Topical Encyclopedia
Gibeah, a significant city in ancient Israel, is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. Its name, meaning "hill" in Hebrew, reflects its geographical setting. Gibeah is most notably recognized as the hometown of King Saul, Israel's first king, and plays a pivotal role in several biblical narratives.
Location and Historical ContextGibeah is identified with modern-day Tell el-Ful, located approximately three miles north of Jerusalem. Its strategic position on a hill made it a prominent site in the tribal territory of Benjamin. The city's history is deeply intertwined with the tribe of Benjamin, as it served as a central location for the tribe.
Biblical References1.
The Outrage at Gibeah: One of the most infamous events associated with Gibeah is recorded in
Judges 19-21. A Levite and his concubine stopped in Gibeah, where the men of the city committed a grievous sin against them. This atrocity led to a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes.
Judges 19:22 states, "While they were enjoying themselves, some wicked men of the city surrounded the house, pounded on the door, and shouted to the old man who owned the house, 'Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have relations with him!'"
2.
Saul's Reign: Gibeah is prominently featured in the narrative of Saul's kingship. It served as his capital and the center of his administration.
1 Samuel 10:26 notes, "Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, and the men of valor whose hearts God had touched went with him." This highlights Gibeah's role as a political and military hub during Saul's reign.
3.
Military Significance: Gibeah's strategic location made it a site of military importance. In
1 Samuel 13:2 , it is recorded that "Saul chose three thousand men of Israel. Two thousand were with him at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin." This passage underscores Gibeah's role in Israel's military campaigns.
4.
Prophetic Denunciations: The prophets also mention Gibeah in their denunciations of Israel's sins.
Hosea 9:9 states, "They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their iniquity; He will punish their sins." This reference to the events in Gibeah serves as a symbol of moral decay and divine judgment.
Archaeological InsightsArchaeological excavations at Tell el-Ful have provided insights into the city's layout and historical context. The remains suggest a fortified city, consistent with its biblical portrayal as a significant urban center. The findings include structures that date back to the Iron Age, aligning with the period of Saul's reign.
Theological SignificanceGibeah's narratives offer profound theological insights into themes of sin, judgment, leadership, and redemption. The events at Gibeah serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of moral corruption and the need for righteous leadership. Saul's association with Gibeah also highlights the complexities of his kingship and the challenges of leading God's people.
In summary, Gibeah stands as a testament to the rich and complex history of ancient Israel, serving as a backdrop for significant biblical events and offering enduring lessons for faith and leadership.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Gibeaha hill
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Gibeaha 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 withTuleil-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.
ATS Bible Dictionary
GibeahA hill,
1. A city of Benjamin,1 Samuel 13:15, and the birthplace and residence of Saul king of Israel; whence it is frequently called "Gibeah of Saul,"1 Samuel 11:4; 15:34; 23:19; 26:1;2 Samuel 21:6;Isaiah 10:29. Gibeah was also famous for its sins; particularly for its sins; particularly for that committed by forcing the young Levite's wife, who went to lodge there; and for the war which succeeded it, to the almost entire extermination of the tribe of Benjamin, Jud 19:1- 30. Scripture remarks, that this occurred at a time when there was no king in Israel, and when every one did what was right in his own eyes. Dr. Robinson found traces of Gebeah in the small and ruinous village of Jeba, near Ramah, separated from Michmash on the north by a deep valley, and about six miles north by east from Jerusalem.
2. A town of Judah,Joshua 15:57, which lay about ten miles southwest of Jerusalem. The prophet Habakkuk is said to have been buried here.
3. In mount Ephraim, called Gibeah of Phinehas, where Eleazar the son of Aaron was buried,Joshua 24:33. It is found in the narrow valley El-Jib, midway between Jerusalem and Shechem.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A hill or hill-town, "of Benjamin" (
1 Samuel 13:15), better known as "Gibeah of Saul" (
11:4;
Isaiah 10:29). It was here that the terrible outrage was committed on the Levite's concubine which led to the almost utter extirpation of the tribe of Benjamin (
Judges 19; 20), only six hundred men surviving after a succession of disastrous battles. This was the birthplace of Saul, and continued to be his residence after he became king (
1 Samuel 10:26;
11:4;
15:34). It was reckoned among the ancient sanctuaries of Palestine (
10:26;
15:34;
23:19;
26:1;
2 Samuel 21:6-10), and hence it is called "Gibeah of God" (
1 Samuel 10:5, R.V. marg.). It has been identified with the modern Tell el-Ful (i.e., "hill of the bean"), about 3 miles north of Jerusalem.
Gibeah of Judah
(Joshua 15:57), a city in the mountains of Judah, the modern Jeba, on a hill in the Wady Musurr, about 7 1/2 miles west-south-west of Bethlehem.
Gibeah of Phinehas
(Joshua 15:57, R.V. marg.), a city on Mount Ephraim which had been given to Phinehas (24:33 "hill, " A.V.; R.V. marg. and Hebrews, "Gibeah."). Here Eleazar the son of Aaron was buried. It has been identified with the modern Khurbet Jibia, 5 miles north of Guphna towards Shechem.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GIBEAHgib'-e-a (gibh`ah, "hill"): The Hebrew word denotes generally an eminence or hill, in distinction from har, which is used for mountain, or mountain range. It occurs, however, in two instances, as a place-name. Under GEBA (which see) we have seen that Geba, Gibeah, and Gibeon are liable to be confused. This arises from their resemblance in form and meaning.
(1) A city in the territory of Judah (Joshua 15:57). It is named in the group containing Carmel, Ziph and Kain; it is therefore probably to be sought to the Southeast of Hebron. It may be one of the two villages mentioned by Eusebius, Onomasticon (s.v. "Gabathon"), Gabaa and Gabatha; in the East of the Daroma. It is probably identical with Gibeah mentioned in2 Chronicles 13:2.
(2) A city described as belonging to Benjamin (Joshua 18:28Judges 19:14) Gibeah of Benjamin (1 Samuel 13:2, 15;1 Samuel 14:16), Gibeah of the children of Benjamin (2 Samuel 23:29), Gibeah of Saul (1 Samuel 11:4Isaiah 10:29), and possibly, also, Gibeah of God (1 Samuel 10:5 margin); see GIBEATH, 4.
1. History:
The narrative in which it first appears is one of extraordinary and tragic interest, casting priceless light on the conditions prevailing in those days when "there was no king in Israel" (Judges 19). A Levite sojourning on the farther side of Mt. Ephraim was deserted by his concubine who returned to her father's house in Beth-lehem-judah. Thither he went to persuade her to return. Hospitably entertained by her father, he tarried till the afternoon of the fifth day. The evening was nigh when they came over against Jebus-Jerusalem-but, rejecting his servant's suggestion that they should lodge in this "city of a stranger"-i.e. the Jebusite-the Levite pressed on, and when they were near to Gibeah the sun set. They entered the city and sat down in the street. The laws of hospitality today do not compel the entertainment of strangers who arrive after sunset. But it may have been through disregard of all law that they were left unbefriended. An old man from Mt. Ephraim took pity on them, invited them to his house, and made himself responsible for their necessities. Then follows the horrible story of outrage upon the Levite's concubine; the way in which he made known his wrongs to Israel; and the terrible revenge exacted from the Benjamites, who would not give up to justice the miscreants of Gibeah.
Gibeah was the home of Saul, the first king of Israel, and thither he returned after his election at Mizpah (1 Samuel 10:26). From Gibeah he summoned Israel to assemble for the relief of Jabesh-gilead, which was threatened by Nahash the Ammonite (1 Samuel 11:4). In the wars of Saul with the Philistines, Gibeah seems to have played a conspicuous part (1 Samuel 13:15). Here were exposed the bodies of the seven sons of Saul, slain by David's orders, to appease the Gibeonites, furnishing the occasion for Rizpah's pathetic vigil (2 Samuel 21:1). Gibeah is mentioned in the description of the Assyrian advance on Jerusalem (Isaiah 10:29).
2. Identification:
The site now generally accepted as that of Gibeah is on Teleil el-Ful, an artificial mound about 4 miles North of Jerusalem, a short distance East of the high road to Shechem. A little way North of Teleil el-Ful, the high road bifurcates, one branch turning eastward to Jeba`, i.e. Geba (which should be read instead of "Gibeah" inJudges 20:31); the other continuing northward to Bethel. Not far from the parting of the ways, on the road to Jeba` lies erRam, corresponding to Ramah (Judges 19:13). At Gibeah, about 30 furlongs from Jerusalem, Titus encamped for the night on his advance against the city from the North Teleil el-Ful quite satisfactorily suits all the data here indicated.
The words inJudges 20:33 rendered by the King James Version "the meadows of Gibeah," the Revised Version (British and American) "Maareh-geba"-simply transliterating-and the Revised Version, margin "the meadow of Geba" (or Gibeah), by a slight emendation of the text, read "from the west of Gibeah," which is certainly correct.
W. Ewing
Strong's Hebrew
1193. Baal Tamar -- "possessor of palms," a place nearGibeah... Baal Tamar. 1194 . "possessor of palms," a place near
Gibeah. Transliteration:
Baal Tamar Phonetic Spelling: (bah'-al taw-mawr') Short Definition: Baal-tamar.
...4051. Migron -- an area nearGibeah, also a place North of...
... Migron. 4052 . an area nearGibeah, also a place North of Michmash. Transliteration:
Migron Phonetic Spelling: (mig-rone') Short Definition: Migron....
1395. Gibathi -- an inhabitant of Gibath (orGibeah)
... 1394, 1395. Gibathi. 1396 . an inhabitant of Gibath (orGibeah). Transliteration:
Gibathi Phonetic Spelling: (ghib-aw-thee') Short Definition: Gibeathite....
1390. Gibah -- "hill," three cities in Palestine
... Gibah. 1391 . "hill," three cities in Palestine. Transliteration: Gibah Phonetic
Spelling: (ghib-aw') Short Definition:Gibeah.... NASB Word UsageGibeah (45)....
1387. Geba -- a Levitical city of Benjamin
... Gaba, Geba,Gibeah. From the same as gbiya', a hillock; Geba, a place in Palestine --
Gaba, Geba,Gibeah. see HEBREW gbiya'. 1386, 1387. Geba. 1388 ....
1388. Giba -- a descendant of Caleb
... of Caleb NASB Word Usage Gibea (1).Gibeah. By permutation for gib'ah; a hill; Giba,
a place in Palestine --Gibeah. see HEBREW gib'ah. 1387, 1388....
Library
Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim.Gibeah.
...Gibeah.... See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat inGibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the
Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea?...
The Crime Committed by the Inhabitants ofGibeah against the Wife...
... Book III. Chapter XIX. The crime committed by the inhabitants ofGibeah
against the wife of a certain Levite? The crime committed...
Jonathan's Brave Deed
... Israelites. Two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and on the highland of
Bethel, and a thousand were with his son Jonathan inGibeah....
How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews...
... of his own body, and abode in the city Bethel, but he gave the rest of them to Jonathan
his son, to be the guards of his body; and sent him toGibeah, where he...
How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites...
... Accordingly, he obtained his purpose, and came toGibeah, a city of the tribe of
Benjamin, when it was just dark; and while no one that lived in the market...
How Samuel Found a Leader
... THE OLD TESTAMENT HOW SAMUEL FOUND A LEADER. There was a rich Benjamite named
Kish, who lived atGibeah.... After that you shall come toGibeah....
The Judges.
... with the many stories of idolatry and sin of the times and especially in contrast
with the story of the idolatry of Micah and the crime ofGibeah found in the...
The Exile.
... IV."THE EXILE. David's first years at the court of Saul inGibeah do not
appear to have produced any psalms which still survive....
Death and Life from the Ark
... that dwelleth between the cherubims.3. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart,
and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was inGibeah: and Uzzah...
'Fruit which is Death'
... on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills,
Fall on us.9. O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days ofGibeah: there they...
Thesaurus
Gibeah (52 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary A hill or hill-town, "of Benjamin" (1 Samuel 13:15), better
known as "
Gibeah of Saul" (11:4; Isaiah 10:29).
...Gibeah of Judah.
...Gibeah-haaraloth
Gibeah-haaraloth. Gibeahhaaraloth,Gibeah-haaraloth. Gibeath . Easton's Bible
Dictionary... Gibeahhaaraloth,Gibeah-haaraloth. Gibeath . Reference Bible.
Gib'e-ah (45 Occurrences)
Gib'e-ah.Gibeah, Gib'e-ah. Gibeahhaaraloth .... Gib'e-ah (45 Occurrences). Joshua
15:57 Kain,Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages. (See RSV)....
Benjamites (24 Occurrences)
... 19:16 Behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even: now
the man was of the hill country of Ephraim, and he sojourned inGibeah; but the...
Gibeath (2 Occurrences)
... GIBEATH (1). gib'e-ath (gibh`ath): This is the status constructus of the foregoing
(Gibeah). It is found in several compound place-names....
Meadow (8 Occurrences)
... (2.) Hebrews ma'areh (Judges 20:33), pl., "meadows ofGibeah" (RV, after
the LXX., "Maareh-geba"). Some have adopted the rendering...
Liers (11 Occurrences)
... And he brake them from off his arms like a thread. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). Judges
20:29 And Israel set liers in wait round aboutGibeah. (KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)....
Country
... Several times it occurs as a place-name, "Gibeah of Judah" (Joshua 15:20, 57);
"Gibeah of Benjamin" or "Saul" (Judges 19:12-16, etc.); "Gibeah of Phinehas...
Abinadab (12 Occurrences)
... man in whose house the men of Kiriath-jearim placed the ark, after its return from
the land of the Philistines, his house being either inGibeah of Benjamin or...
Liers-in-wait (10 Occurrences)
... And he brake them off his arms like a thread. (ASV JPS). Judges 20:29 And Israel
set liers-in-wait againstGibeah round about. (ASV JPS)....
Resources
What is the significance of Gibeah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Saul is also among the prophets? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Benjamin? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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