Geology of Palestine – Giddel

Geology of Palestine

I. Natural divisions. — The land of Palestine (using the name in its widest sense to include the trans-Jordanic plateau and the Sinai Peninsula) is divided by its configuration and by natural boundary lines into five strongly contrasted divisions. These are (1) the Coast Plain, (2) the Western Table-land, (3) the GhOr, (4) the Eastern Table-land, (5) the Sinai Peninsula.

1. The Coast Plain extends from the mouth of the Nile to Carmel (the political boundary line, the valley known as Wady el-‘AfUh, or the River of Egypt, is of no importance geologically). North of Carmel, Esdraelon and the narrow strip that extends as far as Beyrout is the continuation of the same division. It is characterized by sandhills along the coast, and by undulating ground inland.2 . The Western Table -land extends from Lebanon to the northern border of Sinai: the headland of Carmel is an intrusion from this division on to the preceding. It consists of a ridge of limestone with deep valleys running into it on each side, and at Hebron it attains a height of 3040 feet above the sea-level; it broadens out into the desert of the Tih (or of the’ wanderings’) — an almost barren expanse of an average level of 4000 feet. 3. The Ghor is the line of a fault wherein the strata on the Eastern side have been raised, or on the western side depressed. It runs from the base of Lebanon to the Dead Sea, where it is 1292 feet below the level of the Mediterranean; thence it rises to 640 feet above the same plane at er-Rishi, whence it descends by a gentle slope to the Gulf of ‘Akabah. 4. The Eastern Table-land runs along the W. side of the Arabian desert from Hermon to the Gulf of ‘Akabah. It is chiefly volcanic in the character of its rocks. 5. The Sinai Peninsula is composed of Archasan rocks, which form bare mountains of very striking outline.

Each of these divisions has special characters of its own. The Coast Plain is composed of sand, gravel, or calcareous sandstone, overlaid in many places with rich fertile loam. The Western Table-land has streams rising in copious springs of water stored in the limestone strata; these streams on the Eastern side have a veryrapid fall, owing to the great depth of the GhOr. The hills are generally bare, but the valleys, where the soil has accumulated, are very fertile. The surface of theGASr is for its greater part alluvial. The Eastern Table-land is composed of granite and other igneous rocks, overlaid towards the North by sandstones which are themselves covered by calcareous strata. To the South, however, it is entirely covered with basaltic lava sheets, through which the cones of extinct volcanoes rise. The Sinai Peninsula Is characterized by its barrenness, vegetation being found only in the valleys.

II. Geological formations. — The geological formations of which the above regions are composed are the following. — (1) Archaean (granitic gneiss, hornblende, diorite, etc.): the oldest rocks in this region, found only among the mountains of Sinai and Edom. — (2) Volcanic (lavas, ash-beds, etc.): found in the Wady HarQn and Jebal esh-Shomar, east of the Dead Sea. — (3) Lower Carboniferoiis (sandstone, blue limestone): found in Wady Nasb, and Lebruj, E. of the Dead Sea: sandstones below, and limestones containing shells and corals of carboniferous limestone species. ^(4) Cretaceous: lower beds of Nubian sandstone, which is found all along the Tib escarpment and along the Western escarpment from ‘Akabah to beyond the Dead Sea. It was probably a lake-deposit. It is overlaid by a great thickness of cretaceous limestone, amounting to nearly 1000 feet. This is the most important constituent of the rocks of Palestine. Good building stones are taken from it in the quarries of Jerusalem. — (5) Lower Eocene: nummulite limestone, found overlying the cretaceous beds in elevated situations, such as Carmel, Nablus, and Jerusalem. — (6) Upper Eocene: a formation of calcareous sandstone on the surface between Beersheba and Jaffa. Its true position is uncertain. Prof. Hull assigns it to the Upper Eocene, but Dr. Blanckenhorn to a post-tertiary or diluvial origin. — (7) Miocene Period. No rocks are assignable to this period, but it is important as being that in which the country rose from the bed of the sea and assumed its present form. This was the time when the great fault in the Jordan valley took place. — (8) Pliocene to Pluvial Period. During this period a subsidence of about 220 feet took place round the Mediterranean and Red Sea basins, afterwards compensated by a re-elevation. The evidence for this remains in a number of raised beaches, especially in the valley of Sheriah, east of Gaza. A similar phenomenon has been found at Mokattam, above Cairo. — (9) Pluvial to Recent Period. In the glacial epoch there were extensive glaciers in Lebanon, which have left traces in a number of moraines. At that time the temperature was colder, and the rainfall higher; hence the valleys, now dry, were channels of running water. Alluvial terraces in the Jordan valley-lake prove that the Dead Sea was formerly hundreds of feet higher than its present level. With the passing of the Pleistocene period the lakes and streams were reduced to their present limits. R. A. S. Macalister.

Gephybuh

A city captured by Judas Maccabseus (2 Maccabees 12:13; AV ‘he went also about to make a bridge to a certain city,’ RV ‘he also fell upon a certain city Gephyrun’). It is possible that the Greek text is corrupt (see RVm).

Geb

See Stranger.

Gera

One of Benjamin’s sons (Genesis 46:21, omitted in Numbers 26:38–40). Ace. to 1 Chronicles 8:3, 5, 7 he was a son of Bela and a grandson of Benjamin. Gera was evidently a well-known Benjamite clan, to which belonged Ehud (Judges 3:15) and Shimei (2 Samuel 16 19:16, 18. 1 Kings 2:8).

GERAH, the twentieth part of the shekel (Exodus 30:13, Leviticus 27:25 etc.). See Monet, 3; Weights and Measures, ni.

Gerar

A place mentioned in Genesis 10:19 in the boundary of the Canaanite territory near Gaza, where Abraham sojourned and came in contact with a certain ‘Abimelech king of Gerar’ (20’). A similar experience is recorded of Isaac (26’), but the stories are evidently not independent. Gerar reappears only in 2 Chronicles 14:13, 14. in the description of the rout of the Ethiopians by Asa, in which Gerar was the limit of the pursuit. Eusebius makes Gerar 25 Roman miles S. of Eleutheropolis; hence it has been sought at Umm el- Jerdr, 6 miles S. of Gaza. This, however, seems a comparatively modern site and name. Possibly there were two Gerars: the Abrahamic Gerar has also been identified with Wady Jerar, 13 miles W.S.W. from Kadesh. The problem, like that of the mention of Philistines in connexion with this place in the time of Abraham, has not yet been solved.

R. A. S. Macalister.

GERASA, — A city of the Decapolis of unknown origin, the first known event in its history being its capture by Alexander Jannseus, about B.C. 83. It was rebuilt by the Romans in a.d. 65, and destroyed in the Jewish revolt. Vespasian’s general, Lucius Annius, again took and destroyed the city. In the 2nd cent. a.d. it was a flourishing city, adorned with monuments of art; it was at this time a centre of the worship of Artemis. It afterwards became the seat of a bishop, but seems to have been finally destroyed in the Byzantine age. An uncertain tradition of some Jewish scholars, favoured by some modern writers, identifies it with Ramoth-gilead. The ruins of the city still exist under the modern name JerSsh; they lie among the mountains of Gilead, about 20 miles from the Jordan. These are very extensive, and testify to the importance and magnificence of the city, but they are unfortunately being rapidly destroyed by. a colony of Circassians who have been established here. The chief remains are those of the town walls, the street of columns, several temples, a triumphal arch, a hippodrome, a theatre, etc.

Gerasa is not mentioned in the Bible, unless the identification with Ramoth-gilead hold. The Gerasenes referred to in Mark 5:1 (RV) cannot belong to this place, which is too far away from the Sea of Galilee to suit the story. This name probably refers to a place named Kersa, on the shore of the Lake, which fulfils the requirements. See Gadara. R. A. S. Macalister,

Gerasenes, Gergesenes

See Gadara and Gerasa. R. A. S. Macalister.

GEBIZDU, — A mountain which with Ebal encloses the valley In which is built the town of Nablus (Shechem). The Samaritan sect regard it as holy, it being to them what Jerusalem and Mount Zion are to the Jew. According to Samaritan tradition, the sacrifice of Isaac took place here. From Gerizim were pronounced the blessings attached to observance of the Law (Joshua 8:33). when the Israelites formally took possession of the country. It was probably chosen as the fortunate mountain (as contrasted with Ebal, the mount of cursings), because it would be on the right hand of a spectator facing east. Here Jotham spoke his parable to the elders of Shechem (Judges 9:7).

The acoustic properties of the valley are said to be remarkable, and experiment has shown that from some parts of the mountain it is possible with very little effort to make the voice carry over a very considerable area. A ledge of rock half-way up the hill is still often called ‘Jotham’s pulpit.’

On this mountain was erected, about 432 b.c, a Samaritan temple, which was destroyed about 300 years afterwards by Hyrcanus. Its site is pointed out on a small level plateau, under the hill-top. The Passover is annually celebrated here. Other ruins of less interest are to be seen on the mountain-top, such as the remains of a castle and a Byzantine church. The summit of the mountain commands a view embracing nearly the whole of Palestine. Contrary to the statement of Josephu^, it is not the highest of the mountains of Samaria, Ebal and Tell ‘Azur being rather higher. R. A. S. Macalister.

Gebon

Gebon should possibly appear as a proper name in 2 Maccabees 6:1 (AV and RV ‘an old man of Athens’; RVra ‘Geron an Athenian’).

Gerrenians

Gerrenians (2 Maccabees 13:24). The true reading and the people intended are both uncertain. The analogy of 1 Maccabees 11:59 suggests some place near the border of Egypt ; but Gerrha, between Pelusium and Bhinocolura, was in Egyptian territory. It has been suggested that the reference is to Gerar, an ancient Phil, city S.E. of Gaza. On the other hand, Syr. reads Gazar, i.e. Gezer or Gazara, not far from Lydda (cf. 1 Mac

15:28, 35).

Gershom

1. The elder of the two sons borne to Moses by Zipporah (Exodus 2:22 IS^-‘; the explanation of the name given in these two passages is folk-etymology). According to Exodus 14:25, 26. the origin of circumcision among the Israelites was connected with that of Gershora; the rite was performed by his mother; this was contrary to later usage, according to.which this was always done by a man. The son of Gershom, Jonathan, and his descendants were priests to the tribe of the Danites; but the fact that these latter set up for themselves a graven image, and that therefore the descendants of Gershom were connected with worship of this kind, was regarded as a grave evil by later generations, for which reason the word’ Moses’ in Judges 18:30 was read ‘Manasseh’ by the insertion of an n above the text; it was thought derogatory to the memory of Moses that descendants of his should have been guilty of the worship of graven images. In Judges 17:7 there is a possible reference to Gershom, for the words ‘and he sojourned there’ can also be read ‘and he (was) Gershom’ (W. H. Bennett). In 1 Chronicles 23:16 26:24 the sons of Gershom are mentioned, Shebuel or Shubael being their chief. 2. A son of Levi (1 Chronicles 6:16 [v.i in Heb.]); see Gershon. 3. A descendant of Phinehas, one of the ‘heads of houses’ who went up with Ezra from Babylon in the reign of Artaxerxes (Ezra 8:2). W. O. E. Obsterley.

Gershon, Gershonites

The name Gershon is given to the eldest son of Levi, to whom a division of the Levites traced their descent (Genesis 46:11. Exodus 6:16. Numbers 3:17. 1 Chronicles 6:1, 16 [Gershom] 23:6). The title ‘Gershonites’ is found in Numbers 3:21, 23 f. 48 26:57. jos 21:33. 1 Chronicles 23:7 26:21, 2 Chronicles 29:12; and of an individual, 1 Chronicles 26:21 29:8; the ‘sons of Gershon’ (Exodus 6:17. Numbers 3:18, 25 4 7:7 10:17. Joshua 21:6, 27). or ‘of Gershom’ (1 Chronicles 6 15:7). They were subdivided into two groups, the Libnites and the Shimeites (Numbers 3:21 26:58), each being traced to a ‘son’ of Gershon (Exodus 6:17, Numbers 3:18, 1 ch 6:17, 20 [42, shimei is omitted from the genealogy]). ‘Ladan’ stands for Libni in 1 Chronicles 23:7 ff. 26:21. From these families fragments of genealogies remain (see 1 Chronicles 23:8–11). Comparatively little is related of the Gershonites after the Exile. Certain of them are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:15 and Nehemiah 11 as dwelling in Jerusalem immediately after the Return. Of the ‘sons of Asaph’ (Gershonites), 128 (Ezra 2:41) or 148 (Nehemiah 7:44) returned with Ezra to the city in B.C. 454. Asaphites led the music at the foundation of the Temple (Ezra 3:10)) and certain of them blew trumpets in the procession at the dedication of the city walls (Nehemiah 12:35).

P and the Chronicler introduce the family into the earlier history. (1) During the desert wanderings the Gershonites were on the west side of the Tent (Numbers 3:23) their duty was to carry all the hangings which composed the Tent proper, and the outer coverings and the hangings of the C9urt, with their cords (3:25 f.), for which they were given two wagons and four oxen (7:7) and they were superintended by Ithamar, the youngest son of Aaron (4 7:8). (2) After the settlement in Palestine, thftieen cities were assigned to them (Joshua 21:6, 27–33 = i ch 6) (3) In David’s reign the Chronicler relates that the Temple music was managed partly by Asaph, a Geishonite, and his family (l. Ch 6 26"- H"- ‘"• "‘■ "; and see 16) David divided the Levites into courses’ according to the sons of Levi’ (23:6; Gershonites, w.’-")| and particular offices of Gershonites are stated in 26 (4) Jahaziel, an Asaphite, prophesied to Jehoshaphat before the battle of En-gedi (2 Chronicles 20:14–17). (5) They took part in the cleansing of the Temple under Hezekiah (29:12 f.). ). Cf. also Kohath.

A. H. M’Neile.

Gerson

Gerson (1 Esdras 8:29) = Ezr g2 Gershom.

Geruth-ohimham

Geruth-ohimham (Jeremiah 41:17). A khan (7) which possibly derived its name from Chimham, the son of Barzillai the Gileadite (2 Samuel 19:37 f.). Instead of girath we should perhaps read gidrdth ‘hurdles.’

Geshan

A descendant of Caleb, 1 Chronicles 2:47. Mod. editions of AV have Gesham, although the correct form of the name appears in ed. of 1611.

Geshem

Geshem (Nehemiah 2:19 6:1, 2; in 6:6 the form Gashmu occurs). — An Arabian who is named, along with Sanballat the Horonlte and Tobiah the Ammonite, as an opponent of Nehemiah during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:19 6:1 ff.). He may have belonged to an Arab community which, as we learn from the monuments, was settled by Sargon in Samaria c. B.C. 715 — this would explain his close connexion with the Samaritans; or he may have been the chief of an Arab tribe dweUiiig in the S. of Judah, in which case his presence would point to a coalition of all the neighbouring peoples against Jerusalem.

Geshur, Geshurites

A small Aramaean tribe, whose territory, together with that of Maacah (wh. see), formed the W. border of Bashan (Deuteronomy 3:14, Joshua 12 13:11). The Geshurites were not expelled by the half-tribe of Manasseh, to whom their land had been allotted (Joshua 13:13), and were still ruled by an independent king in the reign of David, who married the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 8 3:3). After the murder of his half-brother Amnon, Absalom took refuge with his maternal grandfather in ‘Geshur of Aram’ (2 Samuel 13:37 15:8). Geshur ‘and Maacah were probably situated in the modern Jaulan, if they are not to be identified with it. In 1 Oh 2:23 Geshur and Aram are said to have taken the’ tent- villages’ of Jair from the Israelites. On the strength of Joshua 13:2 and 1 Samuel 27:8. it has been maintained that there was another tribe of this name in the neighbourhood of the Philistines ; but the evidence in support of this view is very precarious.

Gestures

The Oriental is a natural expert in appropriate and expressive gesture. To his impulsive and emotional temperament, attitude and action form a more apt vehicle for thought and feeling than even speech. Movement of feature, shrug of shoulder, turn of hand, express much, and suggest delicate shades of meaning which cannot be put in words. Conversation is accompanied by a sort of running commentary of gestures. Easterns conduct argument and altercation at the pitch of their voices; emphasis is supplied almost wholly by gestures. These are often so violent that an unskilled witness might naturally expect to see bloodshed follow.

The word does not occur in Scripture, but the thing, in various forms, is constantly appearing. Bowing the head or body marks reverence, homage, or worship (Genesis 18:2. Exodus 20:5. 1 Chronicles 21:21, Psalms 95:6. Isaiah 60:14). The same is true of kneeling (1 Kings 19:18. 2 Kings 1:13. Psalms 95:6. Mark 1:40). This sign of homage the tempter sought from Jesus (Matthew 4:9). Kneeling was a common attitude in prayer (1 Kings 8:54. Ezra 9. Daniel 6:10. Luke 22:41. Ephesians 3:14 etc.). The glance of the eye may mean appeal, as the upward look in prayer (Job 22. Mark 6:41 etc.), anger (Mark 3:5). or reproach (Luke 22:61). A shake of the head may express scorn or derision (2 Kings 9:21. Psalms 109:25. Mark 15:29 etc.). A grimace of the lip is a sign of contempt (Psalms 22:7). shaking the dust off the feet, or shaking, however gently, one’s raiment, indicates complete severance (Matthew 10:14 etc.). denial of responsibility (Acts 18:16). and often now, total ignorance of any matter referred to. Rending the garments betokens consternation, real (Genesis 37:29. Joshua 7:6. Acts 14:14 etc.) or assumed (2 Chronicles 23:13, Matthew 26:65). and grief (Judges 11:35. 2 Samuel 1:11 etc.). Joy was expressed by dancing (Exodus 15:20. 1 Samuel 30:16. Jeremiah 31:4 etc.) and dapping the hands (Psalms 47:1. Isaiah 55:12 etc.). Spitting upon, or in the face, indicated deep despite (Numbers 12:14. Isaiah 50:6. Matthew 26:67, etc.). See Hand, Modbninq Customs, Salutation.

Some gestures in common use are probably ancient. One who narrowly escapes danger, describing his experience, will crack his thumb nail off the edge of his front teeth, suggesting Job’s ‘with the skin of my teeth’ (19:20). One charged with a fault will put his elbows to his sides, turn his palms outward, and shrug his shoulders, with a slight side inclination of the head, repudiating responsibility for an act which, in his judgment, was plainly inevitable. W. EwiNb.

Gether

Named in Genesis 10:23. along with Vz, Hul, and Mash, as one of the ‘sons of Aram’ (in 1 Chronicles 1:17 simply ‘sons of Shem’). The clan of which he is the eponymous founder has not been identified.

Gethsemane

A place to which Christ retired with His disciples (Matthew 26:36. Mark 14:32). and where Judas betrayed Him. It was probably a favourite resort of our Lord, as Judas knew where He was likely to be found. There are two traditional sites, side by side, one under the Greeks, the other under the Latins. It may be admitted that they are somewhere near the proper site, on the W. slope of the Mount of Olives above the Kidron; but there is no justification for the exact localization of the site. R. A. S. Macalister.

Geuel

The Gadite spy, Numbers 13:15 (P).

Gezer

A very ancient city of the ShephSIah, on the borders of the Philistine Plain; Inhabited c. B.C. 3000 by a race probably kin to the Horites, who were succeeded by the Semitic Canaanites about b.c. 2500. These were not driven out by the invading Israelites (Judges 1:29). In David’s time the city was in Philistine hands (1 Chronicles 20:4). The king of Egypt captured it, and gave it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife (1 Kings 9:16). Simon Maccabaeus besieged and captured it, and built for himself a dwelling-place (1 Mao 13 Gazara RV). The city has been partly excavated by the Palestine Exploration Fund, and Simon’s dweUingplace discovered, as well as a great Canaanite high place, and innumerable other remains of early Palestinian civilization. R. A. S. Macalister.

Ghost

A ghost = Germ. Geist (the ft has crept into the word through what Earle calls an Italian affectation of spelling) is a spirit. The word is also used in Old English of the breath, the soul or spirit of a living person, and even a dead body. In AV it occurs only in the phrase ‘give up or yield up the ghost’ and in the name ‘the Holy Ghost.’ Wherever in AV hagion ‘holy’ occurs with pneuma ‘spirit,’ the tr. is ‘Holy Ghost’; but when pneuma occurs alone, it is always rendered ‘Spirit’ or ‘spirit,’ according as it is supposed to refer to God or to man. See Holy Spirit and Spirit.

6IAH. — Named in the account of Joab’s pursuit of Abner (2 Samuel 2:24). Its situation is quite unknown; it is even doubtful whether the mention of Giah is not due to textual corruption.

Giant

I. In the O.T.— 1. As tr. of Heb. nephUlm. In Genesis 6:4 the Nephilim appear as a race of demi-gods, distinguished by their power and renown, but without any mention of gigantic stature. The context itself suggests that they were the antediluvians, or among the antediluvians, destroyed by the Flood. The story of their origin is, however, common in more or less degree to many ancient races; and it is thought by some to have no original connexion with the Flood story. At any rate the name appears again in Numbers 13:33. where they appear to be identified with the Anakim. It seems probable, therefore, that the story in Gen. is an ancient myth which arose to account for the origin of this race, and perhaps of other ancient races of a similar type.

2. As tr. of Heb. repfts’lm. This word, frequently left untranslated, esp. in RV, is used of several probably different aboriginal peoples of Palestine, and probably meant ‘giants.’ The Rephaim included the Anakim, the aborigines of Philistia and the southern districts of Judah (Deuteronomy 2:11) the Emlm, the aborigines of the Moabite country (Deuteronomy 2:10) the Zamzummim, the aborigines of the Ammonite country (Deuteronomy 2:20). who are perhaps to be identified with the Zuzim of Genesis 14:5; and the old inhabitants of Bashan (Deuteronomy 3:11). The statement that Ogi whose gigantic bedstead (or perhaps sarcophagus ; see Driver, in loco) was still to be seen at Rabbah, was one of the Rephaim (though the last surviving member of the race in that district) is confirmed by Genesis 14:5. where the Rephaim are the first of the peoples smitten by the four kings on their journey south. These were followed by the Zuzim and Emim. We thus have evidence of a widely-spread people or peoples called Rephaim from ancient times. In addition to the Rephaim of Bashan, the Zuzim or Zamzummim, and the Emim, on the east of Jordan, the Anakim in the south-west and south — for Arba, the traditional founder of Hebron, is described as the progenitor of the Anakim (Joshua 15:13) — we find traces of Rephaim in the well-known valley of that name near Jerusalem (Joshua 15:8, 9). and apparently also in the territory of Ephraim (Joshua 17:15). Taken together, this evidence seems to suggest that the name Rephaim was applied to the pre-Canaanite races of Palestine.

There is a well-known tendency among ancient peoples to regard their aborigines either as giants or as dwarfs, according as they were a taller or a shorter race than themselves. Thus the Anakim were so tall that the Israelitish spies were in comparison as grasshoppers (Numbers 13:33). "The ‘bed- Btead’ of Og cannot possibly have been less than 11 ft . in length [the more probable estimate of the cubit would give 13 ft. 6 in.] ; but this is not very surprising if a sarcophagus is really meant, as it was a compliment to a dead hero to give him a large tomb (Deuteronomy 3:11). The Zamzummim are described as a people ‘great and tall like the Anakim’ (Deuteronomy 2:21). Again, Goliath was a man of fabulous height.

The Rephaim were, no doubt, very largely annihilated by their conquerors, but partly also absorbed. We naturally find the most evident traces of them in those districts of Palestine and its borders more recently occupied by past invaders, as in the East of Jordan and Philistia. In the latter country especially, that most recently occupied before the Israelitish settlement, we seem to find traces of them in the encounter with Goliath and his kind. Whereas Og was the last of the Rephaim of Bashan at the time of the Conquest, these seem to have continued to the time of David.

3. As tr. of the sing.word rSpftffift orrSpfta’. This is evidently akin to the plur. repha’lm. In 2 Samuel 21:15–22. part of which recurs in 1 Chronicles 20:4–8. four mighty Philistines — Ishbi-benob, Saph (Chron. ‘Sippai’), Goliath the Gittite (Chron. ‘Lahmi, the brother of Goliath,’ etc.), and a monster with 6 fingers on each hand and 6 toes on each foot — are called ‘sons of the giant.’ As, however, the four are said in v. 22 to have fallen by the hand of David and his servants, and not one of them is described as slain by David, the passage is evidently incomplete, and the original probably contained the story of some encounter by David, with which the story of Goliath came to be confused. This, which ascribes his death to Elhanan, is probably the earliest form of that story, and it is probable that the reading of Chronicles is a gloss intended to reconcile this passage with 1 Samuel 17. ‘The giant’ is probably used generically, meaning that they were all ‘giants.’ The passage is probably an extract from an old account of David and his faithful companions while he was an outlaw, from which also we get the greater part of 2 Samuel 23. Though Goliath in the well-known story is not called a giant, he was certainly the typical giant of the OT. His height, 6 cubits and a span (1 Samuel 17:4), not necessarily more than 7 ft. 4 In., but more probably 9 ft. 10 in., may well be regarded, with the enormous size and weight of his armour, as the natural exaggeration to be expected in a popular story. Even if the story is not historical in its present form, it arose out of the conflicts which David and his men were frequently having with those Philistine giants. There is no mention of the Rephaim or of a single giant after David’s time.

4. As tr. of Heb. gibbSr = ‘a mighty man,’ as in Job 16:14; cf. Psalms 19:5 (Pr.-Bk. version). This is hardly a correct tr. of the word.

II. In the Apocrypha. — We find here some interesting allusions: (1) to the supposed destruction of the NephUlm by the Flood (Wisdom 14:6. Sirach 16:7. Baruch 3:26–28) (2)_to the slaughter of the ‘giant’ by David (Sirach 47:4).

F. H. Woods. GIBBAB. — A family which returned with Zerub. (Ezra 2:20). The name is probably an error for Gibeon of Nehemiah 7:25.

Gibbethoh

( ‘mound,’ ‘height ‘). A town belonging to the tribe of Dan, and a Levltical city (Joshua 19:44 21:23). Nadab, king of Israel, was besieging it when he was slain by Baasha; and Omri was similarly engaged when he was made king by the army (1 Kings 15:27 16). It is possibly the modern Kibbiah, to the N.E. of Lydda. 6IBEA.— A grandson of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:49). The list of the descendants of Judah through Caleb given in 1 Chronicles 2 is geographical rather than genealogical, and comprises all the towns lying in the Negeb of Judah to the S. of Hebron. Gibea is probably only a variation in spelling of the more common Gibeah, See Gibeah, 1. GIBEAH (Heb. gib’ah,’ a hill’). — The name, similar in form and meaning to Geba, attached to a place not far from that city. The two have sometimes been confused. It is necessary to note carefully where the word means ‘hill’ and where it is the name of a city. At least two places were so called. 1. A city in the mountains of Judah (Joshua 15:57. perhaps also 2 Chronicles 13:2). near Carmel and Ziph, to the S.E. of Hebron, and therefore not to be identified with the modern Jeba’, 9 miles W. of Bethlehem (OnoTnast.); site unknown. 2. Gibeah of Benjamin (Judges 19:12 etc.), the scene of the awful outrage upon the Levite’s concubine, and of the conflict in which the assembled tribes executed such terrible vengeance upon Benjamin. It was the home of Israel’s first Idng (1 Samuel 10:26). and was known as ‘Gibeah of Saul’ (1 Samuel 11:4. Isaiah 10:29) probably identical with ‘Gibeah of God’ (1 Samuel 10:5 RVm). From the narrative regarding the Levite we learn that Gibeah lay near the N. road from Bethlehem, between Jerusalem and Ramah. It was near the point where the road from Geba joined the highway towards Bethel (Judges 20:31). Judges 20:33 affords no guidance: Maareh-geba (RV) is only a transliteration of the words as they stand in MT. A slight emendation of the text makes it read ‘from the west of Gibeah,’ which is probably correct (Moore, Judges, in loc). Josephus, who calls it ‘Gabaothsaul’ (BJ V. ii. 1), places it 30 stadia N. of Jerusalem. The site most closely agreeing with these conditions is Tuleil d-Fill, an artificial mound, E. of the road to the N., about 4 miles from Jerusalem. The road to Jeba’ leads off the main road immediately to the north of the site. Certain remains of ancient buildings there are, but nothing of importance has yet been discovered. As a place of strategic importance, Gibeah formed the base of Saul’s operations against the Philistines (1 S 13. 14). There was enacted the tragedy in which seven of Saul’s sons perished, giving occasion for the pathetic vigil of Rizpah. It appears in the description of Sennacherib’s advance from the north (Isaiah 10:28–32).

W. BWING. GIBEATH (Heb. gib’ath, st. constr. of gib’ah), ‘hill of,’ enters into the composition of place names, and is occasionally retained untranslated by RVm. Such instances are: (o) Oibeath hO-‘arOldth,’ hill of the foreskins,’ where the Israelites were circumcised (Joshua 5:3). (B) Gibeath-Phinehas, in Mount Ephraim, where Eleazar was buried (Joshua 24) site unknown, (c) Gibeath ham-nareh (Judges 7:1 etc.; see Moheh, 2). (d) Oibeath hO-Blohlm (1 Samuel 10:5) = Gibeah, 2. (e) Gibeath hO- HachUah (1 Samuel 23:19 etc.). See Haohilah. (/) Oibeath Ammah (2 Samuel 2:24). See Ammah. (ff) Gibeath Gareb (Jeremiah 31:39). See Gareb, 2. W. Ewinq.

Gibeon

A town in Palestine north of Jerusalem. Its inhabitants seem to have been Hivites (Joshua 9:7), though spoken of in 2 Samuel 21:2 by the more general term ‘Amorites.’ It was a city of considerable size. Its inhabitants, by means of a trick, succeeded in making a truce with Joshua, but were reduced to servitude (Joshua 9) ; a coalition of other Canaanite kings against it was destroyed by him (ch. 10). It became a Levitical city (21:17) in the tribe of Benjamin (IS^s). The circumstances of the destruction of part of the Gibeonites by Saul (2 Samuel 21:1) are unknown. Here the champions of David fought those of the rival king Ish-bosheth (2 S 2:12–32), and defeated them; and here Joab murdered Amasa (20:9). The ‘great stone’ in Gibeon was probably some part of the important high place which we know from 1 Kings 3:4 was situated here. The statement of the parallel passage, 2 Chronicles 1:3. that the ark was placed here at the time, is probably due merely to the desire of the Chronicler to explain Solomon’s sacrificing there in the light of the Deuteronomic legislation. Here Solomon was vouchsafed a theophany at the beginning of his reign. In Jeremiah 41:12 we again hear of Gibeon, in connexion with Johanan’s expedition against Ishmael to avenge the murder of Gedaliah.

The city has constantly been identified with el-Jib, and there can be little or no doubt that the identification is correct. This is a small village standing on an isolated hill about 5 miles from Jerusalem. The hill is rocky and regularly terraced. It is remarkable chiefly for its copious springs — a reputation it evidently had in antiquity(2 S 2:13. Jeremiah 41:12). Ninety-five Gibeonites returned from Babylon under Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 7:25). and Gibeonites were employed in repairing part of the wall of Jerusalem (3:7). At Gibeon, Cestius GaUus encamped in his march from Antipatris to Jerusalem.

R. A. S. Macalister.

Giddalti

(‘I magnify [God]‘). A son of Heman (1 Chronicles 25:4, 29).

Giddel

(‘very great’). 1. The eponym of a family of Nethinim (Ezra 2:47 = Nehemiah 7:49) called in 1 Esdras 5:30 Cathua. 2. The eponym of a family of ‘Solomon’s servants’ (Ezra 2:56 = Nehemiah 7:58) called in 1 Esdras 5:33 Isdael.