גַּב (gav)
gav
back/rim/brow
H:NQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun gav describes a convex surface or back, capturing the idea of something that curves outward. It is not limited to human anatomy but extends to any rounded or protruding shape. In its most literal sense, it refers to the back of a person, yet the word also applies to inanimate objects like the boss on a shield or the rim of a wheel.
Its usage reveals a consistent focus on physical prominence and protection. For instance, it appears in descriptions of defensive structures, such as bulwarks or breastworks, emphasizing strength and coverage. In poetic contexts, it can denote the brow or eyebrow, highlighting the upper boundary of the face. The term also carries a darker connotation in references to mounds used for illicit worship, marking these sites as elevated but forbidden spaces.
Translators often render gav as "back," "rim," or "brow" depending on the context, though no single English word captures its full range. The word’s versatility lies in its emphasis on curvature and projection, whether describing the curve of a shield’s boss or the elevated mound of a pagan altar. This physical imagery grounds its occasional metaphorical use, such as referring to arguments as fortified structures.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word gav paints a picture of strength found in curvature. It describes the rounded back of a shield or the sturdy rim of a wheel, shapes designed to absorb impact and protect what lies within. When we see this term applied to human anatomy, such as the brow or the back, it reminds us that our physical bodies are part of God’s good creation, capable of bearing weight and enduring hardship.
In the Psalms, the image of plows breaking up the back speaks to deep suffering, yet even in pain, we are held by a Creator who understands human frailty. The word also appears in descriptions of defensive walls, suggesting that God provides protection for His people. Whether referring to the sturdy rim of a chariot wheel or the brow of a person, gav highlights the beauty and resilience built into the world around us.
This vocabulary invites us to trust in the Lord as our shield and strength. We do not face life’s challenges alone; God surrounds us with protection that is both solid and enduring. May you find comfort in knowing that your Creator fashioned you with care, equipping you to stand firm in faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- defenses/ your1×
- back/ my1×
- and/ rims/ their1×
- [the] eyebrows of1×
- [the] bosses of1×
- [are] <to>/ defenses of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/גַבֵּי\־1×
- וְ/גַבֵּי/הֶ֗ם1×
- גַּבֹּ֣ת1×
- גַּבֵּי/כֶֽם\׃1×
- גַּבֵּ֥י1×
- גַּ֭בִּ/י1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 129:3
The plowers plowed on my back. They made their furrows long.
This verse uses the word to describe the physical suffering of being plowed upon, highlighting the intensity of persecution endured by God's people.
-
I Kings 7:33
The work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel. Their axles, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all of cast metal.
Here the term refers to the rim of a chariot wheel, illustrating its use for the sturdy, curved edge of crafted metal objects.
-
Leviticus 14:9
It shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows. He shall shave off all his hair. He shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his body in water. Then he shall be clean.
The word appears in the context of ritual cleansing, specifically referring to the eyebrows that must be shaved as part of the purification process.