גָּבַל
𐤂𐤁𐤋
gâbal
H1379 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To bound, mark, or set a limit—primarily referring to delineating borders or boundaries. The verb conveys the act of defining or demarcating a geographic or social limit, especially by means of a measurable or visible marker. In broader contexts, it can reference the act of establishing, marking off, or enclosing a space—generally with a sense of confinement or restriction resulting from an established boundary.
Semantic Range
to set a boundary, to mark a border, to allot territory, to enclose or demarcate land, to define spatial or social limits
Root / Etymology
Root: גבל, signifying 'to bound, to border'. Most likely derived from the common noun גְּבוּל (g'vul, 'border, boundary'), the verb reflects the concrete action of marking or defining a boundary (originally conceivably by twisting a cord or line). The root is generally used in connection with land, territory, or defined spaces, although its semantic development is shaped by the procedural act of enclosure or definition, not just physical surroundings.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, גָּבַל (gabal) occurs infrequently and typically in contexts concerning the physical demarcation of land, tribe, or territory—such as setting or marking off the boundaries assigned to different clans or tribes within Israelite society (e.g., Ezekiel 47:13). The derived noun גְּבוּל became the standard term for 'boundary' or 'border' in biblical usage, whereas the verb is rare and almost exclusively formal or legalistic in function. There are no significant attested uses outside boundary or allotment contexts; thus, the verb's scope is limited compared to other verbs for enclosure (like סָגַר 'to close, shut'). Later Hebrew tends to use גבל in a more abstract sense (e.g., to separate or limit in general), but such developments post-date the biblical corpus. Standard English translations sometimes obscure the active sense by translating with nouns or static phrasing; the underlying idea is always action—the act of placing or establishing a boundary, not simply the existence of a border.
Translation Consistency
“Set” is the most natural, flexible single verb to render גָּבַל’s typical meanings (set a boundary, set off/allot land, set a limit or mark). It’s idiomatic in English (“set a boundary,” “set off land”) and covers the primary semantic range without sounding formal or archaic, ensuring consistent, natural renderings across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; also as a denominative from גְּבוּל; properly, to twist as arope; to bound (as by a line); be border, set (bounds about).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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גבל (g-b-l) — to bound, to border, to mark limits
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1366 | גְּבוּל | in boundary of |
| H1367 | גְּבוּלָה | in boundary-lines of |
| H1380 | גְּבַל | Gebal |
| H1381 | גְּבָל | Gebal Borderland |
| H1382 | גִּבְלִי | the Gebalite |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1379-05 |
יִגְבֹּל | yigebol | HVqi3ms |
forms the border | he will set a boundary | forms the border | 1 |
H1379-02 |
הַגְבֵּ֥ל | hagebel | HVhv2ms |
set bounds | Set a boundary | set a boundary | 1 |
H1379-04 |
וְ/הִגְבַּלְתָּ֤ | vehigebaleta | HC/Vhq2ms |
you shall set bounds | and you shall set a boundary | and you shall set a boundary | 1 |
H1379-03 |
תִּגְבָּל | tigebal | HVqi3fs |
shall border | she will set a boundary | it will set a boundary | 1 |
H1379-01 |
גָּבְל֖וּ | gavelu | HVqp3cp |
they-have-set | they bounded | they have set | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1379-04 |
Exodus 19:12 | וְ/הִגְבַּלְתָּ֤ | vehigebaleta | HC/Vhq2ms |
you shall set bounds | and you shall set a boundary | and you shall set a boundary |
H1379-02 |
Exodus 19:23 | הַגְבֵּ֥ל | hagebel | HVhv2ms |
set bounds | Set a boundary | set a boundary |
H1379-01 |
Deuteronomy 19:14 | גָּבְל֖וּ | gavelu | HVqp3cp |
they-have-set | they bounded | they have set |
H1379-05 |
Joshua 18:20 | יִגְבֹּל | yigebol | HVqi3ms |
forms the border | he will set a boundary | forms the border |
H1379-03 |
Zechariah 9:2 | תִּגְבָּל | tigebal | HVqi3fs |
shall border | she will set a boundary | it will set a boundary |