Lexical Summary
Giboni: Gibeonite
Original Word:גִּבְעֹנִי
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:Gib`oniy
Pronunciation:ghib-o-nee'
Phonetic Spelling:(ghib-o-nee')
KJV: Gibeonite
NASB:Gibeonites, Gibeonite
Word Origin:[patrial fromH1391 (גִּבעוֹן - Gibeon)]
1. a Gibonite, or inhabitant of Gibon
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Gibeonite
Patrial fromGib'own; a Gibonite, or inhabitant of Gibon -- Gibeonite.
see HEBREWGib'own
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
GibonDefinitioninhab. of Gibeon
NASB TranslationGibeonite (2), Gibeonites (6).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
— always with article
Nehemiah 3:7,
1 Chronicles 12:4,
2 Samuel 21:1,2(twice in verse);
2 Samuel 21:3,4,9.
Topical Lexicon
Name and IdentityGibeonites were inhabitants of the Hivite city-state of Gibeon and its satellite towns (Joshua 9:17). Strong’s Hebrew 1393 designates an individual or group belonging to that people. Although foreigners by birth, they lived within Israel’s borders from the days of Joshua onward.
Historical Background
Soon after Israel’s entrance into Canaan the Gibeonites, fearing annihilation, secured a treaty with Joshua by means of deception (Joshua 9:3-15). Bound by oath, Israel spared them, assigning them service at “the altar of the LORD” as woodcutters and water carriers (Joshua 9:27). That covenant shaped every later biblical mention. More than three centuries later Saul “sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah” (2 Samuel 21:2). Saul’s violation of the oath brought divine judgment in David’s reign and revealed the continuing force of covenants made in the name of the LORD.
Biblical Occurrences
2 Samuel 21:1-9 records six of the eight occurrences. A three-year famine drives David to inquire of Yahweh; the answer: “It is on account of Saul and his bloodstained house, because he put the Gibeonites to death” (2 Samuel 21:1). David summons the Gibeonites, honors their request for justice, and after the execution of seven male descendants of Saul “God answered the prayer for the land” (2 Samuel 21:14).
1 Chronicles 12:4 notes “Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty warrior among the Thirty” who defected to David at Ziklag, illustrating their growing integration into Israel’s military and worshiping community.
Nehemiah 3:7 places Melatiah the Gibeonite among those repairing Jerusalem’s walls after the exile, demonstrating their faithfulness to the covenant community even centuries later.
Covenant and Servitude
The servile roles assigned inJoshua 9 were not punitive alone but priestly in proximity. By supplying wood and water they enabled continual sacrifice, placing a formerly pagan people in daily contact with the sanctuary. Their history shows that humble service, when rendered by faith, draws outsiders near to redemption (compareDeuteronomy 29:11).
David’s Atonement and the Covenant’s Sanctity
2 Samuel 21 is a solemn reminder that God defends the oppressed and upholds sworn oaths. National sin produced national calamity; national repentance restored blessing. The narrative also foreshadows the necessity of atoning blood to remove guilt, culminating in the righteous blood of Jesus Christ “who Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).
Participation in David’s Mighty Men
The presence of a Gibeonite among the elite warriors of David underscores God’s ability to transform former outsiders into frontline servants. Their loyalty in wartime, long after the deception ofJoshua 9, displays grace canceling former enmity.
Post-Exilic Faithfulness
The returnees in Nehemiah’s day accepted Gibeonites as coworkers in rebuilding Jerusalem. Their inclusion affirms the covenant’s permanence: once bound to Israel, always bound. It also anticipates the ingathering of Gentiles into the people of God (Isaiah 56:6-7).
Theological and Ministry Implications
1. God’s covenants are irrevocable; breaking them invites discipline (Psalm 15:4).
2. Humble, often unseen service (fetching wood and water) remains indispensable to public worship.
3. Outsiders who submit to Israel’s God become participants in His redemptive plan (Ruth 2:12).
4. National leaders must seek divine counsel in crises; social injustice may hinder divine blessing.
5. Atonement demands a righteous, substitutionary death, typified in2 Samuel 21 and fulfilled in Christ.
Key Lessons and Applications
• Honor commitments, personal and corporate, even when costly.
• Value every role in ministry; proximity to holy things shapes hearts.
• Pursue reconciliation where historical wrongs linger; justice releases blessing.
• Celebrate God’s mercy that grafts Gentiles into covenant promises (Romans 11:17-20).
Forms and Transliterations
הַגִּבְעֹנִ֔ים הַגִּבְעֹנִ֗י הַגִּבְעֹנִ֗ים הַגִּבְעֹנִֽים׃ הַגִּבְעוֹנִ֛י הגבעוני הגבעני הגבענים הגבענים׃ וְהַגִּבְעֹנִ֞ים והגבענים לַגִּבְעֹנִ֖ים לגבענים hag·giḇ·‘ō·nî hag·giḇ·‘ō·nîm hag·giḇ·‘ō·w·nî haggiḇ‘ōnî haggiḇ‘ōnîm haggiḇ‘ōwnî haggivoNi haggivoNim lag·giḇ·‘ō·nîm laggiḇ‘ōnîm laggivoNim vehaggivoNim wə·hag·giḇ·‘ō·nîm wəhaggiḇ‘ōnîm
Links
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