The word "gibeah" is a Hebrew name often found in the Bible. Its spelling may seem unusual to English speakers, but it is pronounced with a hard "g" sound as in "goat", followed by the vowel sound "i" as in "beet", and a stressed "ay" sound as in "way". The phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈɡɪ.bi.ə/. Other variations of the spelling can include "Gibeon" or "Gibeah of Benjamin". The significance of these biblical locations may differ depending on the interpretation of the text.
Gibeah is a term that holds historical and biblical significance, primarily found in the Old Testament of the Bible. It refers to a geographical location in ancient Israel, most commonly associated with a city or a hill within the territory of the Israelite tribe of Benjamin.
Etymologically, the word "gibeah" is derived from the Hebrew term "giv'ah," which means "hill" or "elevated place." As such, "gibeah" is often translated as "hill" or "hill city" in English translations of the Bible.
Gibeah is mentioned multiple times throughout the Old Testament, playing a significant role in numerous narratives. Notably, it was the hometown of the first Israelite king, Saul, and later served as a royal residence for King Saul and his successor, King David.
Although the precise location of Gibeah remains uncertain, historical and archaeological studies suggest that it might correspond to the modern-day archaeological site of Tel el-Fūl, located approximately three kilometers north of Jerusalem. Tel el-Fūl exhibits characteristics of an ancient fortified hill city, making it a strong candidate for the biblical Gibeah.
In summary, Gibeah is a biblical term that refers to a city or hill in ancient Israel, particularly associated with the tribe of Benjamin. This historical location holds significance in the narratives of the Old Testament and played a role in the reigns of King Saul and King David.
The word "gibeah" has its etymology rooted in Hebrew. It comes from the Hebrew term "gib'ah" (גִּבְעָה), which means "hill" or "height". In the context of ancient Palestine, a "gibeah" referred to a small hill or mound that often served as a town or settlement. It is worth noting that "gibeah" is the anglicized version of the Hebrew word.