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גִּיחוֹן

𐤂𐤉𐤇𐤅𐤍

Gichon

H1521 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גיח to burst forth, to gush, to break out

Definition

Gihon — a proper noun referring to two distinct entities: (1) a river mentioned in Genesis as one of the four rivers branching from the main stream flowing out of Eden; (2) a prominent spring in Jerusalem, serving as a vital water source throughout the Israelite, Judahite, and later periods. The term references both a mythic/geographic river and a specific hydrological feature identified with a perennial spring.

Semantic Range

name of an Edenic river, name of a spring in ancient Jerusalem, gushing water source, site of coronation or ritual

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root גֵּיחַ (gîach), meaning 'to burst forth, gush, break out.' The name Gihon likely signifies 'the bursting forth (of water),' describing the gushing nature of the spring or river. The root ג-י-ח ('to break forth or gush out') forms the basis for the derived noun.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Genesis 2:13, Gihon denotes one of the four rivers flowing from Eden; its precise historical location is unknown, and it has been variously identified with rivers in Africa or Mesopotamia in post-biblical tradition. In the historical books (e.g., 1 Kings 1:33, 38, 45; 2 Chronicles 32:30), Gihon refers to the principal spring on the eastern slope of Jerusalem's ancient city, a crucial water source from patriarchal through monarchic periods. The Jerusalem Gihon was integral to urban water management and rituals, such as the coronation of Solomon. Later, the term 'Gihon' was primarily associated with the spring after Edenic identification receded in significance. English Bible translations, such as 'Gihon' or 'Gihon spring,' do not always distinguish between mythic river and historical spring, potentially obscuring context. In Second Temple and post-exilic literature, the association of Gihon with Jerusalem became more dominant, and later religious traditions linked the place to messianic expectations. The word does not connote any religious identity (Israelite/Judean) itself, but its context may imply significance to those groups.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shortened) גִּחוֹן; from גִּיחַlemma גּיחַ missing vowel, corrected to גִּיחַ; stream; Gichon, a river of Paradise; also a valley (or pool) near Jerusalem; Gihon.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גיח (g-y-ḥ) — to burst forth, to gush, to break out

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1512 גָּחוֹן ventral underside
H1518 גִּיחַ in his bursting forth
H1519 גִּיחַ causing to gush forth
H1520 גִּיחַ Gushing-Place

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1521-02 גִּיח֑וֹן gichon HNp Gihon Bursting-Forth Gichon 4
H1521-03 לְ/גִיח֨וֹן legichon HR/Np to-Gihon to Gushing-Spring to Gichon 1
H1521-01 בְּ/גִח֗וֹן begichon HR/Np at-Gihon at Gushing-Spring in Gichon 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1521-02 Genesis 2:13 גִּיח֑וֹן gichon HNp is Gihon Bursting-Forth Gichon
H1521-02 1 Kings 1:33 גִּחֽוֹן gichon HNp Gihon Bursting-Forth Gichon
H1521-02 1 Kings 1:38 גִּחֽוֹן gichon HNp Gihon Bursting-Forth Gichon
H1521-01 1 Kings 1:45 בְּ/גִח֗וֹן begichon HR/Np at-Gihon at Gushing-Spring in Gichon
H1521-02 2 Chronicles 32:30 גִיחוֹן֙ gichon HNp of Gihon Bursting-Forth Gichon
H1521-03 2 Chronicles 33:14 לְ/גִיח֨וֹן legichon HR/Np to-Gihon to Gushing-Spring to Gichon
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