גֶּזֶר
𐤂𐤆𐤓
Gezer
H1507 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Gezer — a Canaanite city located in the Shephelah region west of the hill country of Ephraim, prominent in several biblical periods. Used as a proper noun for the city itself, and sometimes for its territory or localized population. In biblical texts, Gezer is referenced primarily in narrative and geographical lists as a significant settlement and strategic site.
Semantic Range
Gezer (proper name of a city), Gezer as a region or territory, the settlement itself; occasionally as shorthand for its inhabitants but not as an ethnonym
Root / Etymology
From the root גזר, which means 'to cut, divide, separate.' The place name Gezer (גֶּזֶר) likely originated either from a topographical feature (a site set apart or delineated) or, less likely, from an eponymous founder. The exact motivation for the name is uncertain, but it aligns with other Semitic toponyms derived from geographic or administrative distinctions.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Gezer appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, first as a Canaanite city (e.g., Joshua 10:33) and later as the site given as a dowry to the Israelite king Solomon by the Egyptian pharaoh (1 Kings 9:16). It lies on major trade and military routes and is mentioned in detailed conquest, allocation, and border lists. The term never refers to a people but strictly to the city and, by extension, the territory under its control. Archaeological evidence confirms Gezer’s significant role throughout the Bronze and Iron Ages. English translations may occasionally obscure the connection to the site by varying the spelling (‘Gezer’ vs. ‘Gazer’). The name should not be confused with the common noun גֶּזֶר ('portion, segment'), though both stem from the same root. In post-biblical periods, the site retained historical significance and was remembered in later Jewish and Christian traditions, but the original biblical mentions are strictly geographic and historical.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as גֶּזֶר; Gezer, a place in Palestine; Gazer, Gezer.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גזר (g-z-r) — to cut, divide, separate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1504 | גָּזַר | he cut off |
| H1505 | גְּזַר | decreeing ones |
| H1506 | גֶּזֶר | the cut-off pieces |
| H1508 | גִּזְרָה | their separated portion |
| H1509 | גְּזֵרָה | cut-off tract |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1507-05 |
גֶּ֔זֶר | gezer | HNp |
Gezer | Gezer (Divided Place) | Gezer | 6 |
H1507-03 |
גָּ֑זֶר | gazer | HNp |
Gezer | Gezer | Gezer | 4 |
H1507-01 |
בְּ/גָ֑זֶר | begazer | HR/Np |
in Gezer | in Gezer | in Gezer | 3 |
H1507-02 |
בְּ/גֶ֖זֶר | begezer | HR/Np |
at Gezer | in Gezer | in Gezer | 1 |
H1507-04 |
גָּֽזְרָ/ה | gazerah | HNp/Sd |
Gezer | Gezer | Gezer | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
15 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1507-05 |
Joshua 10:33 | גֶּ֔זֶר | gezer | HNp |
of Gezer | Gezer (Divided Place) | Gezer |
H1507-05 |
Joshua 12:12 | גֶּ֖זֶר | gezer | HNp |
of Gezer | Gezer (Divided Place) | Gezer |
H1507-03 |
Joshua 16:3 | גָּ֑זֶר | gazer | HNp |
Gezer | Gezer | Gezer |
H1507-01 |
Joshua 16:10 | בְּ/גָ֑זֶר | begazer | HR/Np |
in Gezer | in Gezer | in Gezer |
H1507-05 |
Joshua 21:21 | גֶּ֖זֶר | gezer | HNp |
Gezer | Gezer (Divided Place) | Gezer |
H1507-01 |
Judges 1:29 | בְּ/גָ֑זֶר | begazer | HR/Np |
in Gezer | in Gezer | in Gezer |
H1507-01 |
Judges 1:29 | בְּ/גָֽזֶר | begazer-2 | HR/Np |
in Gezer | in Gezer | in Gezer |
H1507-03 |
2 Samuel 5:25 | גָֽזֶר | gazer | HNp |
Gezer | Gezer | Gezer |
H1507-03 |
1 Kings 9:15 | גָּֽזֶר | gazer | HNp |
Gezer | Gezer | Gezer |
H1507-05 |
1 Kings 9:16 | גֶּ֨זֶר֙ | gezer | HNp |
Gezer | Gezer (Divided Place) | Gezer |