Gebal is a term of ancient origin that has been used to refer to multiple geographical entities throughout history. In its earliest mentions, Gebal was an ancient city located on the coast of modern-day Lebanon. This city, also known as Byblos, was a prosperous Phoenician trading hub renowned for its production and exportation of papyrus, hence its Greek name "Byblos," meaning "book." Byblos/Gebal played a significant role in the spread of the Phoenician alphabet, which ultimately laid the foundation for the development of numerous writing systems.
In other contexts, Gebal is mentioned as a general term denoting the region of ancient Phoenicia, encompassing numerous city-states along the eastern Mediterranean. It represents the ancient Canaanite civilization and its cultural, economic, and political influence in the region during different periods of history.
Furthermore, the term "Gebal" also appears in biblical texts, specifically in the Old Testament. In these references, Gebal is associated with the inhabitants of a geographical region in what is now Lebanon, mentioned as a land occupied by the Phoenician population. These biblical references often regard Gebal as an enemy or adversary of the ancient Israelites.
Overall, Gebal is an ancient term that refers to either a specific ancient city in Lebanon, the broader region of Phoenicia, or as an element of biblical history and its association with the Phoenician civilization.
