Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Gath is one of the five principal cities of the Philistines, frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. It holds significant historical and theological importance due to its association with notable biblical figures and events. Gath is often identified with Tell es-Safi, located in modern-day Israel.
Biblical References and Historical Context:Gath is first mentioned in the context of the Philistine pentapolis, which included Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gaza (
Joshua 13:3). It was a major Philistine city, known for its formidable warriors and strategic location.
Goliath of Gath:One of the most famous inhabitants of Gath was Goliath, the giant warrior defeated by David. The account of David and Goliath is found in
1 Samuel 17. Goliath's defeat marked a significant victory for Israel and demonstrated God's power working through David, a young shepherd at the time. The text states, "Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied'" (
1 Samuel 17:45).
David's Connection to Gath:David's relationship with Gath is complex. After fleeing from King Saul, David sought refuge in Gath, where he feigned madness to escape harm (
1 Samuel 21:10-15). Later, he returned to Gath and found favor with Achish, the king of Gath, who granted him the town of Ziklag (
1 Samuel 27:1-6). This period in David's life illustrates his strategic acumen and God's providential care.
Gath in the Time of the Kings:Gath continued to play a role in Israel's history during the reigns of the kings. It was captured by King David, as recorded in
2 Samuel 8:1: "After this, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines" . The city was later fortified by King Rehoboam of Judah (
2 Chronicles 11:8).
Prophetic References:The prophets also mention Gath, often in the context of judgment against the Philistines.
Amos 6:2 references Gath as a city of significance, urging Israel to consider its fate as a warning.
Micah 1:10 uses a play on words with Gath's name, which sounds like the Hebrew word for "tell," to convey a message of lamentation.
Archaeological Insights:Modern archaeological excavations at Tell es-Safi have uncovered significant findings, including fortifications, pottery, and inscriptions, which provide insights into the city's history and its interactions with Israel. These discoveries corroborate the biblical narrative and enhance our understanding of the ancient Near Eastern context.
Theological Significance:Gath's role in the biblical narrative underscores themes of divine sovereignty, judgment, and redemption. The city's interactions with Israel highlight the tension between God's chosen people and their adversaries, while also demonstrating God's ability to use unlikely circumstances and individuals to fulfill His purposes.
Conclusion:While Gath's ultimate fate is not detailed in the Bible, its legacy endures through its association with pivotal biblical events and figures. The city's history serves as a testament to the enduring conflict between Israel and the Philistines and the overarching narrative of God's redemptive plan for His people.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Gatha wine-press
Smith's Bible Dictionary
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 calledTell-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)
ATS Bible Dictionary
GathA city of the Philistines, and one of their five principalities,1 Samuel 5:8 6:17. It was a notable city, in the border of the Philistines nearest to Jerusalem; but its site has long been lost. It was the home of Goliath,1 Samuel 17:4. CompareJoshua 11:222 Samuel 21:19-22. Here David sought a refuge form Saul,1 Samuel 21:10 27:2-7. It came under his power in the beginning of his reign over all Israel,1 Chronicles 18:1, and continued subject to his successors till the declension of the kingdom of Judah. Rehoboam rebuilt or fortified it,2 Chronicles 11:8. It was afterwards recovered by the Philistines, but Uzziah reconquered it,2 Chronicles 26:6. Its inhabitants were called Gittites,Joshua 13:3; and David had tow of them in his service, who faithfully adhered to him during the rebellion of Absalom,2 Samuel 15:18-22.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A wine-vat, one of the five royal cities of the Philistines (
Joshua 13:3) on which the ark brought calamity (
1 Samuel 5:8, 9;
6:17). It was famous also as being the birthplace or residence of Goliath (
1 Samuel 17:4). David fled from Saul to Achish, king of Gath (
1 Samuel 21:10;
27:2-4;
Psalm 56), and his connection with it will account for the words in
2 Samuel 1:20. It was afterwards conquered by David (
2 Samuel 8:1). It occupied a strong position on the borders of Judah and Philistia (
1 Samuel 21:10;
1 Chronicles 18:1). Its site has been identified with the hill called Tell esSafieh, the Alba Specula of the Middle Ages, which rises 695 feet above the plain on its east edge. It is noticed on monuments about B.C. 1500. (see
METHEGAMMAH.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GATHgath (gath; Septuagint Geth, "winepress"):
One of the five chief cities of the Philistines (Joshua 13:31 Samuel 6:17). It was a walled town (2 Chronicles 26:6) and was not taken by Joshua, and, although many conflicts took place between the Israelites and its people, it does not seem to have been captured until the time of David (1 Chronicles 18:1). It was rendered famous as the abode of the giant Goliath whom David slew (1 Samuel 17:4), and other giants of the same race (2 Samuel 21:18-22). It was to Gath that the Ashdodites conveyed the ark when smitten with the plague, and Gath was also smitten (1 Samuel 5:8, 9).
It was Gath where David took refuge twice when persecuted by Saul (21:10; 27:2-4). It seems to have been destroyed after being taken by David, for we find Rehoboam restoring it (2 Chronicles 11:8). It was after this reoccupied by the Philistines, for we read that Uzziah took it and razed its walls (2 Chronicles 26:6), but it must have been restored again, for we find Hazael of Damascus capturing it (2 Kings 12:17). It seems to have been destroyed before the time of Amos (Amos 6:2), and is not further mentioned in the Old Testament or Maccabees, except inMicah 1:10, where it is referred to in the proverb, "Tell it not in Gath" (compare2 Samuel 1:20). Since its destruction occurred, probably, in the middle of the 8th century B.C., it is easy to understand why the site has been lost so that it can be fixed only conjecturally. Several sites have been suggested by different explorers and writers, such as: Tell es Safi, Beit Jibrin, Khurbet Jeladiyeh, Khurbet Abu Geith, Jennata and Yebna (see PEFS, 1871, 91; 1875, 42, 144, 194; 1880, 170-71, 211-23; 1886, 200-202).
Tradition in the early centuries A.D. fixed it at 5 Roman miles North of Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin, toward Lydda, which would indicate Tell es Safi as the site, but the Crusaders thought it was at Jamnia (Yebna), where they erected the castle of Ibelin, but the consensus of opinion in modern times fixes upon Tell es Safi as the site, as is to be gathered from the references cited in PEFS above. The Biblical notices of Gath would indicate a place in the Philistine plain or the Shephelah, which was fortified, presumably in a strong position on the border of the Philistine country toward the territory of Judah or Dan. Tell es Safi fits into these conditions fairly well, but without other proof this is not decisive. It is described in SWP, II, 240, as a position of strength on a narrow ridge, with precipitous cliffs on the North and West, connected with the hills by a narrow neck, so that it is thrust out like a bastion, a position easily fortified.
In 1144 Fulke of Anjou erected here a castle called Blanchegarde (Alba Specula). The writer on "Gath and Its Worthies" in PEFS, 1886, 200-204, connects the name Safi with that of the giant Saph (2 Samuel 21:18), regarding him as a native of Gath, but the most direct evidence from early tradition connecting Tell es Safi with Gath is found in a manuscript said to be in the library of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which informs us that Catherocastrum was situated on a mountain called Telesaphion or Telesaphy, which is clearly Tell es Safi. Catherocastrum must be the Latin for "camp of Gath" (PEFS, 1906, 305).
H. Porter
Greek
1068. Gethsemani -- Gethsemane, an olive orchard on the Mt. of...... Word Origin of Hebrew origin
gath and shemen Definition Gethsemane, an olive orchard
on the Mt. of Olives NASB Word Usage Gethsemane (2).
... see HEBREW
gath.
...Strong's Hebrew
4182. MoreshethGath -- "possession," a place nearGathMoresheth
Gath. 4181, 4182. Moresheth
Gath. 4183 . "possession," a place
near
Gath. Transliteration: Moresheth
Gath Phonetic Spelling
...1662.Gath-hachepher -- "wine press of digging," home of Jonah
Gath-hachepher. 1661, 1662.Gath-hachepher. 1663 . "wine press of digging,"
home of Jonah. Transliteration:Gath-hachepher Phonetic...
1667.Gath-rimmon -- "wine press of a pomegranate," two places in...
Gath-rimmon. 1666, 1667.Gath-rimmon. 1668 . "wine press of a pomegranate,"
two places in Palestine. Transliteration:Gath-rimmon...
1661.Gath -- "wine press," a Philistine city
... 1660, 1661.Gath. 1662 . "wine press," a Philistine city. Transliteration:
Gath Phonetic Spelling: (gath) Short Definition:Gath....
1660.gath -- a wine press
... 1659, 1660.gath. 1661 . a wine press. Transliteration:gath Phonetic Spelling:
(gath) Short Definition: press.... 1659, 1660.gath. 1661 . Strong's Numbers
4183. Morashti -- inhab. of Moresheth-gath
... of Moresheth-gath. Transliteration: Morashti Phonetic Spelling: (mo-rash-tee') Short
Definition: Moresheth.... of Moresheth-gath NASB Word Usage Moresheth (2)....
1663. Gitti -- an inhabitant ofGath
... Gitti. 1664 . an inhabitant ofGath. Transliteration: Gitti Phonetic Spelling:
(ghit-tee') Short Definition: Gittite. Word Origin fromGath Definition an inhab...
397. Akish -- king ofGath
... 396, 397. Akish. 398 . king ofGath. Transliteration: Akish Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-keesh') Short Definition: Achish. Word Origin...
8407. Tiglath Pileser -- an Assyrian king
... Or Tiglath Plecer {tig- lath pel-eh-ser}; or Tilgath Pilnlecer {til-gath'
pil-neh-eh'-ser} or Tilgath Pilnecer {til-gath' pil-neh'-ser}; of foreign derivation...
1664. Gittayim -- a city in Benjamin
... Word Origin from the same asgath Definition a city in Benjamin NASB Word Usage
Gittaim (2). Gittaim.... see HEBREWgath. 1663, 1664. Gittayim. 1665 ....
Library
Ittai ofGath
... THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL ITTAI OFGATH.... Foremost among the little band come
six hundred men fromGath"Philistines"from Goliath's city....
Making the Best of Trouble
... for me in all the land of Israel; and so I will escape from him." David, therefore,
with the six hundred men who were with him went over to Achish, king ofGath...
The Exile Continued.
... That nearest Philistine city, some ten miles off, on which he looked down from his
height, wasGath; the glen where he had killed its champion was close beside...
The Exile --Continued.
... How perfectly this tone corresponds to the circumstances immediately after his
escape fromGath to Adullam need not be more than pointed out....
The Historicity of the Book of Jonah.
... "According to the word of the Lord God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of
his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, which was ofGath-hepher." 2...
A Song of Deliverance
... tradition preserved in the superscription of this psalm, it was written at the lowest
ebb of David's fortunes, 'when the Philistines took him inGath,' and as...
The Ark among the Philistines
... sent for all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, "What shall we do with the
ark of the god of Israel?" They answered, "Let it be carried around toGath."....
For what is There that Sober Ears could Wish Changed in this...
... of Samaria, where idols were worshipped: "Pass ye unto Calneh," he says, "and see,
and from thence go ye to Hamath the great; then go down toGath of the...
How David Fled to Ahimelech and Afterwards to the Kings of the...
... so he pretended to be distracted and mad, so that his spittle ran out of his mouth;
and he did other the like actions before the king ofGath, which might make...
The Exile --Continued.
... At all events he once more made a plunge into Philistine territory, and offers
himself and his men to the service of the King ofGath....
Thesaurus
Gath (44 Occurrences)... It was famous also as being the birthplace or residence of Goliath (1 Samuel
17:4). David fled from Saul to Achish, king of
Gath (1 Samuel 21:10; 27:2-4; Psalm
...Moresheth-gath (1 Occurrence)
Moresheth-gath. Moreshethgath, Moresheth-gath. Mo'resheth-gath . Easton's
Bible Dictionary... This place was probably a suburb ofGath. Int....
Gath-rimmon (4 Occurrences)
Gath-rimmon. Gathrimmon,Gath-rimmon.Gath-rim'mon . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Press of the pomegranate.... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.GATH-RIMMON....
Gath-hepher (2 Occurrences)
Gath-hepher. Gathhepher,Gath-hepher.Gath-he'pher . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Wine... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.GATH-HEPHER.gath...
Gath-rim'mon (4 Occurrences)
Gath-rim'mon.Gath-rimmon,Gath-rim'mon. Gaudy . Multi-Version
ConcordanceGath-rim'mon (4 Occurrences). Joshua 19:45...
Gath-he'pher (1 Occurrence)
Gath-he'pher.Gath-hepher,Gath-he'pher. Gathrimmon . Multi-Version
ConcordanceGath-he'pher (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings...
Mo'resheth-gath (1 Occurrence)
Mo'resheth-gath. Moresheth-gath, Mo'resheth-gath. Moriah .
Multi-Version Concordance Mo'resheth-gath (1 Occurrence)....
Til'gath-pilne'ser (3 Occurrences)
Til'gath-pilne'ser. Tilgath-pilneser, Til'gath-pilne'ser. Tiling .
Multi-Version Concordance Til'gath-pilne'ser (3 Occurrences)....
Moreshethgath (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MORESHETH-GATH. mo'-resh-eth-gath,
mo-resh'-eth-gath (moreshethgath, "inheritance or possession...
Achish (20 Occurrences)
... David remained with Achish a year and four months. (2.) Another king ofGath, probably
grandson of the foregoing, to whom the two servants of Shimei fled....
Resources
What were the emerods God afflicted the Philistines with in 1 Samuel 5? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jonah try to go to Tarshish instead of Nineveh? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Philistines? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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