1 Samuel 14:5 — Word Study
WLCהַשֵּׁ֧ן הָאֶחָ֛ד מָצ֥וּק מִצָּפ֖וֹן מ֣וּל מִכְמָ֑שׂ וְהָאֶחָ֥ד מִנֶּ֖גֶב מ֥וּל גָּֽבַע׃ ס
BSAOneʼechâd [unique, single] cliffshên [rock, pillar] stoodmâtsûwq to the northtsâphôwn [Zaphon, towards the northern direction] towardmûwl MichmashMikmâç [a city in ancient Palestine, hidden] and the otherʼechâd [second, additional] to the southnegeb [Negeb, the southern district] towardmûwl GebaGebaʻ [a city in the tribe of Benjamin, near Jerusalem]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַשֵּׁ֧ן | the tooth | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| הָאֶחָ֛ד | the one | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| מָצ֥וּק | a pillar | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| מִצָּפ֖וֹן | [was] from [the] north | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| מ֣וּל | opposite to | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| מִכְמָ֑שׂ | Micmash | Noun proper |
| וְהָאֶחָ֥ד | and the one [tooth] | Conjunction, particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| מִנֶּ֖גֶב | [was] from [the] south | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| מ֥וּל | opposite to | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| גָּֽבַע׃ ס | Geba | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba. |
| KJV | The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. |
| ASV | The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. |
| YLT | The one edge [is] fixed on the north over-against Michmash, and the one on the south over-against Gibeah. |
| WEB | The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. |
| BBE | The one rock went up on the north in front of Michmash and the other on the south in front of Geba. |
The translations agree on the rendering of the cliffs as מָצ֥וּק — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of two main clauses connected by a conjunction, detailing the locations of the cliffs.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Samuel 14:5
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Strategy of Jonathangenerated
1 Samuel 14:5 describes the positioning of two cliffs during a critical moment in Jonathan's plan against the Philistines. One cliff is noted to be north towards Michmash, while the other is south towards Geba. This geographical detail sets the stage for the unfolding events where Jonathan and his armor-bearer decide to confront their enemies, illustrating the tactical importance of the terrain in ancient warfare.
Cross References
The Key Word — מָצ֥וּק, ma.Tzukgenerated
The noun מָצ֥וּק (ma.Tzuk) means 'pillar' or 'column', derived from a root meaning 'to be narrow'. It refers to a physical support structure, often used in the context of buildings or monuments. In this verse, it emphasizes the cliffs as significant landmarks in the battle.
The word appears only twice in the Bible, highlighting its specific use in describing notable geographical features that serve as strategic points.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses cliff for the Hebrew מָצ֥וּק.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The sentence structure is straightforward, with the finite verb עָמַד (stood) governing the two noun phrases describing the cliffs. The order emphasizes the geographical locations — north and south — which are critical to understanding the strategic context.
The main clause presents the cliffs as subjects, each followed by prepositional phrases that clarify their locations relative to Michmash and Geba.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מָצ֥וּק as ὁδὸς (road), suggesting a broader interpretation of the cliffs as pathways or routes, which may reflect the translators' understanding of the terrain's significance.
This choice indicates a possible emphasis on the strategic movement rather than just the physical presence of the cliffs.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Samuel 14:5 describes two cliffs that Jonathan and his armor-bearer encounter. One cliff is located to the north towards Michmash, while the other is to the south towards Geba. This geographical detail highlights the strategic setting in which Jonathan plans his attack against the Philistines.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The cliffs represent strategic positions that Jonathan could use to his advantage in the battle against the Philistines.
These locations are significant as they provide context for the military actions taken by Jonathan and illustrate the geographical challenges faced during the conflict.
The term 'pillar' suggests that the cliffs are not only physical barriers but also serve as important landmarks in the narrative of Jonathan's military strategy.
Translations consistently use 'cliff' to convey the same geographical features, emphasizing their importance in the story.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What role do geographical features play in military strategy as seen in this passage?
- How can understanding the terrain enhance our interpretation of biblical narratives?
- In what ways might Jonathan's actions inspire us to take bold steps in challenging situations?
- How does the description of the cliffs contribute to the overall tension in the story?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Gregory the Dialogist and Bede refer to this verse to discuss the moral and spiritual implications of the cliffs' positioning.
The first rock juts out to the North, the other to the South, because through concupiscence the fervor of charity is extinguished, and through sin the ardor of concupiscence is increased.Early Church Fathers on 1 Samuel 14 →
A prominent rock towards the north, etc. Gabaa represents a hill, that is, the height of virtues; Magmas indicates the humility of the mind, from which virtues arise.Early Church Fathers on 1 Samuel 14 →
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Samuel 14:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe forefront of the one was situate northward, over against Michmash,.... The northern precipice of this rock was towards Michmash, where the Philistines lay encamped, and where was the passage of
Read John Gill on 1 Samuel 14 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Samuel 14 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments1 Samuel 14:5 The forefront of the one [was] situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.Ver. 5. The fore front.] Heb., The tooth. See 1 Samuel 14:4. Northward over against Michmash.] So that these rocks were placed on either end of the inlet or passage; and he that would pass must climb over both. Sic petitur caelum.
Read John Trapp on 1 Samuel 14 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5. the forefront of the one, &c.] Lit. The one crag (lit. tooth) was a pillar on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. The Sept. omits “a pillar.”
Read Cambridge on 1 Samuel 14 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible5. Gibeah — Rather, Geba. See note on 1 Samuel 13:16.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 1 Samuel 14 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.
The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.
The cliff to the north was closer to Micmash, the one to the south closer to Geba.
Tyndale line
The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
The one crag rose up on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
The front of the one was situated northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah.
The one rocke stretched from the North towarde Michmash, and the other was from the South toward Gibeah.
Strictly literal
The one crag [formed] a pillar on the north opposite to Michmash, and the other on the south opposite to Geba.
The one edge [is] fixed on the north over-against Michmash, and the one on the south over-against Gibeah.
One edge [is] fixed on the north in front of Michmash, and the one on the south in front of Gibeah.
The one point rose up abruptly northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Geba'.
One rocky cliff stood on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba.
From the Latin
One rock stood out towards the north over against Machmas, and the other to the south over against Gabaa.
Simplified
The cliff to the north was on the Michmash side, the one to the south on the Geba side.
The one rock went up on the north in front of Michmash and the other on the south in front of Geba.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree, with 9 of the 10 words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs, but the essential meanings remain consistent between the two texts.
הַשֵּׁ֧ן הָאֶחָ֛ד מָצ֥וּק מִצָּפ֖וֹן מ֣וּל מִכְמָ֑שׂ וְהָאֶחָ֥ד מִנֶּ֖גֶב מ֥וּל גָּֽבַע׃ ס
9 of the 10 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Samuel 14:5
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שֵׁן (shen) primarily means 'tooth' and can also refer to 'ivory.' It is derived from the root associated with sharpness, and it can figuratively denote a cliff or crag. The entries highlight various contexts, including its use in legal terms (lex talionis) and as a material in commerce.
שֵׁן n.f. tooth, ivory
base
H8127 שֵׁן tooth, ivory
8127 shen shane
from 8150; a tooth (as sharp); specifically (for 8143) ivory;
figuratively, a cliff:--crag, X forefront, ivory, X sharp,
tooth.
see HEBREW for 08150
see HEBREW for 08143
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth.
: tooth
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: ivory.
: ivory
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: crag.
: crag
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
שֵׁן (shen) — tooth: prong.
: prong
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
Tooth
One of the particulars regarding which retaliatory punishment was to be inflicted (Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21). “Gnashing of teeth” =rage, despair (Matt. 8:12; Acts 7:54); “cleanness of teeth” =famine (Amos 4:6); “children’s teeth set on edge” =children suffering for the sins of their fathers (Ezek. 18:2).
אֶחָד (echad) means 'one' and is derived from a numeral. It encompasses meanings such as each, every, a certain, and can serve as an indefinite article. It is also used as an ordinal to denote 'first' and appears in various combinations, including eleven. The entries consistently emphasize its numerical and qualitative aspects.
אֶחָד 972 adj.num. one
one
= each, every
= a certain
= indef. art.
only, & (fem.) once
one … another, one … the other
as ordinal first
in combin.
base
H259 אֶחָד one . one
. = each, every
. = a certain
. = indef. art.
. only, & (fem.) once
. one … another, one … the other
. as ordinal first
. in combin.
259 'echad ekh-awd'
a numeral from 258; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an
ordinal) first:--a, alike, alone, altogether, and,
any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly, each (one), +
eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only,
other, some, together,
see HEBREW for 0258
אֶחָד (e.chad) — one.
1) one (number)
1a) one (number)
1b) each, every
1c) a certain
1d) an (indefinite article)
1e) only, once, once for all
1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one
1g) first
1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Art | Adj — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
wun.
See NUMBER.
מָצוּק (matsuwq) refers to something narrow, specifically a pillar or column. It is derived from a root meaning 'to be narrow' and is associated with structures like molten supports or bases. The term appears in contexts relating to physical supports.
[מָצוּק] n.m. molten support, pillar
base
H4690 מָצוּק, מָצֻק
4690 matsuwq maw-tsook'
or matsuq {maw-tsook'}; from 6693; something narrow, i.e. a
column or hilltop:--pillar, situate.
see HEBREW for 06693
מָצוּק (ma.tsuq) — pillar.
molten support, pillar, column
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
pil'-ar (matstsebhah, `ammudh; stulos): In a good many cases the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "pillars" for the King James Version "images" (matstsebhoth, Ex 34:13; De 7:5; 1Ki 14:23, etc.). In Ge 19:26, where "pillar of salt" is given, the word is netsibh; in 1Sa 2:8 it is matsuq; while in most other single uses the Revised Version margin gives variant renderings, as in Jud 9:6 (mutstsabh), the Revised Version margin "garrison"; in 1Ki 10:12 (mic`adh), the Revised Version margin "`a railing,'…
Pillar
Used to support a building (Judg. 16:26, 29); as a trophy or memorial (Gen. 28:18; 35:20; Ex. 24:4; 1 Sam. 15:12, A.V., “place,” more correctly “monument,” or “trophy of victory,” as in 2 Sam. 18:18); of fire, by which the Divine Presence was manifested (Ex. 13:2). The “plain of the pillar” in Judg. 9:6 ought to be, as in the Revised Version, the “oak of the pillar”, i.e., of the monument or stone set up by Joshua (24:26).
The notion of a pillar is of a shaft or isolated pile either supporting or not supporting a roof. But perhaps the earliest application of the pillar was the votive or monumental, This in early times consisted of nothing but a single stone or pile of stones. (Genesis 28:18; 31:40) etc. The stone Ezel, (1 Samuel 20:19) was probably a terminal stone or a way-mark. The "place" set up by Saul (1 Samuel 15:12) is explained by St, Jerome to be a trophy. So also Jacob set up a pillar over Rachel’s grave. (Genesis 36:20) The monolithic tombs and obelisks of Petra are instances of similar usage. Lastly, the figurative use of the term "pillar," in reference to the cloud and fire…
Sometimes means a monumental column, Ge 35:20 2Sa 18:18; or a column of cloud or smoke, Ex 13:21 Jud 20:40. The stately column which adorns and supports the front of a temple, Jud 16:25-30 Job 9:6 26:11, illustrates the position of prophets, Jer 1:18, apostles, Ga 2:9, believers, Re 3:12, and the church itself, respecting the truth, 1Ti 3:15.
צָפוֹן (tsaphown) means 'north' and is derived from a root meaning 'hidden' or 'dark.' It is used specifically to refer to the northern direction, often associated with gloominess and the unknown. The term also appears in the context of a name, 'Zaphon,' which similarly denotes the north.
צָפוֹן 153 n.f. north (as the hidden, dark)
base
H6828 צָפוֹן north
6828 tsaphown tsaw-fone'
or tsaphon {tsaw-fone'}; from 6845; properly, hidden, i.e.
dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and
unknown):--north(-ern, side, -ward, wind).
see HEBREW for 06845
צָפוֹן (tsa.phon) — north.
1) north (of direction), northward
1a) north
1b) northward
צָפוֹן (tsa.phon) — Zaphon.
This name means north
Also named: tsa.phon (צָפוֹן "Zaphon" H6829)
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
See EAST. The Babylonians and Assyrians are represented as coming from "the north," because they invaded Israel by a northern route in order to avoid the desert, Jer 1:14 46:6,24 Zep 2:13. "Fair weather," says Job, or golden weather, "cometh out of the north," Job 37:22. This is as true in Syria and Arabia now as it was three thousand years ago. A traveler there remarks, "Our friends, who have been long residents, informed us that we should have fair weather for our start on the morrow, as the wind was from the north."
"... And so we have found it come to pass that the clouds of a golden hue always followed upon a north wind, and indicated a clear day; and as in the times of the Savior, we could always say when it was evening…
מוּל (mul) means 'front' or 'in front of,' and is used adverbially to indicate position or direction. It can refer to being opposite or toward the front of something. The word is derived from a root meaning 'abrupt' or 'precipice,' and appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, such as in Deuteronomy 1:1 and Numbers 22:5.
מוּל, מוֹל, מוֹאל subst. and prep. front, in front of
base
H4136 מוּל, מוֹל, מוֹאל front, in front of
4136 muwl mool
or mowl (Deuteronomy 1:1) {mole}; or mowtl (Nehemiah 12:38)
{mole}; or mul (Numbers 22:5) {mool}; from 4135; properly,
abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only
adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite:--(over)
against, before, (fore-)front, from, (God-)ward, toward, with.
see HEBREW for 04135
מוּל (mul) — opposite.
1) front
1a) front
1b) in the opposite direction
prep
2) in front of
2a) in front of
2b) (with prefix)
2b1) towards the front of, to the front of, on the front of
2b2) from the front of, off the front of, close in front of, on the forefront of
Prep — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
מִכְמָס (Mikmac) refers to a city in the territory of Benjamin, located north of Jerusalem. The name is derived from a root meaning 'hidden.' It appears in biblical texts such as Ezra 2:2 and Nehemiah 11:31, indicating its historical significance in the region.
מִכְמָס n.pr.loc.; = מִכְמָשׂ;—city in Benjamin, N. fr. Geba and Jerusalem (E. fr. Bethaven)
base
H4363 מִכְמָס; = מִכְמָשׂ;—city in Benjamin, N. fr. Geba and Jerusalem (E. fr. Bethaven)
4363 Mikmac mik-maws'
(Ezra 2:2 or Mikmash {mik-mawsh'}; or Mikmash (Neh. 11:31)
{mik-mash'}; from 3647; hidden; Mikmas or Mikmash, a place in
Palestine:--Mikmas, Mikmash.
see HEBREW for 03647
מִכְמָס, מִכְמָשׂ (mikh.mas) — Michmash.
§ Michmas or Michmash = "hidden"
a city in Benjamin lying near Ramah and approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of Jerusalem; probably modern 'Mukhmas'
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
אֶחָד (echad) means 'one' and is derived from a numeral. It encompasses meanings such as each, every, a certain, and can serve as an indefinite article. It is also used as an ordinal to denote 'first' and appears in various combinations, including eleven. The entries consistently emphasize its numerical and qualitative aspects.
אֶחָד 972 adj.num. one
one
= each, every
= a certain
= indef. art.
only, & (fem.) once
one … another, one … the other
as ordinal first
in combin.
base
H259 אֶחָד one . one
. = each, every
. = a certain
. = indef. art.
. only, & (fem.) once
. one … another, one … the other
. as ordinal first
. in combin.
259 'echad ekh-awd'
a numeral from 258; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an
ordinal) first:--a, alike, alone, altogether, and,
any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-)ly, each (one), +
eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only,
other, some, together,
see HEBREW for 0258
אֶחָד (e.chad) — one.
1) one (number)
1a) one (number)
1b) each, every
1c) a certain
1d) an (indefinite article)
1e) only, once, once for all
1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one
1g) first
1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Conj | Art | Adj — Conjunction · particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Td/Ncfsa
Tooth
One of the particulars regarding which retaliatory punishment was to be inflicted (Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21). “Gnashing of teeth” =rage, despair (Matt. 8:12; Acts 7:54); “cleanness of teeth” =famine (Amos 4:6); “children’s teeth set on edge” =children suffering for the sins of their fathers (Ezek. 18:2).
נֶ֫גֶב (negev) refers to the southern region of Judah, often characterized by its dry, parched landscape. The term can mean 'south-country' or simply 'south.' It is derived from an unused root associated with drought. The entries consistently identify it with the Negeb area, without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
נֶ֫גֶב n.[m.] south-country, Negeb, south
base
H5045 נֶ֫גֶב south-country, Negeb, south
5045 negeb neh'-gheb
from an unused root meaning to be parched; the south (from
its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of
Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine):--south
(country, side, -ward).
נֶ֫גֶב (ne.gev) — Negeb.
region of southern Judah
Also named: ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "south" H5045H)
This name means south-country
נֶ֫גֶב (ne.gev) — south.
A sub-meaning of ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "Negeb" H5045)
§ 1) south-country, Nekeb, south
1a) south-country
1a1) region of southern Judah, boundaries not specific
1b) south
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
south:
(1) neghebh, according BDB from [?] naghabh, meaning "to be dry," the word most often used, in the Revised Version (British and American) capitalized (South) in those places where it seems to denote a particular region, i.e. to the South of Judah.
(2) yamin, "right hand," "right." The derived meaning, "south," seems to imply an eastern posture in prayer in which the right hand is toward the South; compare Arabic yamin, "right," and yemen, "Yemen," a region in Southwestern Arabia.
South
Heb. Negeb, that arid district to the south of Palestine through which lay the caravan route from Central Palestine to Egypt (Gen. 12:9; 13:1, 3; 46:1-6). “The Negeb comprised a considerable but irregularly-shaped tract of country, its main portion stretching from the mountains and lowlands of Judah in the north to the mountains of Azazemeh in the south, and from the Dead Sea and southern Ghoron the east to the Mediterranean on the west.” In Ezek. 20:46 (21:1 in Heb.) three different Hebrew words are all rendered “south.” (1) “Set thy face toward the south” (Teman, the region on the right, 1 Sam. 33:24); (2) “Drop thy word toward the south” (Negeb, the region of dryness,
מוּל (mul) means 'front' or 'in front of,' and is used adverbially to indicate position or direction. It can refer to being opposite or toward the front of something. The word is derived from a root meaning 'abrupt' or 'precipice,' and appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, such as in Deuteronomy 1:1 and Numbers 22:5.
מוּל, מוֹל, מוֹאל subst. and prep. front, in front of
base
H4136 מוּל, מוֹל, מוֹאל front, in front of
4136 muwl mool
or mowl (Deuteronomy 1:1) {mole}; or mowtl (Nehemiah 12:38)
{mole}; or mul (Numbers 22:5) {mool}; from 4135; properly,
abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only
adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite:--(over)
against, before, (fore-)front, from, (God-)ward, toward, with.
see HEBREW for 04135
מוּל (mul) — opposite.
1) front
1a) front
1b) in the opposite direction
prep
2) in front of
2a) in front of
2b) (with prefix)
2b1) towards the front of, to the front of, on the front of
2b2) from the front of, off the front of, close in front of, on the forefront of
Prep — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
גֶּ֫בַע (Geba) refers to a Levitical city located in the territory of Benjamin, identified with the modern site 'Jeba'. The name means 'hill', reflecting its elevated position northeast of Jerusalem. The entries also note that it is associated with other locations like Gibeah and Gibeon. There is some overlap in naming, as it is sometimes referred to as Gibeah.
גֶּ֫בַע n.pr.loc. Levitical city, in Benjamin
base
H1387 גֶּ֫בַע Levitical city in Benjamin
1387 Geba` gheh'-bah
from the same as 1375, a hillock; Geba, a place in
Palestine:--Gaba, Geba, Gibeah.
see HEBREW for 01375
גֶּ֫בַע (ge.va) — Geba.
§ Gaba or Geba or Gibeah = "hill"
a city in Benjamin, modern 'Jeba', which stands on the top of a steep terraced hill, six miles or ten kilometres north east of Jerusalem and three miles or five kilometres from Gibeah, on the edge of the Wadi Suweinit looking northward to the opposite village of ancient Michmash, modern 'Mukhmas'
גֶּ֫בַע (ge.va) — Gibeah.
Gaba or Geba or Gibeah = "hill"
a city in Benjamin, modern 'Jeba', which stands on the top of a steep terraced hill, six miles or ten kilometres north east of Jerusalem and three miles or five kilometres from Gibeah, on the edge of the Wadi Suweinit looking northward to the opposite village of ancient Michmash, modern 'Mukhmas'
Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)
גֶּ֫בַע (ge.va) — Geba.
Gaba or Geba or Gibeah = "hill"
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
ge'-ba (gebha`, "hill"):
(1) A town on the Northeast boundary of the territory of Benjamin (Jos 18:24), given to the Levites (Jos 21:17; 1Ch 6:60). It stood on the northern frontier of the kingdom of Judah, Geba and Beersheba marking respectively the northern and southern limits (2Ki 23:8). In 2Sa 5:25 "Geba" should be altered to "Gibeon," which stands in the corresponding passage, 1Ch 14:16. In Jud 20:10,33; 1Sa 13:3,16, the Hebrew reads "Geba," the…
Geba
The hill, (2 Sam. 5:25 [1 Chr. 14:16, “Gibeon”]; 2 Kings 23:8; Neh. 11:31), a Levitical city of Benjamin (1 Kings 15:22; 1 Sam. 13:16; 14:5, wrongly “Gibeah” in the A.V.), on the north border of Judah near Gibeah (Isa. 10:29; Josh. 18:24, 28). “From Geba to Beersheba” expressed the whole extent of the kingdom of Judah, just as “from Dan to Beersheba” described the whole length of Palestine (2 Kings…
(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 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…
A Levitical town of Benjamin, Jos 18:24 21:17 1Ch 8:6, near Ramah, Ne 7:30 Isa 10:29, and not far from the northern border of the kingdom of Judah, 2Ki 23:8 Zec 14:10. Near Geba David defeated the Philistines, 2Sa 5:25. Asa renewed it from the ruins of Ramah, 1Ki 15:22. It was six or seven miles from Jerusalem, and was separated from Michmash on the north by a deep valley. See GIBEAH.