גִּזוֹנִי
𐤂𐤆𐤅𐤍𐤉
Gizoni
H1493 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A designation for an individual originating from or associated with a place called Gizôn (גִּזוֹן), the Gizonite. The term primarily serves as a gentilic—a word indicating geographic or familial association—signifying either native or inhabitant of the location Gizôn. Used in genealogical or military lists to identify origin or ancestry linked to this specific place.
Semantic Range
inhabitant of Gizôn, person of Gizôn, Gizonite, associated with Gizôn
Root / Etymology
Formed as a gentilice adjective from the place name גִּזוֹן (Gizôn), utilizing the Hebrew gentilic suffix ־ִי (-î), which denotes association or belonging. The root, if recoverable, would be ג־ז־ן; however, the place name itself is unattested elsewhere, and its etymology is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term גִּזוֹנִי occurs only in 1 Chronicles 11:34, describing Shammah the Gizonite among David's warriors. The location Gizôn is otherwise unknown in the Hebrew Bible and not confidently identified archaeologically; its inclusion in the genealogies and military rosters reflects an ancient Israelite practice of specifying local or ancestral origins. The term does not carry connotations of a tribal, ethnic, or religious identity per se, but simply marks geographical origin or familial connection. Later English translations use "Gizonite," though this transliterates rather than translates, due to the lack of further information about Gizôn. The term does not appear elsewhere in biblical or post-biblical sources, and its use is limited to the monarchic-era context of David's warrior elite; it gives no indication of distinct cultural or social attributes beyond origin. There is no overlap or confusion with terms such as Judahite or Israelite. The use of -î gentilic forms is common for place-associated identities throughout the Hebrew Bible.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patrial from the unused name of a place apparently in Palestine; a Gizonite or inhabitant of Gizoh; Gizonite.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
גזן (Gizoni) — to cut, to shear (if based on the root); place association (from the gentilic suffix)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1493-01 |
הַ/גִּ֣זוֹנִ֔י | hagizoni | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Gizonite | the Gizonite | the Gizoni | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1493-01 |
1 Chronicles 11:34 | הַ/גִּ֣זוֹנִ֔י | hagizoni | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Gizonite | the Gizonite | the Gizoni |