therefore
abounded in skulls; or(2) it may come from the look or form of
the spot itself, bald, round and skull-like, and therefore a
mound or hillock, in accordance with the common phrase--for
which there is no direct authority-- "Mount Calvary." Whichever
of these is the correct explanation, Golgotha seems to have
been a known spot.
Goliath
(splendor), a famous giant of Gath, who "morning and evening
for forty days" defied the armies of Israel. (1 Samuel 17:1)
... (B.C. 1063.) He was possibly descended from the old Rephaim
[[569]Giants], of whom a scattered remnant took refuge with the
Philistines after their dispersion by the Ammonites. (2:20,21;
2 Samuel 21:22) His height was "six cubits and a span," which
taking the cubit at 21 inches, would make him 10 1/2 feet high.
The scene of his combat with David, by whom he was slain, was
the "valley of the terebinth," between Shochoh and Arekah,
probably among the western passes of Benjamin. In (2 Samuel
21:19) we find that another Goliath of Gath was slain by
Elhanan, also a Bethlehemite.
Gomer
(perfect).
+ The eldest son of Japheth, (Genesis 10:2,3) the progenitor of
the early Cimmerians, of the later Cimbri and the other
branches of the Celtic family, and of the modern Gael and
Cymri.
+ The wife of Hosea. (Hosea 1:3)
Gomorrah
(submersion), one of the five "cities of the plain" or "vale of
Siddim" that under the irrespective kings joined battle there
with Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:2-8) and his allies by whom they
were discomfited till Abraham came to the rescue. Four out of
the five were afterwards destroyed by the Lord with fire from
heaven. (Genesis 19:23-29) One of them only, Zoar (or Bela;
which was its original name), was spared at the request of Lot,
in order that he might take refuge there. The geographical
position of these cities is discussed under [570]Sodom.
Gopher
(pitch) wood. Only once mentioned-- (Genesis 6:14) Two
principal conjectures have been proposed--
+ That the "trees of gopher" are any trees of the resinous
kind, such as pine, fir, etc.
+ That Gopher is cypress.
Goshen
+ The name of a part of Egypt where the Israelites dwelt during
the whole period of their sojourn in that country. It was
probably situated on the eastern border of the Nile,
extending from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. It contained
the treasure-cities of Rameses and Pittim. It was a pasture
land, especially suited to a shepherd people, and sufficient
for the Israelites, who there prospered, and were separate
from the main body of the Egyptians.
+ A district in southern Palestine conquered by Joshua. (Joshua
10:41) It lay between Gaza and Gibeon.
+ A town in the mountains of Judah, probably in a part of the
country of Goshen.
Gospels
The name Gospel (from god and spell, Ang. Sax. good message or
news, which is a translation of the Greek euaggelion) is
applied to the four inspired histories of the life and teaching
of Christ contained in the New Testament, of which separate
accounts are given in their place. They were all composed
during the latter half of the first century: those of St.
Matthew and St. Mark some years before the destruction of
Jerusalem; that of St. Luke probably about A.D. 64; and that of
St. John towards the close of the century. Before the end of
the second century, there is abundant evidence that the four
Gospels, as one collection, were generally used and accepted.
As a matter of literary history, nothing can be better
established than the genuineness of the Gospels. On comparing
these four books one with another, a peculiar difficulty claims
attention, which has had much to do with the controversy as to
their genuineness. In the fourth Gospel the narrative coincided
with that of the other three in a few passages only. The
received explanation is the only satisfactory one namely, that
John, writing last, at the close of the first century had seen
the other Gospels, and purposely abstained from writing anew
what they had sufficiently recorded. In the other three Gospels
there is a great amount of agreement. If we suppose the history
that they contain to be divided into 89 sections, in 42 of
these all the three narratives coincide, 12 more are given by
Matthew and Mark only, 5 by Mark and Luke only, and 14 by
Matthew and Luke. To these must be added 5 peculiar to Matthew,
2 to Mark and 9 to Luke, and the enumeration is complete. But
this applies only to general coincidence as to the facts
narrated: the amount of verbal coincidence, that is, the
passages either verbally the same or coinciding in the use of
many of the same words, is much smaller. It has been
ascertained by Stroud that "if the total contents of the
several Gospels be represented by 100, the following table is
obtained: Matthew has 42 peculiarities and 58 coincidences.
Mark has 7 peculiarities and 93 coincidences. Luke has 59
peculiarities and 41 coincidences. John has 92 peculiarities
and 8 coincidences. Why four Gospels.--
+ To bring four separate independent witnesses to the truth.
+ It is to give the Lord's life from every point of view, four
living portraits of one person. There were four Gospels
because Jesus was to be commended to four races or classes of
men, or to four phases of human thought,--the Jewish, Roman,
Greek and Christian. Had not these exhausted the classes to
be reached, there would doubtless have been more Gospels. In
all ages, the Jewish, Roman and Greek natures reappear among
men, and, in fact, make up the world of natural men, while
the Christian nature and wants likewise remain essentially
the same. The FIRST GOSPEL was prepared by Matthew for the
Jew. He gives us the Gospel of Jesus, the Messiah of the
Jews, the Messianic royalty of Jesus. He places the life and
character of Jesus, as lived on earth, alongside the life and
character of the Messiah, as sketched in the prophets,
showing Christianity as the fulfillment of Judaism. Mark
wrote the SECOND GOSPEL. It was substantially the preaching
of Peter to the Romans. The Gospel for him must represent the
character and career of Jesus from the Roman point of view,
as answering to the idea of divine power, work, law, conquest
and universal sway; must retain its old significance and
ever-potent inspiration at the battle-call of the almighty
Conqueror. Luke wrote the THIRD GOSPEL in Greece for the
Greek. It has its basis in the gospel which Paul and Luke, by
long preaching to the Greeks, had already thrown into the
form best suited to commend to their acceptance Jesus as the
perfect divine man. It is the gospel of the future, of
progressive Christianity, of reason and culture seeking the
perfection of manhood. John, "the beloved disciple," wrote
the FOURTH GOSPEL for the Christian, to cherish and train
those who have entered the new kingdom of Christ, into the
highest spiritual life.--Condensed from, Prof. Gregory.
Gourd
+ Kikayan only in (Jonah 4:6-10) The plant which is intended by
this word, and which afforded shade to the prophet Jonah
before Nineveh, is the Ricinus commnunis, or castor-oil
plant, which, a native of Asia, is now naturalized in
America, Africa and the south of Europe. This plant varies
considerably n size, being in India a tree, but in England
seldom attaining a greater height than three or four feet.
The leaves are large and palmate, with serrated lobes, and
would form un excellent shelter for the sun-stroken prophet.
The seeds contain the oil so well known under the name of
"castor oil," which has for ages been in high repute as a
medicine. It is now thought by many that the plant meant is a
vine of the cucumber family, a gemline gourd, which is much
used for shade in the East.
+ The wild gourd of (2 Kings 4:39) which one of "the sons of
the prophets" gathered ignorantly, supposing them to be good
for food, is a poisonous gourd, supposed to be the colocynth,
which bears a fruit of the color and size of an orange, with
a hard, woody shell. As several varieties of the same family,
such as melons, pumpkins, etc., are favorite articles of
refreshing food amongst the Orientals, we can easily
understand the cause of the mistake.
Governor
In the Authorized Version this one English word is the
representative of no less than ten Hebrew and four Greek words.
+ The chief of a tribe or family.
+ A ruler in his capacity of lawgiver and dispenser of justice.
+ A ruler consider especially as having power over the property
and persons of his subjects. (Genesis 24:2; Joshua 12:2;
Psalms 100:20) The "governors of the people," in (2
Chronicles 23:20) appear to have been the king's body-guard;
cf. (2 Kings 11:19)
+ A prominent personage, whatever his capacity. It is applied
to a king as the military and civil chief of his people, (2
Samuel 5:2; 6:21; 1 Chronicles 29:22) to the general of an
army, (2 Chronicles 32:21) and to the head of a tribe. (2
Chronicles 19:11) It denotes an officer of high rank in the
palace, the lord high chamberlain. (2 Chronicles 28:7) It is
applied in (1 Kings 10:15) to the petty chieftains who were
tributary to Solomon, (2 Chronicles 9:14) to the military
commander of the Syrians, (1 Kings 20:24) the Assyrians, (2
Kings 18:24; 23:8) the Chaldeans, (Jeremiah 51:23) and the
Medes. (Jeremiah 51:38) Under the Persian viceroys, during
the Babylonian captivity, the land of the Hebrews appears to
have been portioned out among "governors" (pachoth) inferior
in rank to the satraps, (Ezra 8:30) like the other provinces
which were under the dominion of the Persian king. (Nehemiah
2:7,9) It is impossible to determine the precise limits of
their authority or the functions which they had to perform.
It appears from (Ezra 6:8) that these governors were
intrusted with the collection of the king's taxes; and from
(Nehemiah 5:18; 12:26) that they were supported by a
contribution levied upon the people, which was technically
termed "the bread of the governor" comp. (Ezra 4:14) They
were probably assisted in discharging their official duties
by A council. (Ezra 4:7; 6:6) The "governor" beyond the river
had a judgment-seat beyond Jerusalem, from which probably he
administered justice when making a progress through his
province. (Nehemiah 3:7) At the time of Christ Judea was a
Roman province, governed by a procurator (governor) appointed
by Rome.
Gozan
seems in the Authorized Version of (1 Chronicles 5:26) to be
the name of a river, but in (2 Kings 17:6) and 2Kin 18:11 It is
evidently applied not to a river but a country. Gozan was the
tract to which the Israelites were carried away captive by Pul,
Tiglathpileser and Shalmaneser, or possibly Sargon. It is
probably identical with the Gauzanitis of Ptolemy, and I may be
regarded as represented by the Mygdonia of other writers. It
was the tract watered by the Habor, the modern Khabour, the
great Mesopotamian affluent of the Euphrates.
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Grape
[[571]Vine]
Grasshopper
[[572]Locust]
Grave
[[573]Burial, Sepulchres]
Greaves
a piece of defensive armor which reached from the foot to the
knee and thus protected the shin of the wearer. It was made of
leather or brass.
Grecian
The term Grecian, or Hellenist, denotes a Jew by birth or
religion who spoke Greek. It is used chiefly of foreign Jews
and proselytes in contrast with the Hebrews speaking the
vernacular Hebrew or Aramaean.--Bible Dictionary of Tract
Society .
Greece, Greeks, Grecians
The histories of Greece and Palestine are little connected with
each other. In (Genesis 10:2-5) Moses mentions the descendants
of Javan as peopling the isles of the Gentiles; and when the
Hebrews came into contact with the Ionians of Asia Minor, and
recognized them as the long-lost islanders of the western
migration, it was natural that they should mark the similarity
of sound between Javan and Iones. Accordingly the Old Testament
word which is Grecia, in Authorized Versions Greece, Greeks,
etc., is in Javan (Daniel 8:21; Joel 3:6) the Hebrew, however,
is sometimes regained. (Isaiah 66:19; Ezekiel 27:13) The Greeks
and Hebrews met for the first time in the slave-market. The
medium of communication seems to have been the Tyrian
slave-merchants. About B.C. 800 Joel speaks of the Tyrians as,
selling the children of Judah tot he Grecians, (Joel 3:6) and
in Ezek 27:13 The Greeks are mentioned as bartering their
brazen vessels for slaves. Prophetical notice of Greece occurs
in (Daniel 8:21) etc., where the history of Alexander and his
successors is rapidly sketched. Zechariah, (Zechariah 9:13)
foretells the triumphs of the Maccabees against the
Greco-Syrian empire, while Isaiah looks forward to the
conversion of the Greeks, amongst other Gentiles, through the
instrumentality of Jewish missionaries. (Isaiah 66:19) The name
of the country, Greece occurs once in the New Testament, (Acts
20:2) as opposed to Macedonia. [[574]Gentiles]
Greyhound
the translation in the text of the Authorized Version,
(Proverbs 30:31) of the Hebrew word zarzir mothnayin ; i.e.
"one girt about the loins." Various are the opinions as to what
animal "comely in going" is here intended Some think "a
leopard," others "an eagle," or "a man girt with armor," or "a
zebra," or "a war-horse girt with trappings." But perhaps the
word means "a wrestler," when girt about the loins for a
contest.
Grinding
[[575]Mill]
Grove
+ A word used in the Authorized Version, with two exceptions,
to translate the mysterious Hebrew term Asherah, which is not
a grove, but probably an idol or image of some kind.
[[576]Asherah] It is also probable that there was a
connection between this symbol or image, whatever it was, and
the sacred symbolic tree, the representation of which occurs
so frequently on Assyrian sculptures.
+ The two exceptions noticed above are (Genesis 21:33) and 1Sam
22:6 (margin). In the religions of the ancient heathen world
groves play a prominent part. In the old times altars only
were erected to the gods. It was thought wrong to shut up the
gods within walls, and hence trees were the first temples;
and from the earliest times groves are mentioned in
connection with religious worship. (Genesis 12:6,7; 11:30)
Authorized Version "plain." the groves were generally found
connected with temples, and often had the right of affording
an asylum.
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Gudgodah
(10:7) [See [577]Horhagidgad]
Guest
[[578]Hospitality]
Guni
(painted).
+ A son of Naphtali, (Genesis 46:24; 1 Chronicles 7:13) the
founder of the family of the Gunites. (Numbers 26:48)
+ A descendant of Gad. (1 Chronicles 5:15)
Gunites, The
the descendants of Guni, son of Naphtali. (Numbers 26:48)
Gur
(abode), The going up to, an ascent or rising ground, at which
Ahaziah received his death-blow while flying from jehu after
the slaughter of Joram. (2 Kings 9:27)
Gurbaal
(abode of Baal), a place or district in which dwelt Arabians,
as recorded in (2 Chronicles 26:7) It appears from the context
to have been in the country lying between Palestine and the
Arabian peninsula; but this, although probable, cannot be
proved.